Engineering Projects
In this engineering project, scholars gain hands-on experience moving an idea from design concept to working prototype. Teams design a simple printed circuit board using KiCad, prepare it for professional fabrication and assembly, and then test and validate the finished hardware. Along the way, scholars practice core engineering skills including research, system design, component selection, peer review, troubleshooting, and technical documentation.
Spring 2026
This project focused on designing and building a printed circuit board (PCB) for a smart lighting system that automatically turns on in low-light conditions. The circuit was first designed and simulated using LTspice, then tested on a breadboard to improve reliability before being converted into a PCB using KiCad. Throughout the design process, challenges such as component variability, hysteresis, and power supply selection were addressed through testing and iterative refinement. After fabrication, the completed PCB was assembled and evaluated to verify its performance. This project demonstrated the complete PCB design workflow, from circuit simulation and prototyping to fabrication and functional testing. Learn more about our research here.