Where Engineering Theory Meets the Real World
Students learn best by doing, and the capstone program is the perfect place for young engineers to begin solving real-world problems.
Past semesters have included projects in agribusiness, healthcare, game hunting, recreation, rocketry, education, structural engineering, alternative energy, business systems, transportation, and entertainment.
Check out our most recent teams!
GalleryCapstone Design Program Details
Program
Capstone is a two-semester culminating activity that brings students’ foundational and theoretical learning together in a hands-on, problem-solving effort. Student teams work with sponsoring companies to design and build projects that meet the sponsors’ needs. This real-world experience teaches communication, interdisciplinary teamwork, specifications, and design.
Key Concepts
- Identify and define a problem
- Design solutions within the parameters presented by the sponsor
- Test their ideas and make appropriate modifications to meet client needs
Capstone Design Showcase
Mechanical Engineering Capstone Design students proudly share their accomplishments with a display of their work. Previous semesters have showcased projects in agribusiness, refrigeration, manufacturing, entertainment, robotics, electric vehicles, heavy equipment, production efficiency, and education.
Sponsorship
Why Sponsor a Project?
We rely on our industry partners to be a part of the learning process! Bring us your vision or problem and allow our engineers to explore the possibilities and present a solution.
Volunteer
Our students benefit from the real-world experience of industry professionals. If you have an interest in mentoring a team, helping us recruit new project sponsors, or even act as an occasional consultant, WE WANT YOU!
Questions about sponsoring, volunteering, or just being a part of Senior Design
Contact our senior design instructors:
Fall/Spring Program
Aaron Smith
Fall/Spring project coordinator
(208) 426-2360
Office: RUCH 209
Aaronsmith9@boisestate.edu
Spring/Fall Program
Hannah O’Hern
Spring/Fall project coordinator
Office: RUCH 208
Hannahohern@boisestate.edu
Sponsor Approved
I wanted to thank you for allowing me to participate in the Boise State University Capstone Project program this year. I worked closely with the team … and have been impressed with these students. Over my career I have hired and worked with dozens of engineering seniors, and I can say without a doubt that these are some of the best and brightest I have experienced.
Their work on the Porvair design this year was very professional, detailed, and they delivered well beyond my expectations. The final working model displays genuine effort, thought and ingenuity which developed over the course of the project.
You should be proud of this team, as they have exemplified what I would anticipate coming from the Boise State University Engineering College.
Jerry Young, General Manager
Engineering Manager, Microelectronics
Porvair-Boise
Past Projects
2020-2025
Year
Projects
Company
2025 (Sp)
Vacuum-controlled liquid delivery system for disposable syringes
Vault Paragon Group, Inc.
2025 (Sp)
Inspection System for Visual Inspection, and Defect Classification
Sandia National Laboratories
2025 (Sp)
Drone Payload Arm for Stringing Power Lines
Pitch Aeronautics
2025 (Sp)
Moto-Seat Design for Manufacturing
Will Sexton, Coyote Prosthetics
2025 (Sp)
Tooling Optimization using Additive Manufacturing
Machone Solutions LLC
2025 (Sp)
Laminar Batter Curtain of Varying Viscosity
Lamb Weston
2025 (Sp)
Bi-axial prosthetic foot testing machine
Coyote Prosthetics
2025 (Sp)
Ergonomic Poly Roll Handling
Georgia-Pacific
2025 (Sp)
Lemon Juicer
Kristina Martin
2025 (Sp)
Design and Implementation of a Support System for Hydraulic Press Tooling Transition and Safety Enhancement
Boise State University Engineering Innovation Studio
2025 (Sp)
Design of Idealized Independent Front Suspension
Delta Vehicle Systems
2025 (Sp)
Manual Culvert Cleaning Device
Martha Brabec/City of Boise Parks and Recreation
2025 (Sp)
Human Knee Facsimile for Athletic Trainers
Boise State University Athletic Training Program
2025 (Sp)
Combination Adult/Infant Breathing Machine Project
Boise State University(BABI Lab)
2024 (Fa)
New Experimental Methods Lab
ME313
2024 (Fa)
Boise State Cycle Learning Center
Spoke Tension Calibration Device
2024 (Fa)
Bench Top Tensile and Compression Testing System
Dr. Sophia Theodossiou
2024 (Fa)
Accessible Paddle for Persons with Physical Challenges
Challenged Athletes Foundation
2024 (Fa)
Thermoplastic Press
Boise State University Engineering Innovation Studio
2024 (Fa)
Plasma Array Enclosure
Jim Browning
2024 (Fa)
Automatic Print Bed Unloading Device for Prusa MK3S
Willowview Consulting, LLC
2024 (Sp)
Foot Orthotic Design for Production Additive Manufacturing
3D Printing Mentality
2024 (Sp)
Nordic Sit-Ski Calibration
Challenged Athletes Foundation
2024 (Sp)
Engineered Solutions to Human/Beaver Conflicts in the Built Environment
Martha Brabec/City of Boise Parks and Recreation
2024 (Sp)
2 part prosthetic foot shell with replaceable tread
Coyote Prosthetics
2024 (Sp)
Design and build of benchtop injection molding machine
Boise State University Engineering Innovation Studio
2024 (Sp)
Portable Gas Flare Stack
Inter mountain Gas Company
2024 (Sp)
Self-clearing, impact reducing grizzly screen
Tablerock Technologies LLC (DBA as JB Laser)
2024 (Sp)
Validating bottom flap integrity during boxing process
Lamb Weston
2024 (Sp)
EUV mask pod unlock, open, and transfer tool
Photronics
2024 (Sp)
Spring Fatigue and Visual Inspection Tester
Sandia National Laboratories
2024 (Sp)
Implementation of the Kneed Walking Robot
Aykut Satici / Boise State University
2023 (Fa)
Three Point Bend Testing Apparatus
Dr. Nick Hudyma
2023 (Fa)
Customized cell and biomaterial 3D printer
Dr. Sophia Theodossiou
2023 (Fa)
Hockey Puck Passing Device
Bob Shirley
2023 (Fa)
Lobster Butchering Device
Reyco Systems
2023 (Fa)
Concentrated Solar Coffee Bean Roaster
Dr. Todd Otanicar
2023 (Fa)
SLA Curing Enclosure
Visioneering Space
2023 (Sp)
High Torque Eccentric Electric Motor: Closed Loop Control Implementation
Bastian Solutions
2023 (Sp)
Multi-functional ankle hardware for new foot prostheses
Coyote Prosthetics
2023 (Sp)
Fixture for Installing Labels on Fiber Arrays
Fiberguide Industries, Inc.
2023 (Sp)
Large Rock Conveyor for the Aggregate Business
JB Laser
2023 (Sp)
Ergonomic Forming Tube Change Mechanism
Lamb Weston
2023 (Sp)
Multi-functional ankle hardware for new foot prostheses
Coyote Prosthetics
2023 (Sp)
Magnetically-activated bioreactor
Dr. Zhangxian (Dan) Deng
2023 (Sp)
Adaptive Off-Road Handcycle
Stinger Outdoor Group LLC
2023 (Sp)
Mechanical Actuation of Cells within Bioreactor
Dr. Sophia Theodossiou
2022 (Sp)
Testing apparatus to measure leak rake between nickel and titanium component
Visioneering Space Corp
2022 (Sp)
Design of sand screw for new gold mining process
JB laser
2022 (Sp)
Mass simulating apparatus for CODEX coronagraph telescope
Visioneering Space Corp
2022 (Fa)
Remotely operable part removal system for FDM 3D printing
Willowview Consulting, LLC
2022 (Fa)
Infant Changing Table Safety
Kids in Danger
2022 (Fa)
Design of a new payload arm for Pitch Aeronautic’s Astria up-close
and touch-capable drone to install bird diverters.
Pitch Aeronautics
2022 (Fa)
Design of a drone-placeable bird diverter for power lines
POWER Engineers
2022 (Fa)
Exploration of Product Concepts for Structured Aluminum
SAKAE Casting
2022 (Fa)
Design Optimization for Production Additive Manufacturing (3D Printing)
3D Printing Mentality
2021 (Sp)
Ultrasound Scanning System
Center for Orthopedic and Biomechanics Research
2021 (Sp)
InDepth Corporation
Towed Array Design
2021 (Sp)
Fiber Alignment Tool
Fiberguide Industries
2021 (Sp)
Automated Fiber Prep
Fiberguide Industries
2021 (Sp)
Harbor Freight Tools, Inc.
Hardware Product Design
2021 (Sp)
Micron Mask
Micron Technology
2021 (Fa)
Thermal Adhesive Pasting Robot
Plexus, Inc.
2021 (Fa)
Cattle Bolus Housing Design
Willowtree Consulting
2021 (Fa)
Adjustable/Collapsible Stand for TISABAS Conveyor Unit
Ramper Innovations, Inc.
2021 (Fa)
Interchangeable Automation Robot Housing
Kaitech Automation
2021 (Fa)
Capillary Action and Evaporation in Porous Media
SAKAE Casting
2021 (Fa)
Automated Crack Inspection Through Visual Processing
Pitch Aero Corp.
2021 (Fa)
Universal Filter Test Rig
Porvair Filtration Group Inc.
2020 (Fa)
Robot inversion and mounting device
House of Design
2020 (Fa)
Universal Tooling for Board Assembly
Plexus Corp.
2020 (Fa)
PTFE filter wrapping and sealing machine.
Porvair Filtration Group, Boise-Division
2015-2020
Year
Projects
Company
2019 (Fa)
Industrial Cold Storage Faculty
Power Engineers
2019(Fa)
Spherical Reconnaissance Robot
Willowview Consulting, LLC
2019(Fa)
Universal Frozen Food End Effector
Bastian Solutions
2019(Sp)
Door Rework Station
Woodgrain Doors
2019 (Sp)
Hydroelectric Turbine Model
Idaho Power