Engineering Design Expo
Trine University’s annual Engineering Design Expo offers the public the opportunity to learn more about the latest innovative solutions developed by university students. Hosted by the Allen School of Engineering and Computing, the free event displays projects completed by seniors within the school as part of their curriculum at Trine. Projects, many of which benefit area businesses and community organizations, demonstrate how Trine engineering students have applied what they have learned to real-world challenges.
2025 Allen School of Engineering and Computing Design Expo
Friday, April 25, 1-3 p.m. · MTI Center
Student Exhibits
Modular Shell and Tube Heat Exchanger
Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering Highlight
The goal of this project is to build a 3D printed tubular heat exchanger and use it as part of a demonstration or teaching unit. Large portions of the exchanger were made from modular 3D printed material and so can be easily replaced and reconfigured. The exchanger was built and connected to a hot / cold water source and existing measurement instrumentation. Data was compiled and the overall exchanger duty as well as overall and individual heat transfer coefficients were computed.
Basic Utility Vehicle Design
Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Highlight
In 2019, A team of Trine students took home the championship trophy at the annual Basic Utility Vehicle Design Competition hosted by the Institute of Affordable Transportation. It is the first time that Trine has won the event.
The goal of the competition is to provide an opportunity to create a utility vehicle that is capable of pumping water into barrels and transporting them under harsh driving conditions. Similar vehicles are used in rural and developing countries to help deliver a wide variety of hygienic and agricultural items. The competition occurs at a closed course provided by the University of Cincinnati to determine the functionality and reliability in a realistic situation.
Vesper
Electrical Engineering
Drone racing initially started as a hobby. However, with advancements in technology,
drone racing is rapidly approaching recognition as a worldwide sport. In our project
,“Vesper,” we have addressed the most important component of drone racing, the race
course. Unlike other courses, project “Vesper” does not require additional equipment
attached to the drone. The course is easy to set up and will display information such
as speed, lap time, and race position of each drone. The course will consist of three
smart gates. A smart gate has sensors that will detect multiple drones racing at the
same time. Each gate is able to identify up to three drones based on their frequency.
The gates are able to transfer data to a central location via wireless signal. Project
“Vesper” will allow amateurs to host drone races and practice on their own.
Learn more here
Town of Hamilton Beach Project
Civil Engineering
This project is a fantastic opportunity to create a safe area for visitors to go to
the Hamilton Beach area. Proposed was reworking of the parking lot, addition of a
restroom area, providing shade at the beach and a safe travel path to the local ice
cream shop.
Learn more about this project
Scooter-Bicycle & Communication App
Biomedical Engineering
The Scooter-Bicycle & Communication App project, that project was in partnership with Dr. John Shank and Dr. John Shank Jr. Both devices are to be used by Dr. John Shank Jr. who suffered a stroke in 2010. The Shank Bike is to assist with Dr. Shank Jr.’s participation in triathlons.Learn more about this project