industrial engineering capstone project ideas

Examples of Past Projects - School of Industrial Engineering - Purdue University

Examples of Student Projects

Our students benefit from capstone projects to apply technical skills and hone soft skills. They help industrial sponsors solve real problems and make connections to jump start their careers. This is just a sampling of past projects.

Spring 2023 Capstone Projects

• Applied Fabricators - Preventative and Predictive Maintenance 
• Applied Fabricators - Automated Sheet Stock Palletization
• Arcamed - Manufacturing Layout and Product Flow for Existing and New Space
• Copper Moon Coffee - Supply Chain Cost Optimization
• Clinton Prairie Schools - Food Service
• Clinton Prairie Schools - Transportation
• Descon - Facility Layout and Transition
• Dormakaba - Distribution Center Optimization
• HP - Visualizing Performance Metrics
• HP - Variation to Consumption Analysis
• Integra Life Sciences - Developing a Holistic Ergonomic Solution for Porcine Organ Tissue Extraction Process
• Inventus Power - Manufacturing Improvement Project
• Leadership Southern Indiana - Organizational Impact Dashboard
• MPI Corp - Optimization of Material Movement and Delivery
• MPI Corp - Optimization of the Value Stream for Washer Product Family
• Newbury Franklin Industrials - New Facility Layout
• Northstar Aerospace - Developing Data Driven Metrics & Visual Controls
• PepsiCo - Biodiesel Feasibility
• PepsiCo - Hydrogen Roadmap
• PepsiCo - MPG Optimization
• Phoenix USA RV - RV Parts Digital Library Design
• Photon Automation - Battery Submodule Assembly Line
• Purdue Dining - Refrigerator & Freezer Storage
• Purdue Disability Resource Center - Adaptive Educational Services - IUPUI
• Purdue Industrial Engineering - Manufacturing Lab Launch
• Purdue University North Central Nursing Clinics - Behavioral Health Intake Process Improvement
• Purdue University North Central Nursing Clinics - Improving Patient Flow at Delphi Clinic
• Purdue University North Central Nursing Clinics - Improving Patient Flow at Monon Clinic
• Telamon - Material Staging Flow Optimization
• Thinker Labs - SIBR/STTR Engagement Initiative Process & Tools
• Viewrail - Merge Matterport & Inventor Files
• Warrant Technologies: CMMI Migration V1.3 to V2.0
• Warsaw Chemical - Future State layout
• Modineer - Data Acquisition for Powder Coat Paint Line Decision Making

Fall 2022 Capstone Projects

• Amazon: Reducing Scrap on SLAM Machines
• Amazon: Reducing Downtime on SmartPac Machines
• Amazon: Maintenance Bench Test
• Decatur County and Decatur County Visitors Commission: Solar Eclipse Planning Logistics
• Diesel Forward: Wash Line and High-Pressure Blasting Automation
• Dynamic Metals: Preventative Maintenance
• Gem City Metals: Preventative Maintenance
• GNC: Pallet Put Away Structure Project
• HARPA: Noise Managing Headphones
• Hupp Aerospace/Defense: ERP Recommendation
• Indiana Tourism Association: Solar Eclipse Event Planning
• Northstar Aerospace: Manufacturing Visual Controls
• Penz Products: Insulated Foam Door Process Improvement
• Purdue Student Success Programs: Testing Center Co-Location
• Spencer County Visitors Bureau: Solar Eclipse Planning Logistics
• Tesla: Megapack Production Line Simulation
• Tramec Sloan: Fender Bracket Assembly
• Tramec Sloan: Manufacturing Line Process Improvement
• Tramec Sloan: Save-a-Load Bar
• Woodard, Emhardt, Henry, Reeves & Wagner: Billing Workflow Project

Learn how our students can help you.

Other Examples of Previous Projects

• Maximize (process & supply for) car seat plastics recycling
• Optimize vegetable seed production across multiple global locations
• Initiate a newly purchased hydroponic growth system, layout the area, and assess efficient and effective work flow design
• Optimize bed count with hospital forecasts at multiple Indiana Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) locations  
• Reduce yield loss and environmental impact for our [product] production lines; process flow, identify loss points, quantify, prioritize losses, root cause, plan, implement, and estimated savings
• Design and recommend plant expansion layout: process mapping, flow analysis, simulation (Arena) of throughput and workstation design
• Design and implement a process control for food preparation and service to allergy sufferers in dining and catering services
• Aid data-driven decision making: evaluate and provide cost analysis of an IoT (Internet of Things) manufacturing monitoring platform
• Reduce clinician burnout and increase efficiency regarding electronic medical records activities
• Optimize transportation services to provide easy, safe, and supportive transportation for long term care clients' appointments
• Improve efficiency, effectiveness and accuracy of a sales forecasting model that includes a visualization tool, enabling quicker and more robust decision making
• Create an interactive chat bot for noise repair diagnostics 

Student Project Partners

Are you seeking one-on-one college counseling and/or essay support? Limited spots are now available. Click here to learn more.

149 Capstone Project Ideas & Examples – 2024

June 6, 2024

The word “capstone” originally referred to the decorative, final piece of masonry that would be affixed to the top of a new building. But in terms of schooling, what is a capstone project? Academically, “capstone” is a fitting metaphor, as a capstone project serves as a culminating, crowning illustration of your scholarly work. The capstone project synthesizes the learning you have done in various fields, demonstrates your level of expertise in your specific area of study, and often marks the end or milestone moment of a current study path. In short, it’s a big achievement! In this article, we’ve outlined a few tips for cultivating your perfect capstone thesis and have included a list of capstone project ideas to get you started.

General Capstone Writing Tips

As you select a topic for your capstone project, be sure to consider the following criteria:

Personal Interest . A capstone project is meant to be the culmination of or milestone representing your specific path of study; as such, it should be a project that actually interests you! Perhaps you’ve already been working on a passion project or long-term scholarly paper on a topic that excites you. Or maybe you’ve heard about a specific branch of inquiry within your field that you find compelling and want to explore further. Whether you’re new to a specific capstone subject or have been working on it for a while, it’s important to know that your actual interest in a subject can increase your productivity and learning. [i]

Existing Research . For any new piece of scholarship, it’s crucial to thoroughly understand and acknowledge the current knowledge and findings that exist around your thesis. As an advancing practitioner in your field of study or profession, you should already have a sense of what other scholars and experts have said about your capstone project idea, but this is a moment to fully explore: Who are the major players in this professional or scholarly conversation? What are the most important pieces of research that ground this field of study? What recent innovations have been made in this topic?

Stakes . If you’ve ever been involved in a debate or had to write a persuasive speech , you know that an important question to answer is: “So what?” Why is this capstone project idea important? What will be affected if the ideas in your capstone do or do not come to pass? What exactly is at stake here?

Examples Continued

Stakeholders . The stakeholders of a capstone are those who will be affected by the information in your project. Perhaps you’ve already engaged in community service and have seen a gap that can be filled by your particular area of expertise. Maybe you are one of the stakeholders in your research. In every capstone project, your readers should know who will be most important to your work.

Identify a gap or problem . If you’ve done your research properly, then you now know what current holes or gaps exist in your field. Make sure you frame your capstone so that your audience is aware of the work that needs to be done.

Fill the gap . This is your moment to shine! What is your specific hypothesis? What kind of research will you conduct to prove it? Specifically, how is your work contributing to this field of study? To this profession?

Feasibility and Scope . The last question you need to ask yourself is: Can I actually do this project? Do you have the time and resources to complete the work you’re proposing? Is your capstone actually doable? If you find that your project seems too big, don’t despair! Many capstone project ideas can be narrowed down for specificity and feasibility. Take a look at the example below:

Very broad:

“What are some recent developments in women’s health research?”

More specific and feasible:

“What are the most current findings on early diagnostic testing and maternal health outcomes amongst American women?”

Capstone Project Examples

Below, we’ve listed 150 capstone project examples in various fields. Think of all of these focus questions and ideas as jumping-off points. Some are very broad, while others are much more specific. Your capstone project will most likely fall under the “specific” category (see “feasibility and scope” above), but broader topics and focus questions can get you started down the path of your own particular branch of research.

Computer Science Capstone Project Ideas

1) In what ways does social media influence current developments in information systems and marketing?

2) What recent developments have we seen in natural language processing? What innovations do we hope to see?

3) How is cybersecurity an essential consideration in political and public policy?

4) What is the potential for virtual reality within the fields of mental healthcare and / or physical rehabilitation?

5) How can cybersecurity better function in the healthcare industry?

6) What are current and developing applications for machine learning algorithms?

7) How can we develop more secure data encryption?

8) What are the current needs for development in image processing and design?

9) How does artificial intelligence promise to elevate, innovate, revolutionize, or render obsolete various fields and / or methodologies inside and outside of computer science?

10) What current developments exist in the field of neural networks?

11) In what ways can we develop more efficient data encryption algorithms?

12) What specific roles does computer science play in national defense?

13) Exploring automated testing systems.

14) In what ways have smartphone interfaces changed human behavior? Can we predict future changes?

15) What recent innovations have we seen in cloud computing and what changes can we expect to see in this field?

16) How can we improve specific algorithms that conduct market-based analysis?

17) What are the current most important ethical questions surrounding big data and information systems?

18) What are the current expectations around the development and use of cryptocurrency?

19) What specific relationships exist between national policy and internet censorship?

20) Recent innovations and gaps in _________. (Have you already done some research on a very particular topic? This is your moment to delve more deeply into a branch of computer science that specifically interests you !)

Nursing and Medical Capstone Project Ideas

21) What roles might nurses have in administering pain management and anesthesia?

22) In what ways can we address the country’s nursing shortage?

23) In what ways is the field of nursing expected to change in the near future?

24) What innovations can be made in continuing education for nurses?

25) In what ways can nurse practitioners and PAs function more effectively in primary care and specialty settings?

26) Going forward, what roles can nurses play in mobile health and telemedicine?

27) How can clinical settings improve their mental and emotional health outreach for employees?

28) In what ways do nurses and PAs function in specific research roles (e.g. cancer research)?

29) Development of cultural sensitivity training and eliminating health equity disparities in the nursing field.

30) Recent developments in women’s health initiatives and research.

31) In what ways can communication efficacy be addressed in clinical settings?

32) What is the relationship between medical care and specific public policies?

33) Nursing, management, and leadership roles.

34) In what ways can technology improve nursing and healthcare initiatives?

35) Recent innovations and gaps in _________. (Have you already done some research on a very particular topic? This is your moment to delve more deeply into a branch of medicine or scientific inquiry that specifically interests you !)

Humanities and Arts Capstone Project Ideas

36) How does art function in the political and public spheres?

37) What specific developments have we seen in the field of graphic design in the past decade?

38) Analyzing the relationships between marketing, commercial viability and contemporary literature.

39) In what ways do the humanities function in ecocriticism and the Anthropocene?

40) Social media and communication.

41) What are some recent examples of the relationship between popular culture and political propaganda?

42) Current distinctions between pop culture, avant-garde, and highbrow literature and art.

43) What is the role of philosophy in current public debate?

44) In what ways do / have the humanities function(ed) within and / or outside of the public sphere?

45) What is the role of the digital humanities in ancient / early modern / modern history?

46) What recent developments have we seen in the fields of women’s and gender studies?

47) How has a globalized media culture impacted our views on cultural exchange / postcolonialism / hegemonic power structures?

48) In what ways have sustainability initiatives become an essential part of art, theatre, fashion, film, and literary production?

49) Race, class, gender and / or sexuality, and recent developments in the construction of personal identity.

50) How does appropriation function in the realm of cultural production?

51) What is the current role of cinema in public and political culture?

52) Creativity and new genres in the wake of social media, artificial intelligence and monoculture.

53) How can / do museums and public spaces function as sites of cultural production?

54) In what ways has artificial intelligence begun to shape the arts and humanities?

55) Recent innovations and gaps in ____________. (Have you already done some research on a particular topic? This is your moment to delve more deeply into a branch of humanities research that specifically interests you!)

Engineering Capstone Project Ideas

56) What is the role of engineering in specific manufacturing practices?

57) In what ways are environmental and sustainable efforts transforming various industries (transportation, manufacturing, public use, energy, etc.)?

58) How does artificial intelligence promise to function in various engineering fields?

59) What are the functions of drones in supply chains?

60) How does engineering specifically function in the production and management of public health (water purification and distribution, waste management, etc.)?

61) What recent innovations have we seen in the fields of engineering and defense?

62) Assessing the feasibility of solar power, wind power, etc.

63) In what ways can engineering facilitate specific infrastructure innovations in public spaces?

64) What does the privatization of the aerospace industry demonstrate about the relationship between public and commercial scientific research?

65) In what ways does current engineering promise to disrupt fields like the automotive, manufacturing, aerospace, etc. industries?

66) Examining various uses of 3D printing.

67) What are some recent innovations in electric, geothermal and/ or nuclear energy?

68) What is the current relationship between extraction engineering and the public sphere?

69) How does the field of robotics function in medicine and public health?

70) Recent innovations and gaps in _________. (Have you already done some research on a very particular topic? This is your moment to delve more deeply into a branch of engineering or scientific inquiry that specifically interests you !)

Education Capstone Project Ideas

71) How do charter schools currently function in the education system?

72) What current pathways exist for continuing education in the teaching field?

73) What roles does artificial intelligence play in the future of education?

74) Disciplinary practices and education for early childhood, middle school, high school, etc.

75) Addressing income and resource disparities between public school districts.

76) In what ways does gender currently function in STEM education?

77) In what ways can mental health initiatives more thoroughly benefit students, staff, and educators?

78) In what ways is parental involvement a factor in current curriculum models?

79) What are the advantages and disadvantages of various modes of virtual learning, technology in the classroom, asynchronous learning, e-learning, etc.?

80) How can we address the current teacher shortage?

81) What are the current relationships between politics, public policy, school funding and curriculum development?

82) What recent innovations have we seen in outdoor learning, Montessori schooling, forest schools, eco-education, etc.?

82) How can schools facilitate better curricula and funding for special needs programs?

83) What is the current role of the arts in public education? In private education?

84) What is the relationship between public policy and homeschooling?

85) In what ways do race and class currently function in specific conversations around education?

86) What are current concerns and developments in the practices of school safety?

87) What developments are currently underway in curricula involving interdisciplinary and project-based learning?

88) What benefits and drawbacks currently exist in extracurricular programs and initiatives for students of various age groups?

89) Recent innovations and gaps in _________. (Have you already done some research on a very particular topic? This is your moment to delve more deeply into a branch of education or curriculum planning that specifically interests you !)

Biology Capstone Project Ideas

90) What are some recent developments in the ethics of stem cell research and cloning?

91) How has public disease testing changed since the pandemic?

92) What is the role of the biologist in mining, extraction, and geoengineering?

93) What recent innovations have been made in pesticide production, distribution, and wider use?

94) How can biology serve manufacturing industries to prevent contamination and supply chain stalling?

95) How do specific ecosystems currently function in regard to climate change? What changes are predicted to these ecosystems in the next decade and why?

96) In what ways are biologists’ roles evolving in the development of biomechanical medical devices?

97) What roles do biologists play in understandings of human reproduction and DNA?

98) How are pharmaceutical and recreational drugs currently understood and classified?

99) What recent biological innovations have been made in the production of food? What developments do we foresee in this branch of biology?

100) In what ways are biological systems affected by various forms of energy extraction and consumption (electrical power, gas, wind and solar power, etc.)?

101) How does A.I. promise to affect the roles of biologists in various fields?

102) What current biological threats do we face in terms of biological warfare? How are biologists crucial players in national defense?

103) Explore a relationship between the biochemical signatures of the body and mental wellness / illness.

104) In what specific ways is the organic movement both a biological consideration and a marketing strategy?

105) How do biologists play significant roles in the prevention of spreading infectious diseases?

106) What are the relationships between human population growth or decline and natural ecosystems?

107) How is marine life affected by human activity (recent understandings and developments)?

108) How do biologists function in public and political conversations around sustainability?

109) Recent innovations and gaps in _________. (Have you already done some research on a very particular topic? This is your moment to delve more deeply into a branch of biology that specifically interests you !)

Psychology Capstone Project Ideas

110) What recent developments have been made in research around specific social media platforms and mental health?

111) What roles did the pandemic play in social and mental health amongst particular age groups?

112) How are recent developments in digital communication (“ghosting,” “swiping,” “liking”) indicative of disordered psychological behaviors?

113) Considering particular contexts like time and place, explore the relationships between psychological wellness and gender.

114) Investigate stress reduction efficacy amongst particular populations.

115) What is the role of mental health awareness in policies and conversations around public health?

116) What role does psychology play in pain management?

117) In what ways are clinical psychologists and therapists uniquely poised to conduct empirical research?

118) What recent developments exist in research around various types of trauma?

119) What daily interventions need to be explored in the reduction of anxiety and sleep disorders?

120) What is the developing role of telemedicine and online mental healthcare?

121) In what ways are particular prescription drugs more or less effective when paired with traditional types of psychotherapy?

122) In what ways do companies utilize psychology in marketing and branding?

123) What is the role of the child psychologist in public schools?

124) In what ways can HR departments benefit from on-staff mental health workers?

125) Explore distinctions between child psychologists and early childhood educators.

126) What interventions can be made in the realm of public policy to lessen the social stigma of mental health disorders?

127) How can psychology be used to create more efficient workplaces?

128) In what ways can new technology like apps and AI be implemented in the ongoing care of mental health patients?

129) Recent innovations and gaps in _________. (Have you already done some research on a very particular topic? This is your moment to delve more deeply into a branch of psychology that specifically interests you !)

Business and Accounting Capstone Project Ideas

130) What are the current impacts of globalization on business strategy?

131) How can organizations change communication practices?

132) What are the relationships between sales, brand perception, and social justice movements?

133) In what ways are women perceived and compensated in the finance field? How has this developed over the past decade? What developments remain to be seen?

134) What leadership training programs and strategies best serve managers?

135) Exploring sustainable business practices.

136) In what ways can company structure influence business innovation?

137) What are the current trends and best practices for inter-departmental conflict resolution within businesses?

138) Exploring effects of mergers and acquisitions for specific companies.

139) What is the specific role of HR in performance management amongst employees?

140) Recent explorations of forensic accounting in cases of embezzlement.

141) Perform a case study analysis of a particular taxation policy.

142) What are some important features of the ethics of non-profit accounting?

143) In what ways can we measure international accounting standards?

144) Due to the pandemic, how have budgeting and financial planning methods evolved in recent years?

145) What specific impacts can we predict in the accounting field as a result of AI and other advancing technologies?

146) Perform an analysis of marketing strategies that utilize social media.

147) How can companies maximize consumer engagement in saturated markets?

148 Which technologies and designs are most effective in brand management and dispersion?

149) Recent innovations and gaps in _________. (Have you already done some research on a very particular topic? This is your moment to delve more deeply into a branch of business or accounting that specifically interests you !)

Capstone Project Examples – Works Cited

[i] Kahu, Ella., Karen Nelson, Catherine Picton. “Student Interest as a Key Driver of Engagement for First Year Students.” Student Success. Volume 8, Issue 2, pp. 55-66. July 2017.

• College Success
• High School Success

Jamie Smith

For the past decade, Jamie has taught writing and English literature at several universities, including Boston College, the University of Pittsburgh, and Carnegie Mellon University. She earned a Ph.D. in English from Carnegie Mellon, where she currently teaches courses and conducts research on composition, public writing, and British literature.

• 2-Year Colleges
• Application Strategies
• Best Colleges by Major
• Best Colleges by State
• Big Picture
• Career & Personality Assessment
• College Essay
• College Search/Knowledge
• Costs & Financial Aid
• Data Visualizations
• Dental School Admissions
• Extracurricular Activities
• Graduate School Admissions
• High Schools
• Homeschool Resources
• Law School Admissions
• Medical School Admissions
• Navigating the Admissions Process
• Online Learning
• Outdoor Adventure
• Private High School Spotlight
• Research Programs
• Summer Program Spotlight
• Summer Programs
• Teacher Tools
• Test Prep Provider Spotlight

“Innovative and invaluable…use this book as your college lifeline.”

— Lynn O'Shaughnessy

Nationally Recognized College Expert

College Planning in Your Inbox

Join our information-packed monthly newsletter.

Home > Research > Student Research > Senior Projects > Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

The Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering Department’s “learn by doing” philosophy is emphasized in the curriculum by the large number of design-centered laboratories, integrating design throughout the curriculum, and the senior project capstone design experience. These prepare graduates for careers in: operations management, production planning and scheduling, facility design, human factors design, data analysis and decision-making, quality control and reliability, economic and resource planning, and process improvement.

Modified from ime.calpoly.edu

Senior Projects from 2024 2024

Smart Manufacturing for Cal Poly's IME Curriculum , Grace L. Guarraia and Eric F. Ledesma

Barcode Medication Administration (BMCA): 2023-24 , Krishan R. Patel, Carlos E. Sosa, and Mary Grace Sy

Senior Projects from 2023 2023

Recor-DIY , Maxwell W. Ferrer

Senior Projects from 2022 2022

Increasing Legends Salon Revenue Per Square Foot , Jacob William Andreatta, Margaret Faison Gustafson, Julia Galina Odisho, and Joshua Spry Morrison

Deep Ocean Vehicle (DOV) Scientific Payload , Nichole "Nikki" T. Arm, Mason Gariepy, Brianna Roberts, and Kyle C. Walsh

SunSation’s Solar Powered Picnic Table , Michelle M. Barnett, Christopher Barber, Casey Durham, and David Mason

Bike to the Future , Wanjiku Gichigi, Luisa Shu Yi Chiu, Alexander Kalman Dunn, and Georgia Ann Holmes

Multifamily Complex Smart Locks for Property Management and Tenant Security , April Mills, Allen Chen, Dana Kumamoto, and Michael Cook

Radiology Associates Medical Scan Forecasting , Everett M. Notaro, Mitchell Carpenter, Tyler Deis, and Kimberly Williams

Technical Inventory Management for College of Liberal Arts , Sofya Shatalova

Eagle Medical Tray Denesting & Debris Removal Process , Nicholas Allen Ungefug, Noah Chavez, Susana Shu-Lin Okhuysen, and Michael Augustine Pennington

Senior Projects from 2021 2021

The VIBE TR Series: Fit-Widget Bracelet , Angela Michelle Colabella, Molly Rodda, Emma Paige Neal, and Joey Chen

Hand Strength and Dexterity Enhancer , Julia Ann Denison, Autumn B. Rexford, Melissa A. Kurani, and Christina K. Fong

Standardizing Patient Generated Sleep and Step Data for Evidation Health , Jade DeSmet, Monroe Erle, and Jamie Cullen

Inventory Locating with Quuppa: The Design and Development of a Real-Time Process Monitoring Web Application Solution , Dylan C. Moreland, Trevor J. Howell, John W. Takiff, Patrick S. Dillon, Theo E. Fritz, and William K. McIntyre

Senior Projects from 2020 2020

Utilization and Standardization of Beverage Based Containers , Michael T. Bobke, Jack C. Maughan, and Kenia Vargas

Parklets San Luis , Owen Kenny, Preston Jag Stebel, Leonidas Goodman, and Lukas Braun

Effects of Powder Recycling in Selective Laser Melting , Nina L. Menon

Rebar Impalement Safety , Spencer C. Nefores and Steven M. Hoover

Senior Projects from 2019 2019

Cisco Nexus 9200 Robustness Redesign , Colin Berge, Ethan Gold, Cole Christopherson, and Rahul Makhijani

Process Improvement and Lift Design for the Installation of a Metrology Machine Assembly , Dalt J. Lasell, James Mitchell O'Meara, and Matthew Steensma

Automation of Data Analysis in Formula 1 , Adam Joseph Mourad, Prescott Jeanne Delzell, and Patrick Conner McCabe

Redesign of CubeSat for Beam Charging , Kuba Preis

Senior Projects from 2018 2018

Atlas Copco Mafi-Trench Co. Inventory Management , Logan E. Barr and Sean P. McGaffigan

Improving Efficiencies for the Loading and Packaging Departments at San Luis Sourdough , Alexis Bergstrom, Isabella Pereira, and Claudia Robinson

Page 1 of 11

Advanced Search

• Notify me via email or RSS
• Disciplines
• Collections

Author Corner

• Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo
• Robert E. Kennedy Library
• Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering Department

Undergraduate Research Commons | Cal Poly Website Accessibility Statement | bepress Accessibility Statement

Privacy Copyright

Penn State    |    College of Engineering  

Search this site Search Penn State Search PSU People Search PSU Depts. Web

• Interest Areas & Applications
• Human Factors/Ergonomics
• Manufacturing
• Operations Research
• Operations, Services, and Analytics
• Faculty Research Interests
• Research Centers & Initiatives
• Center for e-Design
• Center for Innovative Materials Processing through Direct Digital Deposition
• Center for Health Organization Transformation
• Consortium for Digital Enterprises
• Initiative for Sustainable Electric Power Systems
• Service Systems Engineering Initiative
• Undergraduate Research Program
• Research Labs
• Additive Manufacturing and Reverse Engineering Lab
• Benjamin W. Niebel Work Design Lab
• Bridging Research in Innovation, Technology, and Engineering Lab
• Complex Systems Monitoring, Modeling, and Controls Lab
• Design Analysis Technology Advancement Lab
• Distributed Intelligent Systems and Controls: Research, Education, and Technology Lab
• Engineering Statistics and Machine Learning Lab
• Factory for Advanced Manufacturing Education Lab
• Human Performance Assessment and Modeling Lab
• Human Subjects Testing Lab
• Human-Technology Interaction Laboratory
• Laboratory for Intelligent Systems and Analytics
• Materials Processing and Characterization Lab
• Precision and Quality Measurements Lab
• Process Mechanics/Workholding Lab
• Service Engineering and Applied Optimization Lab
• CAD/CAM Lab
• Computer Classroom
• Leonhard Knowledge Commons
• Quick Links
• Support IME
• IME Faculty
• Emeritus Faculty
• Affiliate Faculty List
• Staff Directory
• Doctoral Students
• Master’s Students
• Undergraduate
• Prospective

Capstone Design Projects

• Job Shadowing
• Undergraduate Student Handbook
• Degree Options
• Resident Programs
• Online Programs
• Funding Opportunities
• Graduate Courses
• Graduate Student Life
• How to Apply
• Graduate Student Handbook
• Academic Calendar
• Career Resources
• Diversity Programs
• Scholarships
• Student Organizations
• Study Abroad
• Factory for Advanced Manufacturing Education
• Graduate Student Lounge
• Advisory Boards
• Industrial and Professional Advisory Council
• Service Systems Engineering Advisory Board
• Cast Metal Industry Advisory Committee
• Engagement Opportunities
• Giving Opportunities
• Employer Relations
• Co-ops and Internships
• Intellectual Property Policies
• Penn State Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering Society
• Penn State Engineering Alumni Society
• Penn State Alumni Association
• M. Jeya Chandra Fund
• A. "Ravi" Ravindran Fund

The corporate-sponsored projects program in industrial engineering (IE 480W: Capstone Design Project) is an industry-university partnership that integrates design, manufacturing, service engineering, and business realities into the engineering curriculum. The program provides a unique opportunity for industry to partner with Penn State to help educate the next generation of world-class engineers.

Interdisciplinary teams of students work together to tackle projects sponsored by industrial clients. These teams collaborate with engineering faculty, who serve as mentors and advisers, to devise ideas to solve engineering problems. Students take these ideas from concept to reality by designing, prototyping, and simulating real solutions in state-of-the-art facilities. This program challenges students to apply the knowledge and tools acquired during their undergraduate education to solve real-world engineering problems.

Benefits to become a sponsor include:

• Fresh ideas and solutions to real engineering problems
• Low cost, low risk investigation of “back-burner” ideas
• Identifying talent for employment
• Corporate exposure on campus
• Project management experience for junior staff engineers
• Improving engineering education at Penn State
• Networking with other companies and Penn State faculty
• Identifying opportunities for future research projects

How to become a sponsor:

Capstone design projects are organized by the Penn State Learning Factory .

Home of the first established industrial engineering program in the world, the Harold and Inge Marcus Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering (IME) at Penn State has made a name for itself in the engineering industry through its storied tradition of unparalleled excellence and innovation in research, education, and outreach.

We are Innovators. We are Makers. We are Excellence in Engineering. We are Penn State IME.

• Privacy and Legal Statements
• Accessibility
• University Hotlines
• Email Webmaster

The Harold and Inge Marcus Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

310 Leonhard Building

The Pennsylvania State University

University Park, PA 16802-4400

Phone: 814-865-7601

FAX: 814-863-4745

Best Capstone Project Ideas for Engineering Students

“Projects that we have completed demonstrate what we know-future projects decide what we will learn”

                                                                        -Dr. Mohsin Tiwana

We learn more from life from the things that we experience than from the things that we read in books and classes because theoretical knowledge doesn't give us practical experiences. That is why we need to do projects, and when it comes to doing engineering, then doing projects is must, I mean If you have put those 4 years of your life in learning engineering and its subjects then what is its use If you can’t work on a project by using and upgrading your project?

So, the next thing that haunts each one of us before thinking of doing something new is where to start from?

Well, then you are at the right place because here I am going to discuss with you some good capstone or let's say it some good capstone engineering projects that you can have a good time with!

Have you checked out our projects on Mechanical yet? Mechanical Kit will be shipped to you and you can build using tutorials. You can start with a free demo today!

1. 3D Printer

2. Automobile Prototyping

3. CNC Machine using Arduino

4. Project Management with Primavera

So, Are You Ready For It!

Learn more about capstone projects

What is a capstone Project in Engineering?

A capstone project is the research work of a student for a year or more, in which the student selects a particular topic and does the required research by gaining information from all the possible sources that he/she can.

This lets the student in having a better understanding of the subject and give an edge over others because others have just studied theoretical skills but you have gone in-depth and understood the subject.

Practical experiences are always appreciated more than the theory because that’s where your real knowledge is tested.

Sounds cool! Right?

Now, let’s come to some best capstone engineering project ideas!

Explore more capstone projects

Latest projects on Mechanical

Want to develop practical skills on Mechanical? Checkout our latest projects and start learning for free

Best capstone engineering project ideas

1. Home Automation Using IoT

Anyone who denies from the idea of automatically working homes is lying for sure because we humans are always super-duper lazy in doing households and keep looking for the easiest ways in which we don't have to work? Sounded Relatable?

Well, then we can make a capstone engineering project in which you can learn how to pair all your electronic home appliances with Bluetooth so that they can perform the given task on your own by one click or command by the simple IoT applications.

Learn more about this project

Skyfi Labs helps students develop skills in a hands-on manner through Mechanical Online Courses where you learn by building real-world projects.

You can enrol with friends and receive kits at your doorstep.

You can learn from experts, build working projects, showcase skills to the world and grab the best jobs. Start Learning Mechanical today!

2. Animatronic Hand:

What if you could create a machine that could be controlled just by your hand and finger gestures or facial expressions or a robot intimating animal.

Well, such robots are called Animatronic Hand!

These also imitate humans and animals.

This capstone engineering project will help you in understanding the making and working of this Animatronic Hand

By working on servo motors which will act as actuators with the design, fabrication and flex sensors,

You will also get to work with Ardunio Architecture and its programming

3. Smart Energy Meter using GSM:

The generation and supply of electrical energy are one of the widest used applications of electrical engineering.

This capstone engineering project is a great learning source for the students who want to go in the field of energy generation and control and talking about this smart energy meter then this is called smart because it keeps and gives the record of total energy consumed and the energy lost via sending SMS periodically so that the unnecessary loss of  energy can be avoided

This project also involves Arduino Architecture and its Programming. Along with it, you will learn about the electrical loads and measurement and the working and the application of the GSM technology.

4. Home Automation System:

Home automation is a kind of project you will always have fun working with, this project is unlike the earlier discussed Home automation project, as it has so much more to learn like the system framework of home automation, then you will learn about the Bluetooth communication.

That’s all? No dear, along with this you will also learn about the relay driver circuits and also about the 8051 architecture and its programming!

5. Solar and Smart Energy Systems

The solar energy obtained from the sun’s rays is a renewable source of energy and that’s the reason Solar energy and its smart energy generation are something which will never go out of trend, at least till the earth is getting sun rays in abundance.

This is one of the reasons electrical engineering is more persued and job secured as electrical energy is also used for the generation of energy in big plants and industries.

Hence, to enhance such energy generation skills and knowledge one must learn about the  Solar energy and smart energy systems.

This project will help you in the study of the IR sensors and its applications. You will also get an idea about the Solar and Smart energy system frameworks.

Along with it, you will learn about the working of the solar panels and the application of Ardunio Architecture and its programming.

6. Automatic Solar Tracker

As discussed earlier solar energy is among the most used and most in-demand resources, and automatic solar energy tracking is an important skill to learn because not only sunlight alone matters but also obtaining it from the right direction matters to make the most out of it.

And such Electrical project helps one in gaining more and more industrial exposure and giving one an edge over others.

In this capstone project, you will learn about the working of solar energy systems, along with it you will also learn about the photoresistors in the electronic systems and will have to work with Arduino Architecture and planning.

Learn more about Automatic solar tracker

7. 3D Printer

No doubt 3D printing is the future of every developing nation and as the technology will keep on going forward the demand for the people who know 3D printing will keep on increasing.

Therefore, knowing, understanding and practising 3D printing with a self build-up 3D printer will give you an edge over others.

By working on this capstone project, you can easily print out a 3D object from a CAD model. This course involves the application of Ardunio programming with additive manufacturing and the use of RAMPS Board, SMPS &motor Driver.

8. Smart Traffic Lightening Systems:

The traffic in the world is increasing as the population of the world is increasing.

Urbanization is on the rise and day-by-day different methods and systems are getting used to making things smarter and smarter.

So, it is the same trying to be done with the traffic lights. This capstone engineering project will help you in making smart traffic lighting systems.

Any kind of Ardunio, electrical, mechanical or mechatronic projects can be picked up as a capstone project like:

• Automation with PLC
• Persistence of Vision
• PCB Manufacturing
• Health Monitoring wearable

For more information about good capstone projects for engineering you may go on the links below:

• Mechatronic capstone project
• Raspberry-pi capstone project
• Electronics capstone project
• Mechanical capstone project

I hope you got some good capstone projects from this article. If you have any queries let us know in the comments section.

Join 250,000+ students from 36+ countries & develop practical skills by building projects

Get kits shipped in 24 hours. Build using online tutorials.

Blogs you might like on Mechanical

Subscribe to our blog.

Stay up-to-date and build projects on latest technologies

☎ Have a Query?

• Request Information
• Find Faculty & Staff
• Info For Toggle Info Return to Menu Menu
• Search Open Search Close Search
• Message from the Chair
• Department Directory
• Undergraduate Studies
• Graduate Studies
• Co-op & Experiential Learning
• Research Themes
• Research Centers
• Faculty and Staff Directory
• Annual Reports
• Honors & Distinctions
• Faculty Authored Textbooks
• Faculty Hiring
• Student Groups
• MIE Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
• Industrial Advisory Board
• Resources for Current Students
• Internal Department Portal
• In the Media
• Spotlight Stories

Capstone Senior Design (Capstone) is the final required course for the Bachelor’s degree; it provides the opportunity for students to integrate their curricular and experiential journeys into a multi-semester team project with a real-world outcome.

The Capstone experience applies the engineering sciences and other knowledge domains to the design of a system, component, product, process, and/or set of research inquiries. The Capstone projects reflect current, practical, and relevant industrial and mechanical engineering design projects or may involve a combination of both disciplines. Students bid for or develop their team’s particular design project with the approval of appropriate faculty.  In the project assignment process, design teams are self-formed, or configured of students with similar interest areas. Each project includes the use of open-ended problems, development and application of research and design methodologies, formulation of design problem statements and specifications, generation and consideration of alternative solutions, along with safety, usability and feasibility considerations, and detailed system descriptions. It also includes realistic constraints such as economic factors, sustainability, along with global and social impact, to name a few.  Throughout the Capstone experience, students are also challenged to think and act as a ‘team’ and to consider how notions of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging affect their decisions, actions, and results.

Capstone projects are often sponsored by outside clients, including early-stage ventures arising from NU’s Entrepreneurial Ecosystem.  Sometimes, ambitious student-proposed technical ideas can (and have) become startup ventures themselves.

Sponsor a Project

The breadth of engineering challenges, both ME and IE, reflect the diversity of the project sponsors. Our sponsors, both corporate and non-profits, range from the aerospace industry to biomedical and regional hospitals. Department faculty sponsor projects for related to their research interests and for custom equipment for their research labs and, increasingly, students enter the program bringing their own sophisticated projects.

In many respects, our project sponsors are the life blood of the program. They bring current real world problems to the students and expect real solutions. Sponsors want to know the patent searches will be done and that intellectual property rights have been considered and protected.

The project sponsors must provide a contact person and are expected to provide timely feedback and interactions. The project should include a prototype deliverable or implemented solution. A “not for work” grant to be negotiated and expensive required items for the prototype are requested from the sponsor. Northeastern will provide computer simulation and basic machining processes. It is usually for the corporate sponsor and Capstone Design Coordinator to discuss and negotiate the details of this arrangement. Protection of the sponsor’s intellectual property is a major concern throughout this process.

At the beginning of the two semester sequence, the students self-assemble into groups and, after reviewing project descriptions, indicate their preferences. The preferences are used to assign the projects. Once projects are assigned, the students meet with their faculty advisor weekly and with representatives of the sponsor, through onsite visits, Skype or teleconferences, on a basis determined by the sponsor. The evaluation and reporting processes are tightly structured. The program culminates with a day long series of public presentations judged by a panel of our alumni.

The Young Engineers Guide To University Capstone Projects

Engineering degrees are as wide and varied as the potential careers on offer out in the real world. There’s plenty of maths to learn, and a cavalcade of tough topics, from thermodynamics to fluid mechanics. However, the real challenge is the  capstone project. Generally taking place in the senior year of a four-year degree, it’s a chance for students to apply everything they’ve learned on a real-world engineering project.

Known for endless late nights and the gruelling effort required, it’s an challenge that is revered beforehand, and boasted about after the fact. During the project, everyone is usually far too busy to talk about it. My experience was very much along these lines, when I undertook the Submarine That Can Fly project back in 2012.  The project taught me a lot about engineering, in a way that solving problems out of textbooks never could. What follows are some of the lessons I picked up along the way.

It’s A Team Game

Engineering is a team sport, and a big capstone project will drill this into you quickly. The bigger the project, the larger the team, and it’s important to learn how to work in such an environment in order to succeed. I led a team of seven other budding engineers, who aimed to design, build and test a flying submersible vehicle in just under twelve months.

In that team, there were a mixture of personalities, skills and cultures. Keeping this in mind is key to getting the best out of your people. There’s little to be gained by demanding your orthodox Jewish team mate show up to work on Saturday morning, just as it makes little sense to put your fluid mechanics expert on to dreary stress analysis problems. A happy team is a productive team, and it generally makes sense to play to your strengths where possible. Understanding your team is key if your project is to be a pleasant experience, or a disaster.

We were lucky to have a broad spectrum of abilities across the team. One member stepped up to manage the team’s documentation, becoming a pro at LaTeX. Another put his modelling abilities to work on the CAD side of things, while another ran the stability calculations to ensure we’d have a working aircraft at the end of the day.

Obviously, it was important for all team members to have an idea of the greater scope of the project, but allowing team members to find their niche helped everyone buy in to the greater whole. Sometimes, difficult decisions had to be made, and there will always be work that nobody wants to do. But by sharing tasks carefully and with everyone contributing to the best of their abilities, we were able to achieve more as a team.

Get this right, and you’ll have a less stressful project, and finish with a group of lifelong friends. Get this wrong, and you’ll get destroyed in the peer assessment and never want to talk to your team again. You’ll be spending a whole year in the trenches together, so make sure you choose the right people!

You’re Gonna Have A Lot Of Meetings

Unfortunately, when you’re working with other people, you’re gonna have to have meetings to keep everyone abreast of developments. This goes for team members, as well as outside stakeholders such as sponsors or project supervisors. If managed poorly, these meetings can become excessively long and tiresome, so it’s important to stay on top of things.

Agendas should be short, sharp, and shiny – and provided in advance. It’s a massive waste of time if you’ve called a meeting and nobody has brought the necessary materials because you didn’t make it clear beforehand. It’s likely your project supervisor is a professor who is busy with all manner of other things, and won’t tolerate such mistakes, so don’t make them in the first place.

It’s also important to keep discussions on topic. Don’t spend 40 minutes discussing the relative merits of fiberglass versus carbon fiber when you haven’t even decided on a basic layout for your vehicle, as an example. These things happen quite naturally, but it’s important to pull the conversation back to the key agenda topics if you’re going to get out of the room before sundown.

Finally, it pays to learn when you’re communicating effectively. If you’re raising your voice or stating the same thing over and over again, and people still aren’t understanding you, it’s likely time to change tack. You may need to understand their position first, before beginning to explain your own. Also, drawing a diagram often helps. Or in my case, getting someone else to draw a diagram because your own skills are somewhat lacking – Thanks, Lara!

Making Stuff Is Hard

If you’re lucky, you’ll go to a university with a well-equipped machine shop. They’ll let you spend untold hours turning out parts, and you’ll graduate with a great appreciation of the machinist’s craft. We weren’t so lucky, and instead had to prepare drawings to have our parts produced by the university’s own machining staff. This in itself is a powerful learning experience, as it’s important to be able to create drawings to standard that can be properly interpreted by others.

Between the university’s workshop and our CNC machining sponsor, we learned from experienced operators what works and what doesn’t in a variety of machining methods. Sitting down in meetings with our production partners, we were able to learn from their decades of experience. We set about refining our parts to cut production costs to the bone, something we likely wouldn’t have thought to do had we been let loose ourselves on the tools. Learning from the pros about how to minimise set ups and avoid repetitive tool changes reduced our costs by a factor of ten.

There were also pitfalls along the way. Our composites knowledge was weak, and we were trying to do some things a little unconventionally. Combined with a miscommunication, our wings ended up twice as heavy as intended, significantly harming our flight performance. Capstone projects are strictly time-limited due to the constraints of the degree, and a small mistake such as this one proved difficult to remedy after the fact. It’s important to stay sharp and detail oriented, from start to finish.

Don’t Forget About Presentation

A significant part of a capstone project is documenting and presenting the project. The reality is, many capstone projects fail to achieve all of the lofty goals they set out to reach at the start of the year. Ours was no exception – our flying submarine did become airborne, but failed to achieve a submersible mission before deadline. Despite this, the true purpose of the capstone project is to learn – and our documentation and presentations reflected this.

We were able to discuss the stability criteria and structural requirements for a fixed-wing submersible vehicle. Our testing regime had highlighted the viability of using a single ducted thruster for both air and underwater propulsion. We’d also learned how to build effective thrust testing rigs, as well as unconventional wing structures with some success. In this regard, we had a lot to show for our work, and many other teams were in the same position.

By producing clear documentation of our work, and presenting our final seminar with clarity and focus, we were able to communicate to the audience and markers the value of our project. This in turn led to us achieving solid grades, which is what we were all there for in the first place!

In summary…

If you’re approaching your capstone project, a little prep work done early can go a long way. Find a project you’re passionate about, and assemble a team of students with the right attitude and skills to get the job done. Prepare yourself for the inevitable mistakes along the way, and soak up as much knowledge as you can from the people who are there to help you. Your capstone project can be a great stepping stone towards your eventual career , so it pays to get it right. Good luck with your studies, and if you’re doing something really great, you may just want to let us know!

Read more from this series: Young Engineer's Guide

8 thoughts on “ the young engineers guide to university capstone projects ”.

Would that I could have chosen my project. Our Capstone projects were assigned, and unfortunately I was assigned to a project that frankly didn’t contain much to interest me, as it had nothing to do with my engineering concentration, (predominantly a mechanical/industrial project), and was sponsored by a company that decided to kill the project some time during our second semester without telling us.

I spent one of the longest amd most frustrating years of my life trying to be useful as an electrical engineer on a project that legitimately only needed an electrical engineer for just about a single day of work. My entire contribution from the electrical side was sizing an AC motor, the correct wire gauge, and the very rudimentary ladder logic needed to run it from a foot pedal and incorporating an end stop. It took me about 30 mins it, and about 3 times that to write up and diagram. To make matters worse, someone felt that these moderate tasks needed not one EEs, but rather two! I did what I could to help in other areas, but mostly I was relegated to documentation and administrative tasks. I wish I had fond memories of Capstone, but frankly I feel like it was a huge waste of time and money.

Oh man, that is terrible! I can’t imagine who thinks assigning capstone projects is a good idea. Sorry you had to go through that bud, I agree, waste of time and money.

One thing I’d note is that every university is different when it comes to these types of projects. We were teams of two or three, corporate sponsorship were not common, and projects focused on functionality, not fluff (presentations). IMO, you are going to school to be an engineer, not a marketing person, graphic designer, manager, or a sales person. Why is so much emphasis put on those things at some universities? If they want custom graphics, flashy presentations, and structured management, why doesn’t the university get the relevant schools involved in the project?! I mean, a lot of engineers dabble in other ‘arts’ like graphic design and project management, but that isn’t what you are paying the university for. Just seems silly.

I loved my project. I was already working so I didn’t spend as much time as I should have on it, but it worked!

The presentation portion of a capstone project isn’t about marketing, it’s about communicating what was accomplished and how the technology works. This is a critical part of the engineering process. It doesn’t have to be flashy and marketing like, but it does need to be clear and concise; achieving both is an invaluable skill to a competent engineer. I can’t tell you how many engineers I’ve worked that didn’t have this skill and how hard it’s been to communicate with them. Ultimately just about all had their careers severely limited by this deficiency.

Just about everything in this article relates directly to work where I am juggling about 6 -10 projects at a time. While I haven’t done a capstone project, I would certainly consider a technical capstone project on a resume as prep for life in IT.

Fort Hays State University has a capstone class for IT (information networking and telecom) bachelor of science students. I don’t know what it entails (I didn’t do the BS program, only the MS), and I can’t find a concise description of the class, but it seems appropriate for perspective future administrators and analysts.

Different universities and countries have slightly different systems obviously.

Here in the UK they’re just called a final year project – and they aren’t necessarily team based. I did a solo project for mine. Anyway – I think there’s a couple of things you can add to this list that are worth bearing in mind (I think!). Obviously these are based around having some choice over your final year project.

1: Choose something that interests you :

Its a lot of work and you’ll be driving yourself – that’s much, much harder if you’re not interested. You’ll naturally put more work in and do better if you care about the project. A good project, that you’re interested in doesn’t just serve you well at uni, but in your first job interviews you’ll have something to talk about. Something you can talk about animatedly, will take you a long way.

2 : Make sure there’s different types of skills involved :

Couple of reasons for this. It allows you to demonstrate an understanding of how different “tools” interact and apply more of what you’ve learned. It also reduces your exposure to failure. So rather than a project that solely focuses on say, FEA or a build and test of something, choose one that involves some simpler FEA and a build and test. If one element of your project is unsuccessful then you’ll still have plenty to talk about.

3 : Don’t over-reach :

It’s easy to get sucked in at the beginning into dreaming up a project that you’ll struggle to deliver. Understand what you need to reach a minimum viable result. It’s better to do something more modest and do it really well than try and try to deliver the moon on a stick – and end up with a stick. The best thing would be something that you can scale up or down depending on . There’s a lot going on in you’re final year – be kind to yourself.

4. There’s a good story in failure as well as success :

“The best laid schemes of mice and men go oft astray” or “shit happens”. If stuff doesn’t work out how you’d planned – fail well. Test results give you a different answer than you were expecting – concentrate on showing how your original assumptions have been challenged by reality.

Thanks for the bit about being cool with Orthodox Jews and Sabbath. I am one and I have had my troubles with university group partners and employers. We can be the best(or worst we are human) part for the job but I greatly appreciate working with people who can treat my day off and what I can/can’t eat etc as a fact on a datasheet rather than passive aggression or openly begging I break my rules. I do not exclusively exist for a team or an employer and a day away form your topic a week and some other rules are part of getting me or others of my tribe who don’t roll on shabbos to work with you, these rules probably also contribute to better mental health as we do take time away from work to have family or at least away time.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Please be kind and respectful to help make the comments section excellent. ( Comment Policy )

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Never miss a hack

If you missed it.

The SS United States : The Most Important Ocean Liner We May Soon Lose Forever

The Amstrad E-m@iler, The Right Product With The Wrong Business Model

The Book That Could Have Killed Me

Can You Freeze-Dry Strawberries Without A Machine?

Taking A Look Underneath The Battleship New Jersey

Our columns.

Hackaday Links: June 30, 2024

Danger Is My Middle Name

Hackaday Podcast Episode 277: Edible Robots, A Personal Eclipse, And DIY PCBs To Die For

This Week In Security: Kaspersky Ban, Project Naptime, And More

FLOSS Weekly Episode 789: You Can’t Eat The Boards

By using our website and services, you expressly agree to the placement of our performance, functionality and advertising cookies. Learn more

Senior capstone design projects in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering

Course objectives:.

The goal of the capstone design course is for students to apply their full engineering and general engineering education to a new and important problem which is amenable to an engineering solution and present their results. The course will develop and refine students’ abilities in this context by planning and organizing a term project, evaluating design alternatives with supporting engineering analysis, applying appropriate engineering standards, assessing and optimizing designs from the customer perspective, and presenting final designs.

Course Topics :

• Problem Recognition
• Problem Formulation
• Customer Needs identification
• Product Specification
• Engineering Standards
• Concept Generation
• Evaluation/Selection of Concepts
• Principles of Life Cycle Design
• Prototyping
• Poster Competition

Integrative Experience:

Engineering solutions are almost always created in response to some societal need. Understanding the need is central to success in engineering design and an engineer must understand the economic, social, political, sustainability and environmental contexts in which the need arises. Therefore, as engineering students embark on the problem identification phase of engineering design they have the opportunity to reflect and draw on the knowledge they have gained through their General Education courses and then integrate this with the engineering knowledge they have gained in their major. More specifically, by employing the broad knowledge they gain from experiences in economics, psychology, sociology and history, students are better equipped to understand how an engineering solution will be accepted and will address societal needs. This kind of reflection goes beyond understanding in the separate disciplines by considering, for example, how economic, safety and environmental issues compete and complement each other and by observing how their own perspectives on these issues have evolved.

Project Overview:

Mechanical Engineering:  The objective is to identify a design need, develop engineering specifications for the product, and design, develop and fabricate hardware related to your design project.

Industrial Engineering:  The objectives are to (1) design, develop, implement, and/or improve an integrated system or systems that include people, materials, information, equipment and energy and (2) to use appropriate analytical, computational, and experimental practices in the context of an integrated system; demonstrating skills and knowledge indicative of a capstone project.

This means that the project should require a higher-level of engineering knowledge and skills than found in sophomore and junior-level design classes. Thus, the project must involve significant use of engineering tools and standards, the results of which are used to inform decisions. There are several project formats as part of the course.

• ME or IE Student Concepts:  The top student proposals based on innovation and feasibility will be selected for development. Selected ME projects can be one or two semester projects; IE projects will be two semester projects.
• ME/ECE Collaborative Senior Capstone Design:  Teams of two ME students will be paired with two Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) students to develop a student concept project. Note that ECE teams start forming in March of their junior year. ME students selecting this option will complete ECE 415 and 416 during their senior year in lieu of MIE 415 (ECE 415 will satisfy a ME technical elective – the only one permitted outside of MIE courses).
• ME/Nursing Collaborative Senior Capstone Design:  Teams of four ME students will be paired with a Nursing student to develop assistive technology. Students will work with clients to identify issues they face and develop engineering solutions to mitigate them. Teams will work with clients who live in the area and will be required to travel to their location. Prof. Cynthia Jacelon in nursing will also co-advise the team along with the course instructors.
• ME Semester-Long Industry Sponsored:  Companies have sponsored senior design projects relevant to their business. For these projects, students will work directly with a technical contact at the company to develop an engineering solution to their problem. Students will be expected to be in regular contact with the industry sponsor and present their progress throughout the semester. Travel within MA or CT maybe required for some projects.
• ME or IE Year-Long Industry Sponsored:  For year-long projects, ME students will enroll in MIE 497M (a ME technical elective) in the fall semester and MIE 415 in the spring semester. Year-long ME projects are expected to make a prototype demonstration at the end of the first semester. As in IE Student Concept projects, the fall semester will focus on proposal development and the spring semester is dedicated to completing the project.

Project Requirements.  This team-based capstone project must also meet several requirements. These include the following:

• It must demonstrate an ability to design (or redesign) a mechanical system to meet desired needs within realistic constraints such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability, and sustainability. [1]
• It must demonstrate an understanding of the project’s potential impact in a global, economic, environmental, and societal context. [2]
• It must demonstrate skills and knowledge indicative of a capstone design project. This means that the project should require a higher-level of engineering knowledge and skills than found in sophomore and junior-level design classes. Thus, the project must involve significant use of engineering tools and standards, the results of which are used to inform design decisions.  Models used to predict the behavior and optimize the design. Evaluation of the design must be performed.
• Your design (or some portion of the design) must be realized in hardware that helps validate the design concept.

[1] This is an  ABET  ( A ccreditation  B oard for  E ngineering and  T echnology) requirement.

[2] This is an  ABET  ( A ccreditation  B oard for  E ngineering and  T echnology) requirement.

• Assistive technology and universal design . Assistive technology helps people with physical disabilities perform tasks which otherwise would be difficult or impossible. A common example of assistive technology is a hearing aid. In universal design a product is designed to maximize its usability, including by people with disabilities.
• Industry sponsored project.  Many students engage in summer internships or ‘coop’ engineering experiences with companies. Such work experiences will often provide real-world design opportunities that may be appropriate to address in the context of a capstone design project. Such a project requires buy-in by management at the company, as well as a technical point of contact who is able to interact with student teams and provide the necessary information (customer needs, design specifications, etc.) and resources.
• Home physical therapy equipment.  This application domain is rich for new and creative design solutions.  Examples include specialized strengthening or range of motion equipment for patients with medical conditions, such as stroke victims who experience weakness on one side of the body. 
• Product testing equipment.  This domain is very application dependent, as it involves the design and development of specialized equipment to test a product. For example, a shoe manufacturer may be interested in testing the energy absorption and/or energy release mechanism of a new composite running shoe design. To do this the shoe needs to be loaded and unloaded thousands of times in a manner realistic to its intended application, and data must be gathered that measures the shoe performance.
• Cardiovascular exercise equipment.  While there are many cardiovascular exercise products on the market, such as treadmills, stair masters, elliptical machines, and stationary bicycle trainers, few are affordable, lightweight, easily and quickly collapsible, and highly compact for storage.

This is not intended to be an inclusive list. You are free to propose design project ideas based on your interests and/or interactions with industry and other UMass departments.

Global footer

• ©2024 University of Massachusetts Amherst
• Site policies
• Non-discrimination notice
• Accessibility
• Terms of use

• Industrial and Management Systems Engineering Home
• Undergraduate

Senior Design Capstone Project

The WVU Industrial Engineering Capstone Program aims to develop mutually-beneficial relationships with businesses in the community and senior-level Industrial Engineering students, by providing free-of-cost industrial engineering support. The WVU IECP supports and coordinates the senior design projects for graduating seniors from the ABET-accredited Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering program.

We are continuously looking for senior design projects to i) provide student learning experiences and ii) uphold the land-grant mission of the University by supporting our local community.

With the WVU IECP, at no monetary cost to you, we provide a team of 3-6 senior industrial engineering students, with the majority having at least one prior full-time internship or co-op experience, who will partner with you to resolve a complex problem using industrial engineering skills and tools. In exchange, our students will gain valuable “real-world” experience.

In a general sense, the WVU IECP supports any type of IE projects that are centered around process improvements for businesses with pre-existing processes and business practices. This can take on many forms, and the WVU IECP is happy to assist in identifying and defining the most meaningful/useful projects for your business. If you have been struggling with project/process/operational efficiencies and just can’t seem to narrow down the problem and/or right solution, we are here to help!

Benefits to you:

• Free of cost service to your facility
• Attention allotted to a project that may not have otherwise received attention
• A fresh perspective and a new take on a problem, often resulting in creative solutions not yet considered
• Development of a mutually beneficial relationship with the WVU IMSE Department
• Opportunity to learn about our students and potentially find your next hire!

Types of Projects:

• Production planning and control
• Productivity performance improvements
• Inventory improvements/optimization
• Industrial quality control
• Project scheduling
• Human factors: safety and ergonomics
• Plant layout and material handling
• Elimination of wastes
• Customer service improvements
• Optimization (with linear programming)
• SO MUCH MORE!

Deliverables:

• Implementable recommendation(s) with detailed engineering analysis
• Formal written report including all analyses, findings, and recommendations
• Presentation of project from start to finish, including recommendations by WVU student teams to your company

What we provide:

• A team of 3-6 eager and knowledgeable senior-level students
• Guidance and support for students in the classroom
• Options for Fall, Spring, or Full-Academic-Year projects
• Travel for site visit(s), if applicable

What we need from you:

• A complex engineering problem (we can help you identify/assess this!)
• A site visit, either in person (preferred) or virtual with student team members
• Commitment to our students (time and energy)
• Willingness and ability to support their data and information needs to fully assess the problem(s)

WVU Industrial Engineering Capstone Project Interest Form

Senior Capstone Perspective

Tommy Azinger

BSIE December 2023

The WVU IECP gave me great insight into the kinds of skills I need to be a successful industrial engineer. Being directly involved in a project like that, allowed me to utilize the tools that I have picked up along my academic path and gave me experience with professionally engaging with clients. The IMSE Department does a wonderful job of ensuring that the students learn the appropriate content and that they are actively applying what they are learning. I have grown a tremendous amount because of the WVU IECP and from the internship experiences I have had over my college career!

Piper Gaines

BSIE Graduating Class May 2024

My capstone project experience has given me many useful tools and the knowledge to have confidence as I go into my future career. My project is improving a production planning process, and this will impact my future greatly as it will give me experience in a field I have not really worked much with yet.

Kasmir Lauber

The capstone project during my final semester at WVU was a valuable experience that prepared me to hit the ground running in my first job after college. While there are numerous positive aspects I could highlight about collaborating with industry partners, one particular aspect stood out to me – the impact of working on real-world projects with authentic data on one's approach. It enhances communication skills and fosters a sense of ambition to deliver tangible results. Overall, I believe the capstone project experience is an excellent opportunity to facilitate a seamless transition from school to the industry.

Juan Marino

IMSE Class of December 2023, first ever class of the WVU IECP

My capstone project posed a significant challenge, requiring me to learn a completely unfamiliar software and tackle the tasks without a partner. Despite these hurdles, the project proved to be a valuable experience, fostering my skills in self-directed learning, effective communication, and project management.

Isabelle Nesbit

ABM IMSE grad 2025

My classmates and I have been working on a project for the new Clorox facility in Inwood, WV having a real industry project for my senior capstone course is so beneficial to me. It's really given me the opportunity to take the skills that I have been learning for the past four years in the classroom and apply them to real engineering problem in industry. I think my favorite part of working on this project so far is that it's helped me identify places in my engineering skillset that I really need to work on strengthening. I'm lucky to have professors and resources at WVU that can really help me improve these skills before I am in the workforce. Not many students get the opportunity to transfer their skills to the workforce before they even graduate I'm grateful that my industrial engineering Capstone program experience has helped prepare me to be a successful engineer after I graduate from WVU.

Jerry Finnegan

Manufacturing Engineering Manager - Industry Partner - Sensus

It was a pleasure to work with our WVU IECP partner this past Fall semester. This was a good first experience. Juan was eager to learn and get involved. We are currently partnered with a team for the Spring and look forward to continuing our relationship in the future.

Dave Pancake

Industry Partner - SJ Morse

Our Fall 2023 project team was immediately engaged in the goal definition, early investigations and analysis, applying their initial assumptions to new ideas and solutions. Their effort resulted in a comprehensive report with immediate actionable next steps toward improving production time efficiencies and methods to measure continuous improvement. Thank you for the wonderful opportunity to work with WVU IECP!

Department of Industrial and Management Systems Engineering

1306 Evansdale Drive | PO Box 6107 Morgantown, West Virginia 26506-6107 Phone:   304-293-9470 | Fax:   304-293-4970

Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources

1374 Evansdale Drive | PO Box 6070 Morgantown, West Virginia 26506-6070

Phone:   304.293.4821 |  Email:   [email protected]

Driving Directions

Connect With Us

Industry & alumni

Industry capstone program.

Benefits to sponsors How it works What makes a good proposal? Sample timeline

The Industry Capstone Program brings together UW students and professionals to tackle real-world, interdisciplinary engineering problems. Sponsors bring in projects from their organizations and provide support to teams of creative, talented engineering students who will design and build innovative solutions.

Work with us to develop the next generation of engineering leaders!

Help shape the future of engineering while also gaining new insights and fresh perspectives for your organization. 

View capstone projects Submit a project proposal

Benefits to sponsors

Meaningful engagement.

Customized opportunities to assess student talent and recruit for jobs

Creative problem-solving

Low-cost opportunity for a fresh look at a problem

Professional development

Opportunity for technical mentor to practice and apply leadership skills

Brand recognition

Boost public awareness of your organization through student engagement

UW partnerships

Build impactful connections within the UW College of Engineering

Commercial licenses

Non-exclusive commercial license to any IP developed through project

How it works

  innovation.

Potential sponsors propose a project for review by College of Engineering faculty

  Sponsorship

Organizations commit financially to cover project costs and program fee

  Team matching

Students are matched to an approved project and faculty mentor

  Mentorship

Technical mentor meets with the team weekly for project duration (January – June)

  Problem-solving

Teams embark on a full-scale design process with help from technical and faculty mentors

What makes a good proposal?

• Scoped for a small team of students, with design and performance criteria requiring appropriate analytical study on a topic directly relevant to engineering
• Contains both a design and results phase, culminating in a specific project outcome
• Reflects lower-priority real-world problems faced by your organization; mission-critical problems are not appropriate projects
• Appropriate for entry-level engineers in their first or second year on the job
• Primarily self-contained, but also integrates within a larger context

We strongly encourage projects that are open to all UW Engineering students, regardless of citizenship.

Department-based capstone programs

• Aeronautics & Astronautics
• Bioengineering
• Chemical Engineering
• Civil & Environmental Engineering
• Computer Science & Engineering
• Electrical & Computer Engineering
• Human Centered Design & Engineering
• Industrial & Systems Engineering
• Materials Science & Engineering  
• Mechanical Engineering

Sample timeline

Early september, project proposal due.

Submit a two-page document outlining pertinent details of your project. This document serves as a starting point for collaboration with College of Engineering departments.

Late October

Project proposal presentations.

Approved proposals are presented, showcasing information about project requirements and scope. This information is used to determine student compatibility and team composition.

Early December

Mentor orientation and team kickoff.

Sponsors are provided with a departmental program overview. Student teams are matched and announced, and may connect to sponsors prior to the start of the project. 

January - June

Projects in progress.

Weekly team meetings take place between the student teams and mentors as project design and build processes develop throughout the winter and spring quarters.

FINAL CAPSTONE SHOWCASE

The capstone program culminates in events where student teams present their projects, explain their work, answer questions, and demonstrate working prototypes.

Latest news

Developing a synthetic railbelt power system model.

A team of electrical and chemical engineering graduate students on a capstone project focused on developing a synthetic power system model of Alaska’s Railbelt transmission system.

Third annual Boeing capstone

Students earned their wings during a spring quarter capstone project undertaken in partnership with Boeing. Fittingly, they worked on a novel design for a wingtip end cap that was produced using 3D printing.

Students design a rover to help fish

As part of an industry capstone project, engineering students created a rover to inspect sewer pipes and culverts for damage that may prevent fish migration.

ISE’s capstones adjust to the pandemic

As ISE’s capstones adjusted to pandemic life, the Millipore Sigma team shows us how they prototyped from home.

• Message from the Director
• Faculty Directory
• Why Manufacturing Engineering?

Capstone Design Project

• Industry Engagement
• Student Career Resources
• Student Wellness
• Societies and Clubs
• Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Feedback
• News and Events

The manufacturing engineering programme includes a capstone design project. Capstone projects enable students to create a meaningful product/service and solve an open-ended problem in manufacturing. Through this experience, they gain broad exposure to the application of foundational engineering disciplines, training across a range of major manufacturing processes and platforms, and an understanding of modern production management and manufacturing practices.  

The subject of the projects should include general manufacturing engineering problems. Students are familiar with the following areas:

Metal processing

   Heat Treating

   Forming

Polymer processing

   Injection moulding

   Vacuum thermoforming

   3D printing

Composite material processing

   Wet layup

   Prepeg processing

   Vacuum infusion

   PLCs

   Instrumentation

   Controls

Production management and planning

Software engineering, cross campus collaboration (ubc vancouver and ubc okanagan).

The Manufacturing Engineering Program is hosted across both campuses. The Capstone course offers students the opportunity to work with cross-campus teams to encourage interdisciplinary skillsets within the same project team.

Get Involved

The Manufacturing Engineering Program invites you to propose a project to our students that will prepare them for employment and in turn give you an opportunity to meet the next generation of graduates.

A Capstone instructor assesses each proposal and provides feedback to you (the client). You are invited to revise your proposal based on the instructor’s feedback. Clients with successful proposals have the option to pitch their proposals to the Capstone students in early September. By the second week of September, each student bids on projects by ranking their top five preferred projects. This ranking is used to form teams.

Our students and faculty would be working towards developing potential solutions with you from September and April. You will have ample opportunity to be actively engaged in the development of solutions.

Why get involved?

• Exploration of research/development opportunities utilizing the expertise of UBC faculty, staff and students
• Access to world-class research facilities and expert technical personnel in the Materials Engineering Department and Mechanical Engineering Department
• Engagement with the next class of new graduates to facilitate recruitment and networking
• Exploration of products or services that are outside of your organization’s current business plan
• Introduction of your organization to the UBC academic community
• A low-cost/low-risk way to explore uncertain business opportunities

Time Commitment

Partners will have a time commitment of approximately 10 to 15 hours over the course of eight months. This will typically take the form of meetings, supporting students with technical problems, and reviewing their work.

Project teams are provided with a budget to facilitate their work. To make this a successful partnership and a sustainable model, it is our hope that you and your organization will commit in a similar fashion, depending on the needs of the project.

Submit a Project

Our Call for Proposals is now open!  

Submit a Proposal  

Christoph Sielmann:  [email protected]

Casey Keulen:  [email protected]

Highlights of Past Projects

Designing an aeroponic smart grow cabinet

Team Members: Kihomi Adhémar, Stefan Busaga, Akhilesh Gattineni, Brandon Kim, Sylvia Ly and Jennifer Mane Industry Partner: Genoptic

Learn more about their project

Recycling an innovative material into lightweight, abrasion-resistant shin pads

Team Members: Rocky Guan, Muyang Li, Muhan Wang and Sam Xu Industry Partner: Aluula Composites

• Directories
• Degrees & Programs
• Admission & Aid
• Academic & Career Advising
• Student Life
• Mechanical and Materials Engineering
• Department Home
• Materials Science and Engineering (B.S.)
• Mechanical Engineering (B.S.)
• Materials Science and Engineering (Minor)
• Renewable and Clean Energy (Minor)
• Combined Undergraduate and Graduate Degrees
• Aerospace Systems Engineering (M.S.)
• Materials Science and Engineering (M.S.)
• Mechanical Engineering (M.S.)
• Renewable and Clean Energy (M.S.)
• Materials Science and Engineering
• Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
• Research Areas and Faculty

Capstone Design Projects

• American Society of Mechanical Engineers
• Course Descriptions
• Curricular Advising Policies
• Faculty and Staff Directory
• Department News

All mechanical and materials engineering students are required to complete a capstone project in their senior year. Below you will find a list of past capstone projects from our engineering students.

2023 Fall Semester Projects

• Rapid Solidification Machine (PDF) Team Members: Anthony Carver, Jesse Potts, Landon Tuck, Courtney Wuilleumier  
• Design and Development of an Extrusion-Based 2.5D/3D Printer for Electronic Packaging (PDF) Team Members: Alex Adams, Dylan Hall, Jacob Harrison, Jeet Patel  
• Development of a Grease Lubrication Mechanism for a Two-Disk Contact Set-Up (PDF) Team Members: Devin Blankenship, Braden Russell, Kevin Kemp, Austin Sherwood, Alex Plas  
• Green Automated Aquaponics System (PDF) Team Members: Intissar Elhani, Alan Whiting, Kevin Grubb, Evan Gehret  
• CFD Modeling of Formula 600 Race Car (PDF) Team Members: Sean Barber, Ethan Cornell, Bailey Hoelscher, Tamal Kambarov, Viswanathan Ramesh  
• Low Head Ocean Energy Storage (PDF) Team Members: Adam Hume, Cameron Floyd, Carson Estep, Dustin Leonard, Samuel Boys

2023 Spring Semester Projects

• Convertible Home Gym Apparatus (PDF) Team Members: Connor Schock, Noah Bledsoe, Jackson Nix  
• Battlefield Model Design (PDF) Team Members: Hameed Juma, Jeff Denton, Lemuel Duncan, Zach Baker  
• Metal Air Batteries for EVs and Electronic Devices (PDF) Team Members: Alexis Burt, Logan Nielsen, Ian Thompson  
• Wave Power Conversion (PDF) Team Members: Luke Banks, Bryce Ullman, Emma Vuckovich  
• SAE Baja Collegiate Design Series (PDF) Team Members: Clay Minor, Logan Rowland, Elliot Wiggins, Julia Sentman, Dominic Manns, Stephanie Gangl  
• Hybrid UAV Power System (PDF) Team Members: Lucas Duncan, Riley Hall, Abigail Kerestes, James Schmitz  
• Optimization of Joining Methods for Generator Converter Chassis (PDF) Team Members: Tyriek Craigs, Seth Perkins, Robert Hall, Jacob Evans  
• Optimization of Temperature Gradient in Magnetic Inductors (PDF) Team Members: Kyle Schroder, Alan Hingsbergen, Blake Martin, Jordan Stanley  
• Optimized Wire Coiler for GE Aviation (PDF) Team Members: Connor Allen, Bradley Jones, Alex Strack, Kaitlin Willi  
• Solar Splash Electric Boat Competition (PDF) Team Members: Brice Prigge, Bryar Powell, Chase Mansell, Evan Hannon  
• Ultralight Copper Current Collectors for Flexible Batteries (PDF) Team Members: Connor Wyckoff, Branen Bussey, Dryana Russell, Mashuj Alshammari  

2022 Fall Semester Projects

• Modular Vibration Testing Kit for Vibrations Lab Course (PDF) Team Members: Michael Ahlers, Seth Madison Tyler Motzko  
• Design of Complex Fluid Electrical Conductivity Cell (PDF) Team Members: Bradley Cripe, Garrett Gniazdowski, Gaspard Matondo, Scott Osborne  
• Structural Optimization of Quadcopter Landing Gear (PDF) Team Members: Taha Etekbali, Jilian Sollars, Katrina Knight  
• Convertible Home Gym (PDF) Team Members: Max Carnevale, Randa Richards, Kevin Hall, Michael Orengo  
• IDC Spring Crimping Tool (PDF) Team Members: Aleni Burcham, Samuel Sowers, Alexander Smith, and Luke Lieghley  
• Ocean Wave Energy Generation (PDF) Team Members: Cameron Slater, Ben Ferree, Daniel Ploss, Austin Shurlow

Past Capstone Projects

• Micro Turbine Engine Design Competition
• Additive Manufacturing Process Design
• SAE Baja Competition
• Fluid Viscosity Measurement
• Folding UAV
• Wheel Life Prediction
• Dual-Plane Airfoil
• Resonance Wave Power
• Autonomous Aerial Remote-Sensing Drone
• Serial Grinder and Imaging System to Create 3-D Images of Vertebrate Rich Sedimentary Rock Cores
• Customizable and Low-Cost Water Quality Monitoring Platform for Grand Lake St. Marys
• Robotic Football Competition
• Wood Materials Project
• Self-Learning Targeting System
• Convertible Home Gym
• Additive Manufacturing Welding
• Programming & Optimization
• Characterizing the Performance of a UAV for a Future Hybrid Powertrain
• Configurable Bike
• Mechanical Tester for Printed Electronics
• Porous Testing Medium
• SAE Aero Design Competition
• Solar Splash Design Competition

Take the Next Step

Finding the right college means finding the right fit. See all that the College of Engineering and Computer Science has to offer by visiting campus.

[email protected]

Engineering and Computer Science, College of

[email protected]

Departments and Programs

• Biomedical, Industrial, and Human Factors Engineering
• Computer Science and Engineering
• Electrical Engineering
• Ph.D. in Engineering
• Success Stories

About Wright State

• Accreditation
• National Recognition
• Quick Facts
• Academic Calendar

Information For

• Counseling and Wellness
• Disability Services
• Human Resources
• Information Technology (CaTS)
• Parking and Transportation

• Make a Gift
• Wright State Cares

• X (formerly Twitter)
• Copyright © 2024
• Accessibility
• Emergency Preparedness
• Web Support

Project Examples

More than 1,000 projects successfully completed.

Below are just a handful of recent projects.

Exhibits for the Orpheum Children's Science Museum (Champaign, Illinois)

During the 2018 spring semester, two teams of five MechSE undergradudates created two new interactive astronomy-themed exhibits for the Orpheum Children's Science Museum in Champaign, Illinois. “Asteroid Mine” and “Orphy’s Escape to Space” are first-of-their-kind projects for the Senior Capstone Design Program. The students were given full autonomy to conceive, design, and build the exhibits, and they collaborated with Orpheum staff and MechSE faculty advisors. The students created original, interactive, working exhibits over the course of a single semester.  We thank Phillips 66 for their support!

Hydraulic bike for the Fluid Power Vehicle Challenge

The goal of the 2018 spring semester team for the hydraulic bike project was to create a hydraulic system capable of powering and driving a bicycle for the National Fluid Power Association's vehicle challenge. Requirements include a power input, drive motor, a mechanism to store hydraulic power, and regenerative braking. The team produced a functioning treadle pump and hydraulic motor system with improved valving and consistent hydraulic flow. 

Compact and Efficient Fluid Power Competition: Additive manufactured excavator cab

Design of a Solar Powered Lemur Heating and Cooling System (for Johnson Controls and the Lemur Conservation Foundation)

Design of an ICU Bed Head Angle Measurement System (for Carle Foundation Hospital and Shell Oil Company)

Design for optimized heat flow across a bolted/gasketed interface (for Boeing)

Surgical pad control box design (for Innoventor)

Bike helmet design (for Caveat Emptor)

Industrial burner redesign for reduced weight (for Eclipse)

Bridge impactor design for fault detection (for Civil Engineering)

Cold aisle containment design to save cooling costs (for NSCA)

Design of an affordable human-powered water pump for Cambodia that utilizes local materials and manufacturing techniques (humanitarian project, sponsored by Shell)

Shell Eco-Marathon Americas Competition

NFPA Fluid Power Vehicle Challenge

Design of a waterside economizer predicted to save over $2M/year in cooling costs (for NCSA Blue Waters supercomputer)

SpaceX Hyperloop

To propose a Senior Capstone Design Project or to learn more, contact:  Steve Zahos,  [email protected]

60+ Inspiring Capstone Project Ideas for STEM Students: Unlocking Excellence

• Post author By admin
• October 3, 2023

Discover a range of innovative and challenging capstone project ideas for STEM students.

Hey there, STEM enthusiasts! We get it; you’re not just studying science, technology, engineering, or math – you’re living it.

And now, you’ve reached that thrilling moment in your academic journey: the capstone project. It’s like the grand finale of a spectacular fireworks show, where all your hard-earned knowledge bursts into a brilliant display of real-world application.

But hold on – choosing the right capstone project can feel a bit like picking your superpower for the future. Exciting, right? Well, that’s where we come in.

In this guide, we’re serving up a buffet of capstone project ideas specially crafted for STEM students like you. We’ve got everything from mind-bending tech wizardry to earth-saving eco-innovations.

Whether you’re into building robots that might just take over the world (kidding!) or exploring the mysteries of the human genome, we’ve got you covered.

So, let’s ditch the ordinary, embrace the extraordinary, and find that one project that’s going to make your STEM journey legendary. Ready to dive in? Let’s roll!

Table of Contents

What is Capstone Project Ideas for Stem Students?

Alright, listen up, STEM folks! Capstone projects? They’re like the big, epic finale of your journey through science, tech, engineering, and math. It’s where you get to flex those brain muscles and apply everything you’ve soaked up in the classroom to real-life challenges.

But here’s the kicker: picking the right project? It’s kind of a big deal. This ain’t just any old assignment; it’s your chance to shape your future career path.

So, in this article, we’re not just scratching the surface – we’re diving headfirst into a treasure trove of Capstone Project Ideas, tailor-made for STEM students.

Our mission? To help you find that spark, that “a-ha” moment, that will light up your academic journey. Ready to roll? Let’s do this!

Importance of Capstone Project Ideas for Stem Students

Alright, buckle up because we’re diving into why Capstone Projects are like the secret sauce of STEM education. These projects are a big deal, and here’s why:

Putting Knowledge to Work

You know all that stuff you’ve been learning in your STEM classes? Capstone projects are where you finally get to roll up your sleeves and put that knowledge to practical use. It’s like taking a test, but the real world is your exam paper.

Mixing It Up

STEM isn’t just one thing; it’s a melting pot of science, tech, engineering, and math. Capstone projects are like your chance to be the mad scientist mixing all these disciplines to cook up something amazing. It’s where you see how different fields can work together to solve complex problems.

Unleash Your Inner Genius

Remember those crazy ideas that kept you awake at night? Capstone projects give you the green light to bring those ideas to life. They’re all about innovation and letting your creativity run wild.

Hands-On Learning:

Forget about textbooks and lectures for a moment. Capstone projects are where you get your hands dirty (figuratively, most of the time). You learn by doing, and that’s an experience you can’t put a price on.

Becoming Sherlock Holmes

Investigating, researching, and analyzing data become your superpowers. Capstone projects turn you into a detective, seeking answers and solving mysteries.

Boss-Level Skills

Ever heard of project management and teamwork? Capstone projects are like your crash course in these essential skills. You learn how to work in a team, meet deadlines, and communicate like a pro.

Finding Real-World Problems

Capstone projects aren’t just for grades; they’re about addressing real-world problems. You become a problem-spotter, finding issues in your field that need fixing.

Supercharging Your Resume

Completing a Capstone Project is like having a golden ticket on your resume. Employers love seeing that you’ve tackled a real-world challenge and come out on top.

Changing the Game

Sometimes, your Capstone Project isn’t just a project; it’s a game-changer. You might stumble upon something so cool that it pushes the boundaries of what’s known in your field.

Opening Doors

Collaborating with experts and industry pros isn’t just a possibility; it’s often a reality in Capstone projects. These connections can open doors to your future career.

Making a Real Difference

And here’s the kicker – some Capstone Projects aren’t just about you; they’re about making the world a better place. Whether it’s in healthcare, sustainability, or technology, your project can have a positive impact on society.

Showcasing Your Awesomeness

Completed Capstone Projects are like trophies. They’re proof of what you’re capable of and a source of inspiration for future STEM students.

In a nutshell, Capstone Projects are like the stage where you step into the spotlight and showcase your STEM superpowers.

They prepare you for the real world, fuel innovation, and help move the needle in science and technology. So, get ready to rock your Capstone journey!

Capstone Project Ideas for Stem Students

Have a close look at capstone project ideas for stem students:-

Engineering and Technology

• Solar-Powered Gadgets: Design solar-powered phone chargers, backpacks, or outdoor lighting.
• Autonomous Robots: Create a robot for search and rescue operations or autonomous delivery.
• Smart Home Automation: Develop a home automation system that responds to voice commands.
• 3D Printing Advancements: Research and improve 3D printing materials and techniques.
• Electric Vehicle Prototypes: Design electric bikes, scooters, or small urban electric vehicles.
• Aerospace Innovations: Develop drones for agricultural monitoring or low Earth orbit satellites.
• Renewable Energy Innovations: Build a small-scale wind turbine or experiment with tidal energy.
• Biomedical Breakthroughs: Invent wearable medical devices for remote patient monitoring.
• Environmental Conservation Initiatives: Create an app to report and track environmental issues in your community.
• Robotics and Automation: Design a robotic system for assisting individuals with disabilities.

Biotechnology and Healthcare

• Genetic Engineering: Engineer bacteria for biodegradable plastics production.
• Telemedicine Solutions: Create a telemedicine platform for mental health support.
• Drug Discovery Algorithms: Develop algorithms to predict potential drug interactions.
• Biomedical Imaging Enhancements: Improve MRI or ultrasound imaging technology.
• Prosthetic Limb Innovations: Design advanced prosthetic limbs with sensory feedback.
• Stem Cell Therapies: Research the use of stem cells in regenerative medicine.
• Precision Medicine Tools: Develop tools for tailoring medical treatments to individual genetics.
• Medical Data Privacy Solutions: Create secure systems for handling sensitive medical data.
• Healthcare Access Apps: Design apps for improving healthcare access in underserved areas.
• Virtual Reality in Healthcare: Develop VR simulations for medical training and therapy.

Environmental Science and Sustainability

• Eco-Friendly Building Solutions: Construct green buildings with innovative energy-saving features.
• Waste Reduction Initiatives: Implement a smart waste management system in urban areas.
• Clean Water Technologies: Invent low-cost water purification systems for rural communities.
• Climate Change Mitigation Strategies: Develop strategies for reducing carbon emissions in industries.
• Urban Green Spaces: Create plans for urban parks and green spaces to combat urban heat islands.
• Renewable Energy Storage: Investigate novel methods for storing energy from renewable sources.
• Sustainable Agriculture Solutions: Design vertical farming systems for urban food production.
• Marine Conservation Innovations: Develop technologies to protect and restore marine ecosystems.
• Biodiversity Monitoring Tools: Create apps and devices for monitoring wildlife populations.
• Renewable Energy Education: Develop educational programs to raise awareness about renewable energy.

Computer Science and Data Science

• AI-Powered Language Translation: Build a language translation tool that uses AI to enhance accuracy.
• Machine Learning for Healthcare Diagnostics: Develop ML models for early disease detection.
• Cybersecurity Advancements: Create an AI-driven cybersecurity platform for threat detection.
• Data Analytics for Social Impact: Analyze data to identify social issues and propose solutions.
• Quantum Computing Algorithms: Design quantum algorithms for solving complex computational problems.
• Blockchain Applications: Develop blockchain-based systems for secure transactions or voting.
• Virtual Reality for Education: Build immersive VR educational experiences for students.
• IoT in Smart Cities: Create IoT solutions for improving urban infrastructure and services.
• Natural Language Processing Chatbots: Design chatbots that assist with customer service or information retrieval.
• Data Visualization for Climate Change: Develop visualizations to communicate climate data effectively.

Space Exploration and Astronomy:

• CubeSat Missions: Plan and execute CubeSat missions to study Earth’s atmosphere or space phenomena.
• Exoplanet Discovery Tools: Create algorithms and tools for identifying exoplanets.
• Astrobiology Research: Investigate extreme environments on Earth as analogs for extraterrestrial life.
• Space Tourism Initiatives: Design spacecraft or systems for commercial space travel.
• Asteroid Impact Mitigation: Develop strategies for deflecting potentially hazardous asteroids.
• Lunar Base Planning: Create blueprints for sustainable lunar bases or habitats.
• Satellite-Based Earth Monitoring: Build sensors and instruments for monitoring Earth from orbit.
• Space Debris Cleanup Technologies: Engineer systems for removing space debris.
• Mars Colony Concepts: Design habitats and infrastructure for future Mars colonies.
• Astronomy Outreach Apps: Develop apps for stargazing and astronomy education.

These project ideas offer a wide spectrum of exciting possibilities for STEM students to explore and contribute to their respective fields.

What are the capstone topics for stem?

STEM capstone topics are typically broad and interdisciplinary, and they allow students to apply the knowledge and skills they have learned throughout their STEM education to solve a real-world problem. Some examples of capstone topics for STEM students include:

• Developing a new way to generate renewable energy
• Designing a more sustainable transportation system
• Creating a new medical device or treatment
• Developing a new software application or algorithm
• Improving the efficiency of a manufacturing process
• Reducing the environmental impact of a product or service
• Developing a new educational program to teach STEM concepts
• Designing a more accessible and inclusive community
• Addressing a social or economic challenge through STEM innovation

What is the Capstone Project for stem students?

Alright, so picture this: the Capstone Project for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) students is like the thrilling climax of their academic adventure.

It’s where all that brainpower they’ve been accumulating throughout their STEM journey gets its moment to shine – by taking on actual, real-world problems.

Think of it as the ultimate challenge where they don’t just read about stuff in textbooks; they roll up their sleeves and get their hands dirty, so to speak. It’s the part where theory meets practice, and things get exciting.

Now, what’s on the menu for these projects? Well, it’s like a buffet of possibilities. STEM students can work solo or team up, and they might find themselves researching, tinkering, designing, or even inventing stuff. All with one goal in mind: making a tangible difference in their chosen STEM field.

But it’s not just about acing an assignment; it’s about preparing for their future careers. These projects teach them how to think critically, collaborate seamlessly, and confront real-world challenges head-on.

It’s not just education; it’s a taste of what awaits them in the dynamic world of STEM.

What is an example of a capstone topic?

Imagine having the power to foresee when a customer might bid farewell to a product or service. That’s customer churn, and it’s a puzzle that businesses need to solve.

Predicting customer churn is like having a crystal ball that helps identify customers at risk of leaving and take proactive steps to keep them on board.

So, what’s the scoop on this capstone project? It’s all about crafting a machine learning model that can predict customer churn based on past data. Businesses can use this model to pinpoint customers who might be on the verge of leaving and then craft personalized strategies to keep them happy.

But hold on, that’s just one flavor of the STEM capstone ice cream parlor. Here’s another tasty one in the realm of mechanical engineering:

Revolutionizing Prosthetic Limbs: Comfort and Functionality Redefined

Prosthetic limbs are like real-life superheroes for people who’ve lost their own limbs. But let’s be honest, there’s always room for improvement. This capstone project is a ticket to the world of designing and building a prosthetic limb that’s not just functional but also super comfortable.

Imagine this: cutting-edge materials, groundbreaking technologies, and innovative designs coming together to create a prosthetic limb that goes beyond expectations.

But hey, the STEM capstone universe is vast, and there are countless other galaxies to explore, such as:

• Powering the World with Renewable Energy: Dreaming up new ways to harness renewable energy sources and save the planet.
• Eco-Friendly Commutes: Crafting a sustainable transportation system for a greener tomorrow.
• Medical Marvels: Inventing groundbreaking medical devices or treatments to enhance healthcare.
• Software Wonders: Developing game-changing software or algorithms to simplify our lives.
• Manufacturing Efficiency: Streamlining production processes for greater productivity and sustainability.
• Environmental Guardians: Reducing the environmental impact of products or services for a cleaner Earth.
• STEM Education Revolution: Creating exciting educational programs to make STEM concepts accessible to all.
• Inclusive Communities: Designing communities that embrace diversity and accessibility.
• Tackling Global Challenges: Using STEM innovation to address complex social and economic issues.

When you’re choosing your capstone topic, remember it’s your chance to shine. Consider what tickles your curiosity, matches your skills, and aligns with your career dreams.

And don’t forget to have a chat with your advisor or mentor for some valuable insights and guidance. Happy capstone adventures!

How do I get ideas for a Capstone Project?

Check out how to get ideas for a capstone project:-

Explore Your Passions

Kickstart your idea quest by diving into your passions and interests. Think about what genuinely fires you up within your field of study. When you’re passionate about a project, it doesn’t feel like work; it feels like a thrilling adventure.

Real-World Challenges

Shift your focus to the real world. What are the burning problems or challenges that industries or communities are facing right now? Your Capstone Project could be the solution they’ve been waiting for.

Course Curiosity

Recall those “Aha!” moments in your classes. Were there topics or concepts that made you sit up and take notice? Delving deeper into one of these could be the start of a captivating project.

Seek Expert Guidance

Don’t be shy about tapping into the wisdom of your professors, advisors, or mentors. They’re like treasure chests of knowledge and can point you in the direction of intriguing project ideas.

Industry Insights

Take a virtual tour of your field’s online spaces. Look at industry blogs, forums , or websites to discover the latest trends, innovations, and hot topics. It’s like eavesdropping on the professionals’ secret conversations.

Team Brainstorming

If you’re up for it, consider teaming up with classmates. Sometimes, two (or more) heads are better than one. Brainstorm together to cook up a project idea that gets everyone excited.

Project Archives

Dive into the past. Check out previous Capstone Projects from your school or program. While you’re there, see if you can add a unique twist to a familiar topic.

Research Opportunities

Sneak a peek at what’s cooking in your department’s research labs or ongoing initiatives. Joining an existing project might be your ticket to becoming a project superstar.

Expert Interviews

Reach out to the experts. Conduct interviews or surveys with professionals in your field. Their insights might just be the inspiration you need.

Personal Stories

Reflect on your own life experiences. Has a personal challenge or journey sparked an idea? Sometimes, the best projects come from personal stories.

Social Good

Think about projects that can make the world a better place. Projects with a positive impact on society or the environment often feel incredibly rewarding.

Futuristic Tech

Explore the cutting-edge stuff. Keep an eye on emerging technologies or innovative approaches. Your project could be the next big thing.

Feasibility Check

While dreaming big is great, make sure your project idea is feasible within the confines of your program’s time, resources, and your own expertise.

Get Creative

Embrace creativity. Dedicate some time to brainstorming sessions. Let your imagination run wild, jotting down all those wild ideas. Later, you can sift through them to find the golden nuggets.

Remember, your Capstone Project should feel like an adventure, not a chore. Take your time, let the ideas simmer, and choose the one that makes your heart race with excitement.

That’s the idea that’s going to propel you to Capstone success. Happy brainstorming!

In wrapping up our exploration of Capstone Project ideas for STEM students, let’s remember that this journey is nothing short of thrilling. It’s a world brimming with opportunities waiting for your genius touch.

As you venture into this territory, keep your passions close at heart. Seek out those real-world challenges that ignite your curiosity and resonate with your values.

Don’t hesitate to lean on the wisdom of your mentors and peers for guidance; they’ve been there and have invaluable insights to share.

Whether you find yourself immersed in renewable energy, pioneering medical breakthroughs, or tackling societal issues head-on with STEM innovation, your Capstone Project is your chance to shine.

It’s your canvas to paint your ideas, your passion, and your creativity. It’s the first chapter in your journey to shaping a brighter future through STEM.

So, embrace the adventure, let your imagination soar, and embark on your Capstone Project journey with confidence. The world is waiting for your innovative solutions, and the possibilities are endless.

Your STEM story is just beginning.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do i choose the right capstone project for me.

Consider your interests, skills, and career goals. Choose a project that excites you and aligns with your future aspirations.

Are there any funding opportunities for Capstone Projects?

Many universities and organizations offer grants and scholarships for STEM projects. Research and apply for funding opportunities early.

Can I collaborate with other students on a Capstone Project?

Collaboration can enhance your project’s scope and creativity. Consult with your advisor and explore team projects.

What should I do if I encounter challenges during my Capstone Project?

Don’t hesitate to seek guidance from professors, mentors, or online communities. Challenges are opportunities for growth.

How can I make my Capstone Project stand out to potential employers?

Focus on innovation, documentation, and presentation. Showcase your problem-solving skills and the real-world impact of your project.

What’s the importance of networking during my Capstone Project journey?

Networking can open doors to opportunities, mentorship, and industry connections. Attend conferences and engage with professionals in your field.

• australia (2)
• duolingo (13)
• Education (283)
• General (77)
• How To (17)
• IELTS (127)
• Latest Updates (162)
• Malta Visa (6)
• Permanent residency (1)
• Programming (31)
• Scholarship (1)
• Sponsored (4)
• Study Abroad (187)
• Technology (12)
• work permit (8)

Recent Posts

Top 151+ Mechanical Engineering Capstone Project Ideas

Welcome to our guide on Mechanical Engineering Capstone Project Ideas! You’re in the right place if you’re a mechanical engineering student preparing for your last project. Capstone projects are a big deal in your school journey. 

They are your chance to show all the skills and knowledge you’ve learned throughout your studies. This blog will help you select the ideal final project idea. We’ll discuss why picking an interesting, possible, and impactful project is important.

Whether you’re interested in renewable energy, robots, sustainable transportation, biomechanics, or advanced materials, we’ve covered you with different project ideas to get your creativity going. So, let’s dive in and explore some exciting possibilities for your mechanical engineering capstone project!

Why is Choosing a Good Capstone Project Ideas Important?

Table of Contents

Here are a few key reasons why choosing a good capstone project idea is important:

• Lets you apply what you’ve learned. The capstone project allows you to use all the skills and knowledge you’ve gained in your program.
• Builds expertise. By diving deep into a topic, you can become an expert on something that interests you.
• Shows your skills. A great capstone project highlights your abilities to potential employers.
• Expand your network. Capstone projects often involve working with external organizations or communities.
• Drives personal growth. An in-depth project helps build planning, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Creates a sense of accomplishment. The capstone is a major milestone that shows you’ve achieved your degree.
• Select a topic you’re passionate about. This provides motivation and a satisfying finish to your academic journey.

In short, choosing a capstone project that excites you allows you to fully demonstrate your new skills and abilities while preparing for your future career.

What Are The Factors To Consider When Choosing A Capstone Project? 

Here are some simple tips on choosing your capstone engineering project:

Pick a Topic You’re Passionate About

Choose something you find interesting! You’ll enjoy the project more and stay motivated.

Make Sure It’s Feasible

Don’t pick ideas that are too complex or expensive. Ensure you have the skills, time, and resources to complete it.

Aim for Real-World Impact

Pick a project that solves a real problem or improves lives. This will make your work more meaningful.

Talk to Your Professor

Ask for their advice on project ideas that fit the course requirements. Their guidance is invaluable.

Start Brainstorming Early

Give yourself plenty of time to develop creative ideas and research. Don’t leave it to the last minute.

Be Original

Avoid picking the same projects as others. Come up with fresh, innovative ideas to stand out.

Stay Organized

Make deadlines and track progress. Good time management is key to finishing successfully.

Hope these simple tips help you choose an awesome final project! Let me know if you need any other advice.

151+ Mechanical Engineering Capstone Project Ideas

Here’s a list of 151+ mechanical engineering capstone project ideas for students:

• Design and prototype a low-cost, portable water purification system.
• Develop a smart irrigation system using IoT sensors and actuators.
• Design a solar-powered refrigerator for off-grid communities.
• Create a drone-based package delivery system for urban areas.
• Develop an automated vertical farming system for urban agriculture.
• Design a low-cost prosthetic limb with adjustable settings for different activities.
• Develop a wearable device for monitoring and improving posture.
• Design and build a small-scale wind turbine for residential use.
• Develop a bicycle-sharing system with integrated GPS tracking and locking mechanisms.
• Design a compact, energy-efficient home heating system using renewable energy sources.
• Create a robotic exoskeleton to assist with lifting heavy objects.
• Design a pneumatic-powered wheelchair for off-road use.
• Develop a smart helmet for motorcyclists with built-in communication and safety features.
• Design an autonomous vehicle for agricultural tasks such as planting and harvesting.
• Create a modular construction system for building temporary shelters in disaster areas.
• Develop a noise-canceling system for reducing cabin noise in airplanes.
• Design a self-balancing electric scooter for urban commuting.
• Create a smart home energy management system for optimizing energy usage.
• Develop a device for extracting water from air humidity in arid regions.
• Design a low-cost, portable ultrasound machine for medical diagnostics in rural areas.
• Create a solar-powered desalination system for producing drinking water from seawater.
• Develop a low-cost, energy-efficient cooking stove for use in developing countries.
• Design a waste-to-energy conversion system for small-scale applications.
• Create a modular, expandable furniture system for small apartments.
• Develop a wearable device for monitoring vital signs and alerting emergency services in case of medical emergencies.
• Design a low-cost, portable electrocardiogram (ECG) machine for remote healthcare monitoring.
• Develop a smart traffic management system for optimizing traffic flow in cities.
• Create a low-cost, portable water filtration system for disaster relief operations.
• Design an automated system for sorting and recycling household waste.
• Develop a wearable device for monitoring and improving sleep quality.
• Design a low-cost, scalable wind energy harvesting system for rural electrification.
• Create a device for detecting and alerting air pollution levels in real time.
• Develop a smart irrigation system for precision agriculture.
• Design a compact, portable power generator for camping and outdoor activities.
• Create a device for monitoring and reducing energy consumption in households.
• Develop a robotic system for inspecting and maintaining bridges and pipelines.
• Design a low-cost, portable medical imaging device for use in remote areas.
• Create a device for monitoring and improving indoor air quality.
• Develop a smart home automation system for elderly care and assistance.
• Design a low-cost, portable device for diagnosing infectious diseases in resource-limited settings.
• Create a system for converting food waste into biogas for cooking.
• Develop a wearable device for monitoring and preventing workplace injuries.
• Design a compact, portable water desalination system for disaster relief.
• Create a device for monitoring and reducing water usage in households.
• Develop a robotic system for inspecting and maintaining solar panels.
• Design a low-cost, portable device for detecting water contaminants in rural areas.
• Create a system for monitoring and optimizing energy usage in commercial buildings.
• Develop a smart waste management system for optimizing garbage collection routes.
• Design a portable, self-contained medical clinic for use in remote areas.
• Create a device for monitoring and reducing energy usage in industrial settings.
• Develop a system for converting agricultural waste into biochar for soil improvement.
• Design a low-cost, portable device for diagnosing respiratory diseases in children.
• Create a device for monitoring and reducing fuel consumption in vehicles.
• Develop a robotic system for cleaning and maintaining solar panels.
• Design a compact, portable device for detecting lead contamination in water.
• Create a system for monitoring and optimizing energy usage in data centers.
• Develop a smart lighting system for reducing energy consumption in buildings.
• Design a low-cost, portable device for detecting pesticide residues in food.
• Create a device for monitoring and reducing water usage in agriculture.
• Develop a system for converting organic waste into biogas for cooking.
• Design a compact, portable device for diagnosing malaria in remote areas.
• Create a device for monitoring and reducing energy usage in schools.
• Develop a robotic system for inspecting and maintaining wind turbines.
• Design a low-cost, portable device for testing soil fertility in agriculture.
• Create a system for monitoring and optimizing energy usage in hospitals.
• Develop a smart transportation system for optimizing public transit routes.
• Design a compact, portable device for detecting heavy metal contamination in water.
• Create a device for monitoring and reducing energy usage in office buildings.
• Develop a robotic system for harvesting fruits and vegetables in agriculture.
• Design a low-cost, portable device for diagnosing diabetes in rural areas.
• Create a system for monitoring and optimizing energy usage in hotels.
• Develop a smart waste sorting system for recycling facilities.
• Design a compact, portable device for testing water quality in rivers and lakes.
• Create a device for monitoring and reducing energy usage in retail stores.
• Develop a robotic system for sorting and recycling plastic waste.
• Design a low-cost, portable device for diagnosing tuberculosis in developing countries.
• Create a system for monitoring and optimizing energy usage in airports.
• Develop a smart parking system for optimizing parking space usage in cities.
• Design a compact, portable device for detecting air pollution levels in urban areas.
• Create a device for monitoring and reducing energy usage in warehouses.
• Develop a robotic system for sorting and recycling paper waste.
• Design a low-cost, portable device for diagnosing HIV/AIDS in resource-limited settings.
• Create a system for monitoring and optimizing energy usage in shopping malls.
• Develop a smart traffic signal system for reducing congestion in cities.
• Design a compact, portable device for testing water quality in wells.
• Create a device for monitoring and reducing energy usage in stadiums.
• Develop a robotic system for sorting and recycling glass waste.
• Design a low-cost, portable device for diagnosing malaria in children.
• Create a system for monitoring and optimizing energy usage in universities.
• Develop a smart lighting system for reducing light pollution in urban areas.
• Design a compact, portable device for testing air quality in indoor environments.
• Create a device for monitoring and reducing energy usage in museums.
• Develop a robotic system for sorting and recycling electronic waste.
• Design a low-cost, portable device for diagnosing dengue fever in tropical regions.
• Create a system for monitoring and optimizing energy usage in theaters.
• Develop a smart transportation system for optimizing school bus routes.
• Design a compact, portable device for testing soil moisture in agriculture.
• Create a device for monitoring and reducing energy usage in gyms.
• Develop a robotic system for sorting and recycling metal waste.
• Design a low-cost, portable device for diagnosing cholera in emergencies.
• Develop a smart navigation system for visually impaired individuals.
• Design a compact, portable device for testing water acidity in aquaculture.
• Create a device for monitoring and reducing energy usage in libraries.
• Develop a robotic system for sorting and recycling textile waste.
• Design a low-cost, portable device for diagnosing the Zika virus in affected regions.
• Create a system for monitoring and optimizing energy usage in restaurants.
• Develop a smart transportation system for optimizing delivery routes.
• Design a compact, portable device for testing water turbidity in rivers.
• Create a device for monitoring and reducing energy usage in concert halls.
• Develop a robotic system for sorting and recycling plastic bottles.
• Design a low-cost, portable device for diagnosing hepatitis in remote areas.
• Create a system for monitoring and optimizing energy usage in stadiums.
• Develop a smart traffic signal system for reducing congestion in parking lots.
• Design a compact, portable device for testing water hardness in wells.
• Create a device for monitoring and reducing energy usage in convention centers.
• Develop a robotic system for sorting and recycling food waste.
• Design a low-cost, portable device for diagnosing typhoid fever in developing countries.
• Create a system for monitoring and optimizing energy usage in sports arenas.
• Develop a smart transportation system for optimizing taxi routes.
• Design a compact, portable device for testing water salinity in coastal areas.
• Create a device for monitoring and reducing energy usage in theme parks.
• Develop a robotic system for sorting and recycling construction waste.
• Design a low-cost, portable device for diagnosing yellow fever in affected regions.
• Create a system for monitoring and optimizing energy usage in cinemas.
• Develop a smart traffic signal system for reducing congestion at intersections.
• Design a compact, portable device for testing water conductivity in rivers.
• Create a device for monitoring and reducing energy usage in casinos.
• Develop a robotic system for sorting and recycling organic waste.
• Design a low-cost, portable device for diagnosing rabies in rural areas.
• Create a system for monitoring and optimizing energy usage in amusement parks.
• Develop a smart transportation system for optimizing ride-sharing routes.
• Design a compact, portable device for testing water temperature in lakes.
• Create a device for monitoring and reducing energy usage in zoos.
• Develop a robotic system for sorting and recycling medical waste.
• Design a low-cost, portable device for diagnosing bird flu in poultry farms.
• Create a system for monitoring and optimizing energy usage in aquariums.
• Develop a smart traffic signal system for reducing congestion on highways.
• Design a compact, portable device for testing water oxygen levels in rivers.
• Create a device for monitoring and reducing energy usage in botanical gardens.
• Develop a robotic system for sorting and recycling hazardous waste .
• Design a low-cost, portable device for diagnosing swine flu in pig farms.
• Create a system for monitoring and optimizing energy usage in theme parks.
• Develop a smart transportation system for optimizing bus routes.
• Design a compact, portable device for testing water nitrate levels in lakes.
• Create a device for monitoring and reducing energy usage in ski resorts.
• Develop a robotic system for sorting and recycling automotive waste.
• Design a low-cost, portable device for diagnosing mad cow disease in cattle farms.
• Create a system for monitoring and optimizing energy usage in botanical gardens.
• Develop a smart traffic signal system for reducing congestion in school zones.
• Design a compact, portable device for testing water phosphate levels in rivers.
• Create a device for monitoring and reducing energy usage in wildlife reserves.
• Develop a robotic system for sorting and recycling household hazardous waste.
• Design a low-cost, portable device for diagnosing avian influenza in poultry farms.
• Create a system for monitoring and optimizing energy usage in wildlife reserves.
• Develop a smart transportation system for optimizing shuttle routes.

These Mechanical Engineering Capstone project ideas cover various topics and can be tailored to fit multiple levels of complexity and resources available to students. Students can choose a project based on their interests and available resources.

Tips For Success In Capstone Project Execution 

Here are some easy tips for success with your engineering final project:

• Start early – Don’t wait until the last minute. Give yourself plenty of time.
• Break it down – Break the project into smaller tasks and set deadlines. This makes it less overwhelming.
• Ask for help – Talk to your professor if you get stuck. Bounce ideas off classmates.
• Research thoroughly – Learn everything you can about your topic. Understanding it is key.
• Record as you go – Take detailed notes and photos. Document the whole process.
• Test, test, test – Test continuously as you develop your project. Fix issues as they come up.
• Stay organized – Use checklists and notebooks to stay on track. Clutter causes chaos.
• Relax – Take study breaks and get good sleep. Don’t let stress sabotage your success.
• Practice presenting – Prepare and rehearse what you’ll say for project presentations.
• Proofread – Double-check your paper and slides for any errors before turning them in.
• Enjoy the process – Have fun bringing your ideas to life! The learning experience is invaluable.

Final Remarks

Congratulations on finishing our Mechanical Engineering capstone project ideas guide! This blog has helped give you ideas to find the perfect project for your final endeavor. Remember, your capstone project isn’t just a requirement to graduate – it’s a chance to make a real impact in mechanical engineering. 

Whether you choose one of our ideas or come up with your own, welcome the challenge and enjoy the journey. As you start on your final project, remember the skills you’ve learned, ask your professors and industry professionals for guidance, and manage your time well.

Your hard work and dedication will pay off as you show your abilities and contribute to the exciting world of mechanical engineering. Best of luck with your final project, and may it be the start of many more successes in your engineering career!

Similar Articles

170 Fun & Interesting Chemistry Project Ideas For Students

Science experiments can seem intimidating, but doing hands-on chemistry projects at home is a fun way for students of all…

170 Creative Product Ideas For School Projects

School projects let students learn new things and show their creativity. These projects are more than just assignments. They let…

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Top 100 Capstone Project Ideas For Engineering Students In 2022

Hello guys, welcome back to my blog. In this article, I will share the top 10 capstone project ideas for engineering students in 2021, what is a capstone project, topics for a capstone project, etc.

Also, read:

Capstone Project Ideas

A capstone project is done for one year by students, they will work on a project for two-semester. In the capstone project, students will study the research papers in deep and design their project by using some tools.

03. Maritime DC Power System With Generation Topology Consisting of Combination of Permanent Magnet Generator and Diode Rectifier .

05. Low-Voltage Unipolar Inverter Based on Top-Gate Electric-Double-Layer Thin-Film Transistors Gated by Silica Proton Conductor .

07. Analysis of Electrical Impedance Myography Electrodes Configuration for Local Muscle Fatigue Evaluation Based on Finite Element Method .

11. Sub-THz Circularly Polarized Horn Antenna Using Wire Electrical Discharge Machining for 6G Wireless Communications .

13. Bidirectional Three-Level Cascaded Converter With Deadbeat Control for HESS in Solar-Assisted Electric Vehicles .

15. Ageing: Causes and Effects on the Reliability of Polypropylene Film Used for HVDC Capacitor .

19. Development of a Portable Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy System for Bio-Detection .

22. A New Coil Structure and Its Optimization Design With Constant Output Voltage and Constant Output Current for Electric Vehicle Dynamic Wireless Charging .

23. A Graphical Game Approach to Electrical Vehicle Charging Scheduling: Correlated Equilibrium and Latency Minimization .

28. Vulnerability Assessment of Equipment Excited by Disturbances Based on Support Vector Machine and Gaussian Process Regression .

31. Design and Verification Test of an HTS Leakage Flux-Controlled Reactor .

33. Current Reconstruction of Bundle Conductors Based on Tunneling Magnetoresistive Sensors .

38. Teaching Power Electronics With a Design-Oriented, Project-Based Learning Method at the Technical University of Denmark .

39. A Circuits and Systems Perspective of Organic/Printed Electronics: Review, Challenges, and Contemporary and Emerging Design Approaches .

42. Cost-Effective Printed Electrodes Based on Emerging Materials Applied to Biosignal Acquisition .

43. A Review and Analysis of Automatic Optical Inspection and Quality Monitoring Methods in Electronics Industry .

48. Teaching Electronics to Aeronautical Engineering Students by Developing Projects .

53. Switching Performance Analysis of Vertical GaN FinFETs: Impact of Interfin Designs .

58. Superior Implementation of Accelerated QR Decomposition for Ultrasound Imaging .

63. Full-Duplex SWIPT Relaying Based on Spatial-Modulation .

68. Adaptive Zeroing-Gradient Controller for Ship Course Tracking With Near Singularity Considered and Zero Theoretical Tracking Error .

73. A Hybrid Method of Remaining Useful Life Prediction for Aircraft Auxiliary Power Unit .

79. Resource Allocation for D2D Links in the FFR and SFR Aided Cellular Downlink .

83. A Multi-Carrier-Frequency Random-Transmission Chirp Sequence for TDM MIMO Automotive Radar .

88. An Improved Matrix Generation Framework for Thermal Aware Placement in VLSI .

93. Motor Design and Characteristics Comparison of Outer-Rotor-Type BLDC Motor and BLAC Motor Based on Numerical Analysis .

98. Development of a 7.5kW High Speed Interior Permanent Magnet Synchronous Spindle Motor for CNC Milling Machine .

Author Profile

Latest entries

Author Archives

Chetan Shidling

Interest's ~ Engineering | Entrepreneurship | Politics | History | Travelling | Content Writing | Technology | Cooking

You May Also Like

Tesla setting up local subsidiary and a corporate office in bangalore, quiz on single phase motor, electrical machine quiz, types of cell balancing topologies, active and passive cell balancing.

WhatsApp us for service