Biological Systems Engineering

Team Members

• Kayleigh Caulder
• Michael Coniglio

Overview

Our project focuses on developing a practical, farmer-friendly system to reduce nutrient pollution in agricultural ponds using biochar. While modern agricultural practices have increased productivity, they have also contributed to nutrient runoff, where excess nitrogen and phosphorus enter nearby water bodies. This leads to harmful algal blooms, degraded water quality, and nutrient loss from soils, forcing farmers to rely on additional fertilizer. We aim to address both issues by using biochar to capture nutrients in ponds and then reuse it as a soil amendment.

Biochar, a carbon-rich material made from biomass such as crop residue, has a porous structure that allows it to adsorb nutrients from soil and water. Our goal is to design a system that allows farmers to easily deploy, remove, and reuse biochar in a cost-effective and scalable way.

To guide our design, we established key criteria and constraints including, but not limited to, the following: ensure at least 90% biochar recovery, maintain a system cost under $5,000, require minimal maintenance, operate safely without specialized training, and last at least five years. We also prioritized accessibility by selecting materials that are widely available and easy to transport, while ensuring compliance with environmental and safety regulations.

We tested three design alternatives: mesh bags, a floating raft, and a biochar filter. Each concept was assessed based on criteria such as cost, durability, ease of use, safety, and effectiveness. After comparing these options using decision matrices and experimentation, we will select the best of the three options for the Senior Design Showcase and prepare instructional materials for integration by farmers around Nebraska.

Overall, our project delivers a scalable and practical approach to integrating biochar into agricultural systems. By combining water treatment with soil improvement, our design has the potential to improve farm sustainability while addressing nutrient pollution. Further testing and refinement will help us validate performance and support future implementation through the Nebraska Forest Service.

Team Members

• Gibson Ebaugh
• Jillian Bailey
• Calen Pollard

Overview

The goal of this project is to design a small hickory nut orientation machine that reliably positions Shagbark hickory nut cultivars. Shagbark hickory nuts will be fed into the system. A vibratory feeder will orient the nuts by shaking the hickory nuts until oriented properly into the designed grid. Once the hickory nuts are passed through the grid, the collected nuts will be gathered in tubes to be further processed. Currently, hickory nut processing is a labor-intensive process that does not ensure retrieval of quarters/halves. This orientation component will allow for hickory nuts to be placed correctly before processing.

Team Members

• Sydney Haffener
• Makayla Schmidt
• Sophia Hass
• Ethan Wooldrik
• Kaden Durand
• Blake Cerny

Overview

We are a combined group of biological systems engineering and mechanical engineering students working on a portable functional electrical stimulation device (PFESD) for people who have limited or no activation of the tibialis anterior muscle that picks up the toe. This project was contracted by Dr. Hannah Shield, a physical therapist in Arizona who works with patients with drop foot. Drop foot is a condition where someone cannot pick up the end of the foot, and this leads to significant impairment of walking abilities. The device works similarly to a TENS unit where the electrodes are placed on the shin bone to activate the tibialis anterior muscle at a higher and lower point. Then as the subject is walking, when there is no contact with the ground detected by a weight sensor located under the foot, the muscle is activated by electrical stimulation so the toe will be raised. Then when the foot makes contact with the ground, the electrical stimulation shuts off. The goal of this project is to design a device that is effective while still being cost effective. 

Team Members

• Davis Shafer
• Brady Giles
• Contessa Karnowski
• Jake Seip
• Samantha Kluthe

Overview

It is a well-known fact that shower environments are one of the most dangerous places for seniors and those of low mobility. To combat the negative effects of mobility struggles in the shower, Kelly Van Ert, an Omaha-based occupational therapist, founded a company called Empower Independence. The goal of Van Ert’s company is to bring back independence to individuals with limited mobility so that they can live in freedom without fear of falling. Because many falls take place in the shower, the first step that Empower Independence is taking towards safety for all is a board-based product to make it easier to grab shower products.

The Showerability product from Empower Independence Company aims to reduce fall risks, enhance stability, and keep necessities within easy reach to minimize physical strain on the individual and any caretakers. Showerability is a board that attaches to the wall of a shower in two different height settings, allowing for shower aid for seated patients and standing patients. This is done by incorporating a place for soaps and other shower items with a handrail that can be attached to the shower wall. The design can be utilized in a patient’s home, rehabilitation facilities, and hospitals. The handrail provides support for the individual, while the metal sheet provides a place for hygiene products to be easily within reach using magnetic meshes that attach to the board. To best support both seated and standing patients, the product must incorporate a board setting above and below the grab bar. In this way, patients in various positions will be able to use the Showerability board.

The current design allows the sheet to be placed above or below the handrail, which is attached to the wall. This model does not work because the locking mechanism utilizes a weak pin system, which is unwieldy for the caretaker to use because of the weight of the design and the faulty pins. The process to change the settings of the board is time-consuming and directs the caretaker’s focus away from the patient. For the patient, this would only add to the barriers that already exist for them. The strength of this design is also in question, as the design must not fall or break, leading to further patient injuries. Van Ert’s company is on a mission to introduce safety and security in the shower setting, and this will begin with a sturdy Showerability product design that emphasizes stability and ease of use.

Seniors and individuals with physical limitations often struggle to step into bathtubs, navigate slick shower surfaces, and reach hygiene products, which significantly increase fall and injury risk while performing basic health maintenance tasks. Showerability has developed an accessible board that will aid these individuals in the shower, but there still remains a risk of injury because of the current faulty locking mechanism.

Team Members

• Michael Hirschbrunner
• Miles Draus
• Wesley Wheeler
• Daniel Bashtovoi
• Max Carlson
• Jaycob Anderson

Overview

Bed sores develop from prolonged immobility and poor blood flow, especially in inpatient or surgical settings. If untreated, they can lead to infections, delayed recovery, and increased healthcare costs (Bhattacharya, 2015).​ Prevalence can be ~5–15% among hospitalized patients; up to 14.3% in ICU populations (Mondragon, 2024).​ Detection usually occurs after visible skin damage, not during early thermal or circulatory changes.​ Despite the prevalence of pressure injuries in hospitals, nursing homes, and long-term care facilities, there is currently no minimally invasive method for early prediction of areas at risk of pressure sores.​ This absence of early detection leads to delayed treatment, risk of infection, patient discomfort, longer hospital stays, and higher healthcare costs.​This project’s objective is to establish a method in which pressure injuries, such as bedsores, can be predicted using a thermal imaging system. While integrating into UNMC’s established Nurse turn team protocol, the system must be easily transportable, not block any already existing equipment in the room, and must not be invasive to the patient with no skin contact.

Team Members

• Keifer Anderson
• Christina Carozza
• Victor Oliva
• Logan Kapels

Overview

Agriculture serves as a foundational pillar of Uganda’s economy, employing a large portion of the population and acting as the primary source of income for rural communities. The country’s fertile soils and tropical climate create ideal conditions for cultivating a diverse range of fruits, including pineapples, mangoes, bananas, and papayas. Many smallholder farmers practice mixed farming systems, growing a variety of crops to sustain their households and local communities. While this approach supports food security, it also limits opportunities for large- scale production and consistent income generation, as most farmers sell only surplus produce in nearby markets.

Despite strong agricultural productivity, Uganda faces significant post-harvest challenges that hinder the profitability of fruit farming. Limited transportation infrastructure makes it difficult for small-scale farmers to efficiently deliver their produce to market. As a result, fruits are often subjected to multiple handling stages, increasing the likelihood of bruising, damage, and spoilage. Upon reaching local markets, farmers frequently encounter oversupply, which drives prices down and reduces potential earnings. Additionally, the hot and humid climate accelerates the deterioration of unsold produce. Collectively, these issues contribute to an estimated 30–40% loss of harvested fruit annually.

To mitigate spoilage, many farmers rely on traditional preservation techniques such as open-air sun drying. This method typically involves placing sliced fruit on mats or plastic sheets under direct sunlight. While accessible and low-cost, open-air drying exposes produce to contaminants such as dust, insects, and unexpected rainfall, leading to inconsistent quality and potential food safety concerns. Alternative solutions, such as mechanical dehydrators, are often impractical due to their high cost and reliance on electricity. These resources are not consistently available in many rural areas.

This project aims to address these challenges by developing an affordable, renewable- energy powered fruit dehydrator tailored to the needs of small-scale farmers in Uganda. By utilizing locally available materials and energy-efficient design principles, the proposed solution seeks to provide a practical and sustainable method for preserving fruit harvests. Extending the shelf life of fruits will allow farmers to reduce post-harvest losses, store surplus production, and access markets more strategically, ultimately improving their earning potential.

In addition to reducing waste, the project seeks to promote economic growth and community resilience by creating new income opportunities and strengthening local food systems. The emphasis on environmentally friendly design also supports the advancement of sustainable agricultural practices within rural communities. Overall, this initiative aims to bridge

the gap between production and preservation, empowering farmers with a reliable tool to enhance productivity, profitability, and long-term sustainability.

Team Members

• Abigail White
• Ella Lawrence

Overview

The purpose of this senior design project is to develop a solar-powered seed oil press that improves oil extraction efficiency for small-scale farmers in Uganda. The project aims to create a system that is affordable, durable, and adaptable to locally available materials while reducing reliance on grid electricity or manual labor. Key goals include designing and modeling the press in CAD, analyzing power requirements for solar integration, and optimizing the mechanical components for maximum yield and ease of maintenance. Through collaboration with local stakeholders and adherence to relevant ASABE and ISO standards, this project seeks to deliver a sustainable engineering solution that enhances agricultural productivity and supports community self-sufficiency.

Team Members

• Madeline Stephens
• Emma Rhode
• Addie Smith
• Ariel Ammentorp

Overview

This project focuses on the design and prototyping of a robotic mobility module that integrates with existing telehealth carts at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC). Currently, telehealth carts must be manually transported and positioned by clinical staff, which interrupts workflow, adds to staff workload, and may delay patient-clinician interactions. The proposed robotic module will enable remote nurses or operators to navigate the cart to a specified location without requiring in-person assistance.

The primary engineering objectives of this project include developing a safe and reliable navigation system, achieving accurate and repeatable positioning within patient rooms, and ensuring compatibility with existing telehealth hardware and clinical workflows. Additional considerations include obstacle detection, speed control, and adherence to hospital safety standards. The overall goal is to reduce staff burden, minimize placement delays, and improve the efficiency and consistency of telehealth. This project inherently reflects the real-world engineering design process by requiring iterative prototyping, integration, testing under realistic constraints, and making design decisions that balance technical feasibility, safety, cost, and user needs.