from the President What would it take to ...?

t is my privilege to represent In service of these goals, my focus for my year as presi- ASABE as your president for dent will be to continue the excellent projects already under- the 2019-2020 year. I thank way in our Society, such as the work of the digital strategies IMaury Salz for his excellent committee in developing strategies for capitalizing on social leadership as president and Steve media. In addition, I will focus on goal 5 and work to foster Searcy as past-president for 2018- a culture in which every ASABE member can participate 2019, and for the generous mentor- authentically, and work with an ad-hoc committee to articu- ing they provided to me during my late strong, clear, and transparent guidelines for what that year as president-elect. inclusive culture entails. I’ve been a professor in the I write this column as I return from the productive 2019 biosystems and agricultural engi- Annual International Meeting in Boston. Of the approxi- neering department at the University of Kentucky for mately 1800 individuals who attended the AIM, I was encour- 24 years, and I’m currently serving as the associate dean for aged to hear that 48% were age 35 and under. The global faculty affairs and facilities in the College of Engineering. I challenges that we face in the next 30 years are attracting grew up in a small rural community in northeastern Ohio and young, creative minds, and ASABE is there to provide a plat- was an active member of 4-H from the ages of 9 to 19, typi- form for working toward our common goals. cally raising and showing market lambs. Our family also Joel Makower, keynote speaker for the AIM’s general owned a floral shop and a few greenhouses, where we raised session, spoke to us about “From Here to Sustainability.” He orchids. I graduated with a BS and MS in agricultural engi- challenged us with the question “What would it take to…?” neering from The Ohio State University and worked as a and invited us to fill in the blank. For example, what would it design engineer for Ford and as a civilian engineer for the take for me, personally, to live more sustainably? I continue Army before returning to education to obtain my PhD from to find this question thought-provoking, particularly in rela- North Carolina State University in biological and agricultural tion to the leadership within ASABE. For example, what engineering. Most of my recent research work has been engi- would it take to increase the membership value for our mem- neering systems to use microorganisms to produce industrial bers who do not attend the AIM? enzymes and biofuels from lignocellulose. In this issue of Resource, as you read about the student ASABE has five goals: Capstone design projects, ask yourself what it would take to 1. Raise the global prominence of the agricultural and involve more of our industry members in university Capstone biological engineering profession. programs. A recent survey of our industry members’ prefer- 2. Advance ASABE as the leading source of expertise in ences showed a strong interest in creating a forum for net- agricultural, food, and biological systems engineering. working between industry and academia. Could this forum be 3. Position ASABE as the preferred engineering society an entry point to collaboration on Capstone design projects? for technical professionals in agricultural, food, and And I challenge you: what would it take to fulfill your biological systems. aspiration? If you have answers to any of these questions, or 4. Lead the development and maintenance of relevant if you have other questions, I’d love to hear from you. technical standards. 5. Cultivate a diverse, thriving, and engaged member- Sue Nokes ship. [email protected]

events calendar 2021 ASABE CONFERENCES AND INTERNATIONAL MEETINGS July 11-14 ASABE Annual International Meeting. To receive more information about ASABE conferences and meetings, Anaheim, Calif., USA. call ASABE at 800-371-2723 or e-mail [email protected]. ENDORSED EVENTS 2020 2019 Feb. 10-12 Agricultural Equipment Technology Conference Sept. 23-26 International Congress on Engineering and (AETC). Louisville, Ky., USA. Food. South Wharf, Melbourne, Australia. July 12-15 ASABE Annual International Meeting. Omaha, Neb., USA.

2 September/October 2019 RESOURCE September/October 2019 Vol. 26 No. 5 www.asabe.org/Resource

Magazine staff: Joseph C. Walker, Publisher, engineering and technology for a sustainable world September/October 2019 [email protected]; Melissa Miller, Managing Editor, [email protected]; Sue Mitrovich, Contributing Editor, [email protected]; Glenn Laing, Technical Editor, [email protected]; FEATURES Sandy Rutter, Consultants Listings, [email protected]; Darrin Drollinger, Executive 4 The First Word: Capstones: A Win-Win-Win Director, [email protected]. Steve Zahos, Guest Editor Editorial Board: Chair Stephen Zahos, Solving Real-World Problems through Capstone University of Illinois; Secretary/Vice Chair Tony 5 Grift, University of Illinois; Past Chair Brian Jane Fife, Dewey Mann, and Eric Klever Steward, Iowa State University. 6 Lifelong Learning for Engineering Graduates Board Members: Paul Burkner, Ag Industrial 6 Mark Dougherty, P.E., Jeremiah Davis, P.E., Jonathan Davis, P.E., Manufacturing; Victor Duraj, University of California, Davis; Morgan Hayes, University of and Oladiran Fasina, P.E. Kentucky; Deepak Kumar, University of Illinois; 7 Holistic Management for the Red Cedar River’s Concrete Weir Debabrata Sahoo, Woolpert Inc.; Leon Schumacher, University of Missouri; Gurdeep Matt Champion, Cody Howard, Brittany MacIntyre, Sam Rolling, Singh, The Climate Corp.; Amelie Sirois-Leclerc, Dana Kirk, P.E., Luke Reese, and Steven Safferman, P.E. Bayer CropScience Canada; Erin Webb, Oak Ridge National Laboratory; Shane Williams, 8 Capstone Students Serve Community Partners Kuhn North America; and Staci Yagow. Deepak Keshwani

Resource: engineering and technology for a 10 Resource Production during Disaster Recovery sustainable world (ISSN 1076-3333) Eric McLamore and Richard Scholtz (USPS 009-560) is published six times per year—January/February, March/April, 11 Bringing the Workplace to the Classroom May/June, July/August, September/October, 11 Stormy Kretzschmar November/December—by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological 12 A Successful Student-Driven Capstone Experience Engineers (ASABE), 2950 Niles Road, Danny Mann, P.Eng. St. Joseph, MI 49085-9659, USA. 13 Designing Solutions and Building Confidence POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Alicia Modenbach, P.E. Resource, 2950 Niles Road, St. Joseph, MI 49085-9659, USA. Periodical postage is paid at 14 Brewing Up a Sustainable Future St. Joseph, MI, USA, and additional post offices. Nick DeMoss, Tom Costello, P.E., and Scott Osborn, P.E. ADVERTISING: www.asabe.org/advertise. 15 Improving the Beef Jerky Process—A Tasty Project SUBSCRIPTIONS: Contact ASABE order Sonia Maassel Jacobsen, P.E., and Jonathan Chaplin, P.E. department, 269-932-7004. Seniors Design an Urban Garden for School Children COPYRIGHT 2019 by American Society of 19 17 Agricultural and Biological Engineers. Prasanta Kalita, Nora Onstad, and Alan Hansen Permission to reprint articles available on 18 Capstone Teams Choose their Challenges request. Reprints can be ordered in large Paul Weckler, P.E. quantities for a fee. Contact Sandy Rutter, 269-932-7004. Statements in this publication 19 Building the Total Engineer represent individual opinions. Rebecca Nagy Resource: engineering and technology for a 20 Industry-Driven Capstone Design sustainable world and ASABE assume no responsibility for statements and opinions Scott Noble and Brian Berscheid expressed by contributors. Views advanced 21 Senior Design Projects Can Be Life-Changing in the editorials are those of the contributors Ed Brokesh, P.E. and do not necessarily represent the official position of ASABE. 20 22 Providing Solutions to Intersecting Challenges Think Green! The poly-bag protecting this John Lumkes, P.E. magazine can be recycled. Just toss it in with your other recycling. DEPARTMENTS ON THE COVER: ASABE member and 2 From the President/Events 26 2019 Boston/AIM Photo University of Arkansas Calendar Recap senior Lydia Huck at the ASABE Foundation Work Meet the Fellows Core Brewery. 24 28 in Focus Honoring the Newly Elected Give your time, your money, 29 Professional Opportunities American Society of Agricultural and yourself and Biological Engineers 26 2950 Niles Road Sonia Maassel Jacobsen, P.E. 30 Professional Listings St. Joseph, MI 49085-9659, USA 269-429-0300, fax 269-429-3852 25 VisualChallenge9: Last Call! 31 Last Word [email protected], www.asabe.org YPC News & Notes Why Capstones? Sonia Maassel Jacobsen, P.E. Gayle Baker, P.E. the First Word

Capstones: A Win-Win-Win

elcome to the second special Capstone Another great issue of Resource. Dozens of universi- benefit of Capstone ties across North America that offer programs is that agriculture-based engineering degree they bring in indus- Wprograms were asked to submit articles on their try sponsors, who Capstone courses. We were delighted to receive value the chance to amazing contributions that showcase the breadth and engage with stu- depth of Capstone projects, providing students with dents and evaluate “real world” design experience on top of their time talent for future in the classroom. employment. Capstone projects are expected to be open- To plug into a ended, rigorous, and have no obvious solution—at superb Capstone ASABE member Steve Zahos, the start of a project, no one knows the solution, not resource, check out ABET Report Coordinator, even the project sponsor! Capstone projects must the Capstone Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, also be bound by multiple constraints, incorporate Design Conference, University of Illinois at Urbana- appropriate engineering standards, and bring where like-minded Champaign, [email protected]. together a collaborative team. I think you will see all faculty and industry these components in the projects featured here. representatives meet As ASABE Past-President Sonia Maassel semi-annually to “provide a forum for the extended Jacobsen, says in her Last Word, Capstone courses Capstone design community ... to share ideas about are an important component of the ABET accredita- improving design-based Capstone courses” via pan- tion process for engineering programs. Accreditation els, posters, and small group discussions. The imparts credibility to the departments within which Capstone Design Conference began in 2007, and the Capstone programs reside. Fortunately, ABET is not next meeting will be held in Dallas, Texas, on proscriptive of Capstone project types, topic areas, June 1-3, 2020. Capstone stakeholders from around project sources, or results. Nor do Capstone courses the world will be there. Join the mailing list at have to embody the entire set of student outcomes www.capstoneconf.org. that address exposure to the design process, ethics But enough of the boilerplate. After I read the and professionalism, global engineering practices, stories in this issue, I decided that I should keep my environmental and societal contexts, standards, introduction short, get out of the way, and let you safety, effective communication, teamwork, and the savor the enthusiasm of the students, faculty, and like—which accredited programs must include in project sponsors profiled on the following pages. We their curricula. However, most Capstone projects often say that Capstone is a win-win-win for stu- incorporate most, if not all, of these student out- dents, sponsors, and the university. I think you’ll comes. agree. Enjoy!

4 September/October 2019 RESOURCE The Ohio State University Solving Real-World Problems through Capstone Jane Fife, Dewey Mann, and Eric Klever

ach year, OSU’s department of university. “Throughout food, agricultural, and biological the project, our goals engineering partners with compa- and strategy changed as nies and organizations on industry- we went through weeks Esponsored projects as part of the Capstone of research and testing,” design course. The Capstone experience said team member Eric aims to bridge the gap between the class- Klever. “The project room and industry. provided an opportunity The Capstone design course is offered to assemble a group of to seniors in two program areas: food, agri- students with diverse culture, and biological engineering (FABE) backgrounds to use the and agricultural systems management skill sets they developed (ASM). It’s a required course that allows throughout their under- students to apply the knowledge and engi- Students Chris Crunkleton (left) and Colton Bock (right) give graduate career to solve neering skills that they’ve gained in their Professor Larry Brown a live demonstration of their project. a problem.” academic work to solve real-world, open- At the end of the ended problems. academic year, the stu- production solutions for smallholder farm- There are many similarities among the dents gather for a design showcase to share ers in Tanzania and Cambodia, including Capstone structures in the FABE and ASM their project results with peers, sponsors, irrigation solutions, drone-based imagery courses: creating plausible solutions to real- faculty, and industry members. There are applications, and weed management. In world challenges and presenting the find- additional opportunities for students to addition, through projects sponsored by ings to industry or university stakeholders present their findings to professional organ- NASA’s eXploration Habitat (X-Hab) as well as to a panel of judges. izations, including ASABE. Challenge, several teams have worked with Past Capstone projects by FABE stu- Last March, one team presented their NASA engineers on developing solutions dents include a granular fertilizer metering design at a national disability conference. for growing food crops in space. unit, data-driven technology for yield mon- ASABE member Dee Jepsen, program One team of ASM students conducted itor resolution, assistive technologies for director of Ohio AgrAbility and project a pilot study to research new methods of agricultural machinery, stormwater man- advisor for the team said, “Those five food waste disposal for OSU’s residence agement assessments, and wastewater young engineers were rock stars at the con- halls. By 2025, OSU aims to divert 90% of remediation. Food-related projects have ference. Their project shows great potential the waste generated at the university away involved vertical farming, filtration sys- to impact persons with lower extremity dis- from landfills. The team determined that tems in dairy processing, and sensors for abilities. As they finesse their prototype, it composting of the food waste was the most detecting bacon readiness. Several interna- has patent potential for future skid loader realistic option to help the university work tional projects have focused on agricultural designs.” toward its goal. Over 110 ASM and FABE students par- Their main task ticipated in the Capstone experience in throughout their 2018-2019. The highlight is seeing the stu- project was deter- dents present their final designs at the end- mining what aspects of-year showcase. However, along the way, of the compost to it’s also amazing to see how the students evaluate and how the overcome challenges and progress through- compost could be out the year. Each year, we continue to be beneficial to agricul- impressed with the ideas that our students tural and horticul- come up with. tural production. They also developed Jane Fife, Lecturer, [email protected], Dewey Mann, Lecturer, [email protected], and Eric a pilot composting Klever, Student and Assistant Manager of Farm operation that pro- Operations, Department of Food, Agricultural, and Biological Engineering, The Ohio State Suzanne Yam, Irene Onianwa, Nick Nash, Abbie Gohrband, and vided proof-of-con- University, Columbus, [email protected]. Hannah Maringo (left to right) present their project. cept for the

RESOURCE September/October 2019 5 Auburn University Lifelong Learning for Engineering Graduates Mark Dougherty, P.E., Jeremiah Davis, P.E., Jonathan Davis, P.E., and Oladiran Fasina, P.E.

uburn University’s Biosystems written updates, submit design journals, ing, and this project reflected my career Engineering program currently and assess themselves and their team goals. As a biosystems engineer in enrolls 179 undergraduate stu- members through confidential peer evalu- progress, this project also reflected the dents and 33 graduate students. ations. In addition to a poster presentation basic idea of sustainability. After working OurA undergraduate students can select one at the annual ASABE Alabama Section on this project, I’ve become more inter- of four pathways: biosystems, ecological, meeting, the students submit a final writ- ested in waste reduction and reuse. bioprocess, or forest engineering. Class ten report, an end-of-semester presenta- However, the knowledge that I currently size for our senior Capstone design tion, and a final drawing packet similar to have about the topic is not enough. I need sequence has increased significantly in the a construction plan set. to research more and learn more to further last few years (from 15 students in 2011 to Nathan Ibanez and ASABE member myself as a professional.” an expected 37 students in spring 2020). Caityln Collazo were the other two mem- Caitlyn’s comments exemplify the Because of this increase, we now assign bers of Josh’s team. Their comments regard- positive outlook and forward-thinking of multiple design teams to the same project ing their pre-professional training reflect an many of our current graduates. “I’m capti- to encourage peer learning and self-evalu- awareness and appreciation of lifelong vated by the simple reality that basic life ation. Capstone team members select learning. can be sustained with plant products and client-sponsored projects during the clean water,” she said. “I’m particu- fall semester as part of a two-credit- larly interested in finding ways to hour professional development class. provide the life-changing impacts In this article, we highlight one associated with enabling deprived Capstone design project from spring people to sustain themselves. 2019: the design of a food compost- Biosystems engineering provides a ing facility for Auburn University. pathway for me to help underprivi- The project included biological leged communities across the globe. processing (compost recipe develop- Biosystems engineering can impact ment) as well as traditional biosys- struggling communities by develop- tems engineering (soil and water, ing approaches for reliable suste- environmental, structures, and site nance, and ultimately impact a design). Like all Capstone projects, community’s ongoing supply of the student teams were required to plant-based food and clean water. interact with the clients. Numerous communities throughout Reflections from team member the world can benefit from biosys- Josh Starling indicate the value of Members of the Capstone design team featured in this tems engineering efforts. There are client interaction in the Capstone article (left to right): Nathan Ibanez, ASABE member humanitarian organizations that have experience. “This project taught me Caitlyn Collazo, and Josh Starling. an interest in making such an impact, to manage time efficiently,” Josh but they don’t have the engineering said. “Because of that, we were able to turn “I’ve learned so many things since I skills to enable meaningful action to in quality work ahead of the due date. That became a biosystems engineering student.” advance their interest. My ambition is to insight can be translated to the workplace, Nathan said. “During my senior year, I fill this gap with my engineering skills.” because I will be working at a consulting learned less about theory and more about Visit the team’s website for the food firm that’s driven by project and client real-world problems. Two classes helped composting facility at Auburn University: deadlines. This knowledge will change my me develop from a student to a young pro- https://compostingsysteminnovations.wee- approach as I go forward in my career. If fessional: Professional Practice in bly.com. I’m able to apply this knowledge in the Biosystems Engineering (BSEN 4300), ASABE member Mark Dougherty, P.E., workplace, I should be able to offer my and Engineering Design for Biosystems Associate Professor, [email protected], employer a superior product, which will (BSEN 4310). Last semester, in BSEN ASABE member Jeremiah Davis, P.E., Associate Professor, [email protected], result in faster promotions, job satisfaction, 4300, we were allowed to choose our sen- ASABE member Jonathan Davis, P.E., and repeat client business.” ior design project. Of the four options, I Lecturer and Advisor, [email protected], During the three-credit-hour Capstone chose food composting. Ever since my and ASABE Fellow Oladiran Fasina, P.E., Professor and Head, Department of design class in the spring semester, the stu- sophomore year, I’ve been interested in Biosystems Engineering, Auburn University, dents complete work logs, prepare oral and food processing and food safety engineer- Auburn, Alabama, [email protected].

6 September/October 2019 RESOURCE Michigan State University Holistic Management for the Red Cedar River’s Concrete Weir Matt Champion, Cody Howard, Brittany MacIntyre, Sam Rolling, Dana Kirk, P.E., Luke Reese, and Steven Safferman, P.E.

ne of Michigan State Weir removal will open University’s (MSU) biosystems the river channel for fish and agricultural engineering movement and small 2018-2019 Capstone design watercraft, such as Oteams prepared a preliminary engineering kayaks and canoes, report on alternatives for managing the Red within the regional sur- Cedar River’s concrete weir, which is face water system. The located on the MSU campus. The report result is the opportunity included assessments of the weir’s impacts to designate the Red on flooding, sediment, habitat, water qual- Cedar River as a ity, recreation, safety, and aesthetics. The Michigan Department of objectives were to collect relevant data, Natural Resources develop a hydrological model, evaluate (MDNR) water trail, design alternatives, prepare an implementa- which in turn will tion plan for the selected design, estimate increase economic devel- project costs, and provide guidance on per- opment and potential The Red Cedar River weir on the MSU Campus in 2018. Photo mits and funding options. project funding. by Brittany MacIntyre. In spring 2018, the MSU campus expe- In addition to rienced a ten-year flood event, which cost improving the diversity of fish species and ronmental stewardship, while reducing the university tens of thousands of dollars providing opportunities for recreation, flood and human health risks. The project for sandbags and other flood control meas- removal of the weir will also improve the team recommends that MSU pursue com- ures. Flood frequencies are only expected to river ecosystem and habitat quality. In partic- plete removal of the weir and replace it with increase in the future, which will increase ular, rock arch rapids (RAR) can further an RAR installation. The proposed design the costs for control measures. HEC-RAS improve the health of the river. RAR create lowers the flood potential, allows increased modeling indicated that full weir removal diverse flow patterns, which lead to diverse fish movement, permits safe passage of could have lowered the potential head of the habitats for various species and increased small watercraft, improves the river’s biodi- 2018 flood by at least a foot, which would recreational access. Installing this feature versity, and generates a more pleasant out- have reduced the costs associated with will result in an aesthetically pleasing site at door space for the MSU community. flood mitigation. the center of MSU’s campus. This can create Matt Champion, Cody Howard, Brittany The estimated cost of the weir removal a new, socially prominent gathering place for MacIntyre, and Sam Rolling, Capstone design project is approximately $500,000, which the university community, families, and team members, ASABE member Dana Kirk, P.E., Assistant Professor, [email protected], could be largely offset by grants, corporate alumni. ASABE member Luke Reese, Associate sponsors, and reduced costs for future flood Removing the weir is an investment in Professor, [email protected], and ASABE mem- control measures, such as sandbags and improving the health of the Red Cedar ber Steven Safferman, P.E., Associate Professor, Department of Biosystems and barriers. A list of applicable grants was River. The project will provide an opportu- Agricultural Engineering, Michigan State University, compiled and was included in the report. nity for community involvement and envi- East Lansing, [email protected].

Rendering of the weir, including structural classification and sediment buildup (not to scale).

RESOURCE September/October 2019 7 University of Nebraska

Capstone Students Serve Community Partners Deepak Keshwani

he biological systems engineering department at the University of Nebraska features a year-long Capstone design experience that challenges agri- cultural and biological systems students to developT engineering solutions to meet the needs of a range of stakeholders both on and off the campus. Students start the first semester of the year-long experi- ence with an intense two-week rapid design challenge in which they work in teams to design, build, and test a device to deliver a fluid through a syringe at a constant flow rate without electricity or manual intervention. This experience serves as a launching pad for in-class discus- sions on team dynamics and the design process. During the 2018-2019 academic year, fourteen sen- ior design teams worked to develop engineering solutions to address the needs of a wide variety of clients that included agricultural machinery manufacturers, doctors, elementary schools, and campus researchers.

Kelsey Bohling (left) and Dalton Dozier (right) deliver their prototype biofilm application system to their client, Dr. Sam Wortman.

One team was challenged to design a new processing facility layout for the University of Nebraska’s iconic dairy plant during its relocation to the uni- versity’s Innovation Campus. The team also completed an engineering eco- nomic analysis for a new line of fortified milk products for Husker Athletics. Another team worked with the J.P. Lord School, a facility of Omaha Public Schools that serves young students with disabilities. The team was asked to design a basketball launcher to enhance the school’s physical education pro- gram. Many of the students at J.P. Lord have very limited mobility, preventing them from physically handling and shooting basketballs. Other design projects developed engineering solutions to address needs of researchers on campus. A team was tasked by an agronomist to design a custom biofilm application system for weed prevention in vegetable crop pro- duction. The team successfully designed and delivered a functional prototype Tony Meusch install the prototype streambank erosion sensor for evaluation. to their client, Dr. Sam Wortman, who is now using the device in field trials.

8 September/October 2019 RESOURCE Another team was tasked to design a system to monitor streambank erosion remotely and with enhanced accu- racy. Nebraska students address real-world challenges for their clients. They build community ties in a way that is mutually beneficial to our stakeholders and to the Capstone program. Capstone projects also cultivate job skills in our students, such as leadership, teamwork, and communication, that employers are actively seek- ing in new hires. Our Capstone program has real impacts on the university and state, as reflected in how the projects are used by stakeholders following com- pletion. And it’s just plain fun for the students to see their projects in action! ASABE member Deepak Keshwani, Associate Professor, Department of Biological Systems Engineering, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, [email protected]. Jozzy Carter and Wesley Young explain their rapid design prototype to a judge.

RESOURCE September/October 2019 9 University of florida Resource Production during Disaster Recovery Eric McLamore and Richard Scholtz

emonstrating the ability to design, build, and test technol- ogy is the Capstone of an under- graduate engineering student’s Dexperience in the agricultural and biologi- cal engineering (ABE) department the University of Florida. The Capstone sequence is made up of two courses: ABE 4042C (Biological Engineering Design 1) and ABE 4043C (Biological Engineering Design 2). During the first course, students are led through four design projects of Low-Energy Water Filtration increasing complexity. The four projects When disaster strikes, the local energy are designed to be completed in one, two, infrastructure can be offline for a long time. four, and eight weeks, respectively, with Without power, people are left with mini- each project building on what was learned mal access to safe water. To help supply clean drinking water to disaster areas, one in the previous projects. Capstone student Vy Nguyen with an early During the second course in the prototype of BetterBox, a multi-sensor of our student teams created a portable fil- Capstone sequence, students have the smart vertical gardening system. tration system that requires minimal energy opportunity to engage in a variety of proj- and can remove the contaminants that are commonly found in municipal water sys- ects, with a faculty member or profes- stress of people who have been affected by sional engineer serving as the project tems immediately following a disaster. a natural disaster by providing horticul- Their design aims to provide a low- mentor. The students demonstrate their tural therapy through a multi-sensor smart learning through a series of design/ energy, easily deployable filtration system vertical gardening system. that de-contaminates the water available build/test homework exercises, in-class The BetterBox system will grow writing activities, written reports, and two from existing utilities. Each filtration unit healthy plants by maintaining the correct can be coupled to a contaminated munici- oral presentations in front of professional soil moisture in self-contained planter engineers and business executives. In addi- pal water supply to provide safe drinking boxes. This will be accomplished through water until the permanent infrastructure tion to their design work, the students the development and application of a smart attend guest lectures given by a diverse becomes operable again. irrigation system using moisture sensors Following the initial media attention group of experts from UF and outside the that will be integrated into the BetterBox. university. and relief efforts immediately after a disas- Through an internet-of-things plat- ter, the reserve of consumable supplies can This year, after seeing the devastation form, the sensors will communicate with that Hurricane Michael caused to the become depleted. Areas without safe the user as well as the irrigation system in drinking water might not have enough Florida Panhandle in late 2018, the stu- order to water the plants and maintain dents in the Capstone sequence developed emergency supplies to last until the perma- water quality on an as-needed basis. nent infrastructure is restored. These mod- projects that focused on resource produc- BetterBox is designed to be easily trans- tion during medium-term and long-term ular filtration units can fill the gap portable and focuses on providing aro- between emergency relief and a reliable, disaster recovery. Two of their projects are matic herbs and flowers for improving the described here. long-term water supply. The units are mental well-being of disaster victims with- designed to be simple structures that local out requiring any manual labor. governments can commission and distrib- Horticultural Therapy BetterBox’s mission is to expand cur- With the aim of contributing toward ute in times of crisis or receive as part of rent disaster relief practices by incorporat- external relief efforts. new standards for disaster recovery by ing psychological relief along with the Eric McLamore, Associate Professor, introducing concepts grounded in mental standard procedures of the Federal health, one of our Capstone teams devel- [email protected], and ASABE member Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Richard Scholtz, Senior Lecturer, Department oped a project called BetterBox. The goal of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, of BetterBox is to help alleviate the mental University of Florida, Gainesville, [email protected].

10 September/October 2019 RESOURCE Texas A&M University Bringing the Workplace to the Classroom Stormy Kretzschmar

work with designated sponsors to projects are selected based on their rele- develop practical solutions to the vance to community needs and their ability challenges posed. Looking back to offer students an opportunity for creative, on her Capstone experience, BAE effective, sustainable problem-solving. senior Cristina Prada commented, Projects are also submitted by international “I was lucky to have a fantastic organizations that have developed relation- group that always worked well ships with BAE faculty or extension agents. together. It made every roadblock As BAE senior Leah Kocian commented, easier to handle. Capstone also “My favorite part of my Capstone experi- provided a very real experience of ence was the opportunity to communicate learning to develop projects for ideas to people in another country and in clients, and I believe it will help another language. I learned how to translate me handle future projects in my technical terms, which will be valuable in ASABE Fellow and Past President Steve Searcy, industry.” our global economy.” P.E., professor and head of the BAE department at The benefit of the Capstone This year, the top prizes went to the fol- Texas A&M, discusses a project with student Kalin Clark. program is that students learn lowing projects: valuable skills related to teamwork • Water crop energy analysis (gold prize he annual Capstone event for Texas while gaining exposure to future career pos- in ASM). A&M’s department of biological sibilities as they engage in projects that rep- • Plastic removal from cotton module and agricultural engineering resent what they could face in the working feeder (gold prize in BAE). (BAE) begins with a flurry of world. BAE senior Roy Ward commented • Removing plastic from cotton dispers- Tactivity. Students arrive dressed to impress that his definition of success did not depend ing cylinders (silver prize in ASM). in suits and dresses. They load their proto- on his team creating the best project. • Water conveyance and distribution sys- types onto display tables. One team hur- Instead, he said, “Success depended on how tem (silver prize in BAE). riedly seeks out an extension cord for a well my classmates and I worked on our In addition, this year, the department laptop demonstration, while another team project. It was about teamwork, and that will sent a team to the 2019 ASABE Annual scrambles to locate a missing table. One be a skill that I will use as I continue to International Meeting in Boston to present prototype, showcasing a method for remov- develop in my professional career.” its work on “Utilizing black soldier fly lar- ing waste plastic from cotton, is so large Possible Capstone projects are sug- vae to convert organic waste into a protein that the doors to the hall must be removed gested to the BAE department by alumni supplement for livestock feed.” to wheel the giant to its location. At and industry connections. These suggested Ultimately, the goal for the Capstone 2:00 p.m., calm descends. The students projects are then reviewed, and workable program is to connect students with poten- smile, stand up straight, tial employers. “The design, planning, and and the judging begins. management experience made me very mar- The full story of ketable to future employers, and it gave me Capstone begins months insight into the day-to-day challenges that earlier. Each year, seniors engineers face,” said BAE senior Griselda in BAE and in agricultural Quintero. While a graduating senior might systems management not immediately connect with an industry (ASM) are required to take leader through the Capstone program, the a two-semester, senior- skills that Capstone students develop will level Capstone design help them to engage with prospective course that engages these employers via the vast Aggie network and future graduates with the close-knit community of BAE. industry representatives Stormy Kretzschmar, Program Coordinator, and real-life scenarios. Department of Biological and Agricultural BAE faculty divide the stu- Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, [email protected]. dents into teams of three to Students (left to right) Martin Jeffers, Haley Forbes, and five students each who Kendra Bailey celebrate a successful presentation.

RESOURCE September/October 2019 11 University of Manitoba A Successful Student-Driven Capstone Experience Danny Mann, P.Eng.

ike most engineering programs instrumented with various actuators and across North America, the biosys- controllers that enabled the vehicle to drive tems engineering program at the autonomously as part of the “proof of con- University of Manitoba requires cept” testing. A plot sprayer made avail- theL completion of a Capstone design proj- able to the team by a department ect. Our version of the Capstone experience researcher was modified so that the noz- includes two distinct courses that students zles on the boom could be activated indi- take from September through April (i.e., vidually. An image processing system was one course is completed in the fall and the developed that recognized pictures of other in the winter). Students are assigned weeds and subsequently activated the to design teams early in September and Members of the University of Manitoba’s appropriate sprayer nozzles. Students and continue with the same design team through AgBOT Challenge team pose with their staff alike were impressed with the output entry (left to right): Franklin Ogidi, Marcel the winter semester. The teams are expected Lehmann, CSBE/ASABE member Eric of this design team. to generate a design proposal by the end of Hawley, CSBE/ASABE member George However, the story does not end with the fall semester and present their design in Dyck, and CSBE/ASABE member Jason completion of the Capstone course. Three a public setting. Morrison. of the four Capstone team members were During the winter semester, the teams also members of the University of a team from the University of Manitoba, are required to undertake some form of Manitoba’s agBOT team. Building on their and he developed a plan by which a por- activity to evaluate “proof of concept” for design work in the Capstone course, the tion of the design work required for the their proposed design. In some cases, this agBOT team traveled to Purdue University development of an autonomous machine involves fabrication of a low-fidelity proto- to participate in the fourth annual agBOT could be delegated to Capstone students. type. Other teams choose computer model- Challenge. The University of Manitoba There were some initial challenges ing or some form of experimental work to team, including CSBE/ASABE member involved in setting a suitable scope for the verify some aspect of their design. The Eric Hawley, CSBE/ASABE member Capstone design team within the larger final report submitted at the end of the win- George Dyck, Franklin Ogidi, CSBE/ scope of work necessary to complete the ter semester must describe the “proof of ASABE member Jason Morrison (faculty autonomous machine for the agBOT concept” testing that has been completed as advisor), and Marcel Lehmann (biosystems Challenge. The goal was to develop an evidence that the design is feasible. engineering technician), returned home autonomous machine that is capable of Typically, the engineering faculty with a third-place finish. The judges were discriminating between healthy plants, dis- solicits potential design projects from impressed that the University of Manitoba eased plants, and weeds, and applying a local industries in Manitoba. An effort is was the only team that attempted specified treatment to each plant. made to identify projects that (1) are of autonomous navigation without the use of Specifically, this would enable the team to suitable scope so that some form of “proof GPS. Instead, the navigation system con- compete in the “Weed and Feed” competi- of concept” testing can be completed by sisted of a compass, a camera, and numer- tion of the 2019 agBOT Challenge. the students and (2) represent the three ous complex algorithms. For the Capstone course, the scope specialization areas in our undergraduate Speaking from my vantage point as was limited to the design of an interface program (i.e., biomedical, bioresources, department head, this Capstone design between the control system and the sen- and environmental). Occasionally, depart- team went above and beyond the typical sors, actuators, and other peripherals, and ment faculty will suggest a design project academic expectations that we have for our the development of basic algorithms to that supports their research program or Capstone course. I believe this was due to control and read from the sensors. their undergraduate teaching. the fact that the students were working on Navigation, object detection, intelligent However, during the 2018-2019 aca- a project that they were committed to and spraying algorithms, and a graphical user demic year, a decision was made to allow passionate about. The projects solicited interface were considered beyond the a student-directed Capstone project. One from industry seldom generate the same scope of a Capstone project. of our seniors became aware of the agBOT level of commitment or passion! The Capstone team exceeded their Challenge (https://ag.purdue.edu/agBOT/) design goals within the timeframe of the ASABE member Danny Mann, P.Eng., to create autonomous robots capable of Professor and Head, Department of Capstone course. A Can Am quad, which performing agricultural tasks. He was Biosystems Engineering, University of was donated to the University of Manitoba Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada, enthusiastic about the prospect of entering for the agBOT Challenge, was rewired and [email protected].

12 September/October 2019 RESOURCE University of Kentucky Designing Solutions and Building Confidence Alicia Modenbach, P.E.

wo courses at the University of • A malting system for home-brewers ence: “I remember getting assigned this Kentucky, Biosystems Engineering that’s capable of steeping, germinating, project,” he said, “and once I saw what we Design I and II (collectively and drying malted barley. needed to do, I thought we were doomed. referred to as Senior Design), are • A simple apparatus and protocol for The learning curve required to understand Tthe culminating design experience that measuring the inertia tensor on the the problem was huge and daunting, but we biosystems engineering students complete phalanges of a horse to better evaluate worked as a team, asked questions, did our during their senior year. The overall goal of equine gait. research, and worked at it bit by bit.” Senior Design is to give students an oppor- • A “smart” targeted misting system to Another benefit of the Senior Design tunity to solve real, open-ended design cool dairy cattle. course is that the experience makes a last- problems using previously learned engi- • A device to measure shoulder strength ing impression on the students. They have neering principles. Over the last five years, during recovery from injury. the opportunity to carry their design to the size of the Senior Design courses has • A water management plan developed fruition, and many of the teams have their ranged from 15 to 45 students. Even as the for implementation during construc- product implemented into practice. The class size has grown, we continue to tion of an equestrian research farm. variety of the projects also leads to designs emphasize the importance of team-based • An efficient method for moving water with local to potentially global impact, rais- efforts and provide students with projects through an in-pond raceway used in ing awareness of issues that the students that are related to their area of specializa- tilapia farming. may not have previously encountered. “Our tion. That often means reaching out to col- • A high-capacity, multi-well recording project had the benefit of having a life after laborators elsewhere in the university and to chamber for use in brain tissue class, in a research laboratory,” said partners in industry, and getting creative research. Baumann, “I’m really excited to see where with project proposals. We have also taken The Senior Design projects, while the testing with our device goes.” the approach of team-teaching the course, technically challenging, are meant to instill In the case of the equine gait project, so the students benefit by receiving feed- confidence in our students by providing the students developed a tool and procedure back from multiple perspectives and them with a low-stakes environment in to support research in an industry that has a sources of expertise. which to practice the engineering design large economic impact in the state of Project selection occurs in the first few process. Nick Baumann, who helped Kentucky. In contrast, the team that devel- weeks of the fall semester. Students are pre- develop the apparatus for evaluating equine oped the low-cost grain dryer has potential sented with project ideas from biosystems gait, reflected on his Senior Design experi- to improve the economies and agricultural engineering faculty and industry partners, practices of developing along with information about the project countries. needs, the key design objective, the intended Having a meaningful customer, a technical contact, a list of core purpose goes a long way in classes required for the technical content, any motivating students to pro- relevant resources available, and the final duce amazing, innovative deliverables. Using this information, the stu- designs. Later, as they dents rank their level of interest in specific launch their careers, that projects, and they identify the strengths they sense of purpose helps can bring to the team that’s assigned to the them understand the criti- problem. Teams of three to four students are cal impact that thoughtful, then assembled accordingly. skillful engineering can Every year, the projects run the gamut have on society. in topics and scope. For example, the 2018- ASABE member Alicia 2019 Senior Design projects included: Modenbach, P.E., • A low-cost grain dryer designed for Lecturer, Department of Biosystems and Agricultural use in developing countries. Engineering, University of • A rugged, low-maintenance device for Kentucky, Lexington, use in manure lagoons and municipal Senior Tyler Nichols checks that RFID ear tags trigger his [email protected]. water systems that automatically team’s targeted misting system for dairy cattle. Photo by records and transmits pond depth data. Eric Sanders.

RESOURCE September/October 2019 13 University of Arkansas Brewing Up a Sustainable Future Nick DeMoss, Tom Costello, P.E., and Scott Osborn, P.E.

ore Brewing Company, an an ineffective heat Arkansas-based craft beer pro- exchanger that caused a ducer, had an opportunity: the significant waste of brewhouse was using nearly two potable water during the millionC gallons of water annually, and the “knockout” process, in company wanted to conserve this precious which the wort is natural resource. It wasn’t just water going quickly cooled before down the drain: wasted water meant fermentation. As Kaylyn wasted money. noted, “After we con- Four seniors were up to the challenge: ducted a water audit, the ASABE members Kaylyn Zuech, head brewer was really Natalie Von Tress, Lydia Huck, and surprised at how much Zach Wofford. These students took on the potable water they were problem as part of their Capstone design University of Arkansas senior and ASABE member Lydia discharging.” experience in biological engineering. At Huck (also on the cover) and her mentor, ASABE member The team analyzed the University of Arkansas, Capstone is a Scott Osborn, at Core Brewing Company in Springdale, alternatives and ulti- two-semester program in which student Arkansas. mately identified changes teams are paired with a client with a real to the brewery’s operation engineering problem. The first semester is second semester is devoted to detailed that would cost about $11,000 up front but used to research the client and the prob- design. would save about $5,000 in annual operating lem, including relevant technologies and The team members measured the total costs, while saving 1.3 million gallons of analyses to support the design process. The water use at Core Brewing and identified water each year. “We worked hard to ana- lyze the heat exchanger to see how to opti- mize its performance to save water and reduce costs without affecting the quality of the beer,” Lydia said. The brewing industry’s average ratio of total water consumed to beer produced is six liters of water for every liter of beer, or 6.0 L/L. The team’s recommendations would lower Core Brewing’s ratio to 3.4 L/L, positioning the company as a leader in sustainability in the brewing industry. Completing a Capstone project is crit- ical for students before they enter the workforce because it teaches them to solve problems creatively and systematically, it forces them to work through uncertainty and complexity, and it lets them flex the technical skills they learned as undergrad- uates. For Lydia, who graduated in May, the experience pushed her out of her com- fort zone. “What made it such a rewarding project was that all the unknowns were on a bigger scale than any technical project we’d ever done,” she said. “There was one obstacle after another. We had a good foundation, but we weren’t used to com-

14 September/October 2019 RESOURCE menting their rec- Previous teams have worked with com- ommendations.” munities in developing countries to improve These stu- access to clean water, locally produced dents made a food, and renewable energy. Our students major impact for a have worked with individuals, non-profits, local business, and small communities, government agencies, other Capstone private companies, and consulting firms. projects have made The scope and impact of our students’ impacts elsewhere projects hasn’t gone unnoticed. University in the world, all of Arkansas teams have been among the top with the goals of three in ASABE design competitions nine reducing waste, times in the last ten years. Their projects reducing carbon have reflected our program’s focus on sus- footprints, and tainable water, food, and energy systems. The senior design team presents a poster for their project at Core providing a better Our Capstone students develop a can- Brewing Company (left to right): ASABE members Kaylyn Zuech, way to use our do attitude. They are ready to learn new Natalie Von Tress, Lydia Huck, and Zach Wofford. resources. Our stu- things and tackle new problems. Nothing is dents’ Capstone more rewarding than watching these young plexity on that scale. But we did it! We projects have people take on the big challenges that our designed a system that could save the client included harvesting rooftop rainwater to world faces. millions of gallons of water.” irrigate plants at a retail garden center, Nick DeMoss, Director of Communications, Jesse Core, the founder of Core developing an automated sprinkler system College of Engineering, [email protected], Brewing, appreciated the team’s work. “The to disrupt mosquito reproduction in ASABE member Tom Costello, P.E., Associate Professor, [email protected], and ASABE team did a fantastic and detailed job to help stormwater detention ponds, and develop- member Scott Osborn, P.E., Associate us become more sustainable, save money, ing low-impact hydrologic features for Professor, Department of Biological and and improve operations,” he said. “I’m tak- urban runoff control. Agricultural Engineering, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, [email protected]. ing their report to my board to discuss imple-

University of minnesota Improving the Beef Jerky Process—A Tasty Project Sonia Maassel Jacobsen, P.E., and Jonathan Chaplin, P.E.

mprove an already tasty snack for a The project’s objective was to mini- senior Capstone project? mize variation in the quality of beef jerky. “Absolutely!” was the response from Large batch ovens are one source of varia- Rebecca Senden, Kaela Marcus, tion due to air movement. The orientation ISamantha Welch, and Eric Wuolo-Journey, of the product also affects the outcome. seniors in the University of Minnesota’s Jerky, sold by weight, is expensive to department of bioproducts and biosystems make, considering that the removal of engineering (BBE). Their project culmi- water from the meat reduces the weight by nated four years of engineering education 40% to 60%. Lean beef is more expensive with the design of a process to produce a than fattier cuts. The final cost is also tender and tasty product for project spon- affected by added ingredients, such as sor Bob Hanson of HansonTech LLC, who spices, and the product packaging. worked closely with the team and their The team spoke enthusiastically about BBE faculty advisors, ASABE Fellow their experience. Eric and Rebecca agreed Roger Ruan and Min Addy. that they like being able to learn the design process and actually work hands-on to The oven racks are stocked with beef jerky. develop and test new ideas, rather than

RESOURCE September/October 2019 15 University of Minnesota

two alternatives were exam- The BBE senior Capstone course ined that varied the wet/dry involves a team of faculty members, with bulb temperatures while the goal that each student team has a fac- maintaining a constant rela- ulty advisor and an industry advisor. tive humidity. “What we “We’re grateful to have an active industry learned in our classes on advisory council—including alumni, food process engineering, employers of our graduates, and other heat and mass transfer, sepa- interested companies and agencies—that rations, and thermodynam- proposes projects and provides advisors ics was especially helpful for and mentors for our students,” said the project,” said Kaela and ASABE member Gary Sands, BBE pro- Samantha. fessor and department head. Enrollment in “This kind of industry the senior Capstone course has grown project, proposed and co- from five teams in 2014 to a high of eleven advised by an industry men- in 2018 and eight teams in 2019. The stu- tor, exposed the students to dents are enrolled in one of three tracks in Adding meat to oven racks for testing a process idea. real-life issues and practical the department: bioproducts engineering, problem-solving approaches. ecological and environmental engineering, This helps prepare our stu- and food engineering. Previous projects dents for working in the real have included work with major food com- world,” said Roger Ruan. panies on repurposing wastes for further Min Addy added, “Being use, humanitarian efforts in developing able to apply what was countries, composting and fuel options for learned in the classroom to a cabbage waste from egg roll manufactur- real-life project and test the ing, and developing a dryer for small parts hypothesis is an important for a window manufacturer. part of learning. I’m very ASABE Fellow and Past President Sonia happy the students had this Maassel Jacobsen, P.E., Adjunct Faculty, opportunity to sharpen their [email protected], and ASABE member Jonathan Chaplin, P.E., Professor, skills.” Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Industry mentor Bob Engineering, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Hanson was enthusiastic [email protected]. Kaela and Samantha handle jerky samples during testing. about the results. “A lot of meat industry working only on paper. They are happy to practices are just have figured out a change in the current large-scale adaptions of processes process that improves the product quality. from the corner meat market,” he Food safety was a key constraint. The said, “And drying beef jerky is one ovens in the University of Minnesota’s Meat of those, what I call ‘seat of the Science building were used to test four pants’ processes. I thought that a design alternatives. Controlling the wet and Capstone project might be a dry bulb temperatures, and therefore the chance to have a real-life food relative humidity in the oven and the prod- engineering look at this process, uct temperature, were key to the improved and the students exceeded my process. The meat must go through a kill expectations. They quickly picked step in which bacteria are destroyed. The up on how to measure and analyze water activity in the meat must be con- the stages of the drying process, trolled to ensure a reasonable shelf life. and then they devised a clever new Industry standards and regulations dictated process that cut the drying time some of these processing steps. and reduced the product variation. The alternatives examined included an Their new process will have a real initial step in a microwave oven, followed impact on this segment of the University of Minnesota seniors (clockwise from by curing in a conventional oven with the industry. Pretty cool for a student upper left) Rebecca Senden, Eric Wuolo-Journey, Capstone project!” Kaela Marcus, and Samantha Welch strike a pose meat on racks. Using the existing ovens, while working with jerky samples.

16 September/October 2019 RESOURCE University of Illinois Seniors Design an Urban Garden for School Children Prasanta Kalita, Nora Onstad, and Alan Hansen

nnovation and imagination. Critical thinking and cre- ativity. These skills and more all come together for Istudents in ABE 469, the Capstone design course in the agricultural and biological engi- neering department at the University of Illinois. This year, seven teams worked with clients The garden, constructed with from industry, academia, and dimensions constrained by the government to develop engi- layout of the playground, features neering solutions for real-world an outer U-shaped raised bed and problems. an inner rectangular raised bed. The teams apply the princi- Capstone students (left to right) Tarik Hunt, Do Yeon Kim, and Each bed is set at a height of ples of design and engineering Blake Mrozek work on the raised beds. (right) The completed gar- den awaiting the students in the playground of the University 24 inches, and the design allows analysis that they learned in the Primary School. easy accessibility for children and classroom. They practice profes- adults. sionalism and creative problem- pus University Primary School (UPS). They Edible plants chosen for the garden solving while identifying obstacles, coordinated the project with UPS director include snub-nosed carrots, cherry toma- evaluating alternative designs, and deliver- Dr. Ali Lewis, who had previously worked toes, bell peppers, and strawberries. Other ing a final product. Each year, the chosen with ABE 469 students in 2016. plants, such as basil, rosemary, and lemon- projects demonstrate how diverse a career in Team members Tarik Hunt, Do Yeon grass, were chosen for their aroma, and ag and bio engineering can be. For example: Kim, Blake Mrozek, Samual Narang, and lamb’s ear is a sensory plant that children • How do you keep beavers from plug- Srirang Subramanian designed a unique can touch and enjoy. ging wetland outlet structures? The Beaver raised-bed garden that will help pre-K As with any project, extraneous cir- Deceivers team worked with the USDA through 5th grade students learn about cumstances meant that changes had to be National Resource Conservation Service to plants and biological systems in interactive made. The team worked with faculty and design a device to do just that. Their draw- ways. “The school focuses on hands-on, parents at UPS to construct the beds, but ings will be shared on the NRCS website so experiential learning to teach the students bad weather significantly impeded their that new wetlands can incorporate the about the world,” said Tarik. “Having their progress in completing the garden. device into outlet structures. own garden will be a fun way to teach the Unexpected costs (such as transporting • Jet Pro worked with the University of kids how to grow their own snacks.” Do materials from the store to the school) Illinois’ Integrated Bioprocessing Research Yeon Kim added, “The challenge was to meant budget reallocations. Laboratory (IBRL) to design and build a skid design and build a garden that was aes- These five seniors worked very hard, to transport a jet cooker between research thetic, functional, and able to tolerate expo- often on cold and rainy days, to investigate bays and connect it to power. IBRL works sure to the weather, and the activities of the site, acquire materials, develop a project with a variety of industry partners, some of rambunctious kids.” report, and execute their design. This proj- which may be competitors, so the research The health and safety of the children ect provided the added dimension of com- setups are separated in different bays. were primary considerations during the munity service, and it showed the students’ • The Jig is Up worked with industry design process. “We didn’t want to expose dedication to the grand challenge of ag and partner Kelly Engineering to improve the the kids to hazardous compounds from bio engineering: helping all sectors of soci- design of one of Kelly’s existing jigs for chemically treated wood,” said Tarik, “so ety work for a hunger-free world. better safety and efficiency, and we purchased untreated wood and treated it Levelbedded created a process to evaluate ASABE Fellow Prasanta Kalita, Professor, with linseed oil. That’s a safe, natural insect [email protected], ASABE member Nora how level a seedbed is after using Kelly’s and water repellent that ensures the Onstad, Graduate Student, [email protected], seedbed preparation product. longevity of the structure against outdoor and ASABE Fellow Alan Hansen, Professor, Another Capstone team, University Department of Agricultural and Biological conditions. The wood was also sanded Engineering, University of Illinois, Urbana, Primary Sprouts, worked with the on-cam- down to reduce the risk of splinters.” [email protected].

RESOURCE September/October 2019 17 Oklahoma State University Capstone Teams Choose their Challenges Paul Weckler, P.E.

he biosystems and The final design for agricultural engi- the FTW consisted of a neering (BAE) PVC frame attached to department at two dock floats, rated for OklahomaT State University 207 lb each. On each side has a Capstone senior of the FTW, a 10 ft plastic design experience with a trough was filled with rich history. The Capstone Poly-Flo filter media to courses are titled Senior support plants that require Engineering Design root support. The middle Project I & II, and the stu- section of the FTW con- dents are expected to tained a plastic lattice with design and validate a rigor- netting cups to hold plants ous, real-world project. that prefer to be sub- The BAE Capstone project merged in water. A team in is a two-semester class BAE students Miranda Rose, Will Fulk, and Alex Gallegos (left to right) deploy our freshman BAE 1012 the floating treatment wetland (FTW) prototype at Lake McMurtry. sequence that starts in the class researched aquatic fall and continues through perennial plants that could the spring semester. Fall semester senior otoxins, which are toxic to both humans effectively absorb nutrients, including design teams are paired with teams in our and animals. phosphorus, ammonium-nitrogen, nitrate- freshman BAE 1012 Intro to Biosystems The client desired a sustainable and N, and micronutrient zinc, to help prevent Engineering class. low-maintenance solution without and stop potential algae blooms. Over the summer, as course instructor, encroaching on land reserved for wildlife One of the biggest issues the group I accumulate a long list of potential senior and recreation. “The U.S. Army Corps of ran into during this project was waiting design projects for the upcoming academic Engineers was curious about the idea of a until spring to begin purchasing plants, year. Early in the fall semester, the students floating treatment wetland, or FTW, and because of the germination period and indicate their preferred projects by ranking asked us if this was something we would growing process. Starting with seeds the list from highest to lowest. In the last 18 like to do,” Aleksi said. “At our initial would have taken too long. Instead, the years, more than 97% of the students got meeting, we agreed to design a FTW for team chose to begin with plugs, which are their first or second choice on projects. one of two coves at the Marion Reservoir.” plants that have partially formed root sys- One of the BAE senior design projects The cove that the group selected was close tems. This gave the plants a better chance completed in 2018-2019 was a water qual- to an access road and could easily be seen of surviving, and the plugs were easier to ity engineering project for the U.S. Army by the public. The location was also better place in the FTW. Corps of Engineers, Tulsa District. The for lake workers to do maintenance on the “Through this project, all aspects of team members included BAE students FTW and harvest the biofilm and root my engineering education became useful,” Aleksi Etter, William Fulk, Alex Gallegos, structure that contains the excessive nutri- Aleksi said. “The project was related to and Miranda Rose. This group designed a ents, which the roots absorb. my area of study, so I had great interest in floating wetland for the Marion Reservoir To test their design, the students built a it. I was able to apply my knowledge to a near Marion, Kansas. Their project full-size prototype for installation at Lake real-world project that was designed to addressed the excessive levels of nutrients McMurtry near Stillwater, Oklahoma. Jared help mitigate a worldwide problem. It was (nitrogen and phosphorus) that have Avilez, interim director at Lake McMurtry, a great feeling to create a product with caused harmful blue-green algae blooms helped select the location for installing two environmental benefits while adhering to in the Marion Reservoir. The team was FTW modules. The two modules were con- state regulations. And it was amazing to tasked with coming up with a new or nected directly to each other, with one end see a real product created out of my col- improved mitigation technique to limit the connected to a tether pole on the shore and lege education.” the other end attached to a concrete anchor growth of cyanobacteria, which is another ASABE member Paul Weckler, P.E., name for blue-green algae, or completely in the water. Because of record-setting rain- Professor, Department of Biosystems and stop cyanobacteria from growing in lake fall in late May and early June, the design Agricultural Engineering, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, [email protected]. environments. Cyanobacteria create cyan- successfully endured historic high water levels at Lake McMurtry.

18 September/October 2019 RESOURCE north carolina state university Building the Total Engineer Rebecca Nagy

C State’s motto is: “Think and Do.” Few things embody the spirit of this motto more than sen- ior design. “Senior design is a tra- Ndition that we take very seriously here,” said ASABE Fellow Mike Boyette, P.E., pro- fessor in the department of biological and agricultural engineering (BAE) at NC State. With nationally recognized teams, patents, and other successes in the pro- gram’s 50-year history, the emphasis on senior design is easy to understand. Projects semester, students are free to have resulted in benefits to industry, local choose their teams and their Team members Ben Cauthen, Alex Greeson, Will Marsh, government, and communities across the projects. Boyette and Chinn Ben Cranfill, and Matthew Parker (left to right above) pose state. But what might not be so evident are provide students with a list with the Pine Bine, a first-of-its-kind machine for cleaning of projects submitted by fac- pine straw, which won the 2018 AGCO Award. Alex the life skills, in addition to the technical Greeson (left) puts the Pine Bine through its paces. skills, that are emphasized in the course. ulty, industry, or even other students. Some students ASABE member Mari Chinn, pro- the project. Students receive yet another per- choose a topic within their area of concen- fessor in the BAE department, put it this spective from guest speakers who are tration. Others choose projects outside their way: “It’s not just a project. The students are brought in by Chinn and Boyette to provide area to gain broader experience. Project taught how to be engineers.” Guided by the insights on getting a job, keeping a job, and topics run the gamut from floating wetlands canons of professional engineering, the top- how to act professionally on the job. to brewery wastewater treatment to pine ics covered in the course include engineer- At the 2018 ASABE Annual straw bailing. ing ethics, innovation, disruptive International Meeting in Detroit, NC State’s While the course emphasizes the appli- technology, and case studies of engineering BAE senior design teams came back with cation of technical skills that the students disasters. “In many ways,” add Chinn, “It’s first-place awards in both the Gunlogson have learned in the BAE degree program, one of the first times in their career that stu- and AGCO student design competitions. emphasis is also placed on soft skills. dents are given a problem with an open- The Gunlogson Award went to a team that Boyette and Chinn aim to build “total engi- ended solution, or maybe no solution at all.” designed a floating wetland to capture trash neering” graduates who have solid techni- Boyette and Chinn co-teach the two- in a lake on a golf course in North Carolina. cal skills as well as the ability to express semester Capstone course, which is Their design had a built-in failsafe to themselves and work with their teammates. required for all seniors. Starting in the fall release in the event of flooding or severe “We teach engineering weather to prevent damage to the wetland. as a team sport,” said The first-place AGCO Award went to Boyette, “The team an NC State team that tapped into the bil- includes other engi- lion-dollar pine straw industry, designing neers as well as the peo- and building a first-of-its kind machine to ple who will build their clean pine straw. “We have to understand design and the people the system that we are designing and the who will use it.” systems that we are using as a solution,” A recent change to explained Chinn. “We’re in a unique space the program reinforces to understand the science in addition to the this idea. Each team is engineering aspects of biological systems.” assigned a member of To learn more about NC State’s senior BAE’s advisory board, design program, visit www.bae.ncsu.edu/ in addition to their fac- news/2019/senior-design-2019. ulty sponsor. These advisors provide another Rebecca Nagy, Communications Specialist, This floating wetland, designed by BAE seniors Nick Smirne, Department of Biological and Agricultural Emalie Magoon, Sam Fasking (shown here), and Craig Ballard, perspective, and they’re Engineering, North Carolina State University, won the 2018 Gunlogson Award. another set of eyes on Raleigh, [email protected].

RESOURCE September/October 2019 19 University of Saskatchewan Industry-Driven Capstone Design Scott Noble and Brian Berscheid

he University of Saskatchewan has Eric Gerwing. “They Saskatchewan-based farm a long history of teaching and knew the required prod- equipment manufacturer, research in agricultural and biolog- uct functions, objectives, said, “Participating in the ical engineering. While our ABE and constraints from the program does not take a programT saw its final graduating class in perspective of a practic- lot of time investment and 2015, agriculture still has a central role in ing medical provider in involves minimal risk, Saskatchewan, and engineering for agri- Mozambique. We would while providing free culture remains an important priority for not have guessed those resources to help solve a the university. requirements on our own. real problem with fresh Capstone design courses are one way It was also eye-opening to minds, different perspec- that our undergraduate students continue have a client who did not tives, and new ideas. In to engage in agriculture. In mechanical have an engineering back- addition, we provide proj- engineering and in electrical and computer ground. We frequently ects mainly to previous engineering, students solve design chal- needed to explain basic summer interns and future lenges presented by outside clients, typi- concepts and provide our Testing an electrical and com- full-time employees. That cally from local industry, municipalities, opinions on the best way puter engineering prototype of gives us an opportunity to and small business. Project ideas are forward.” an electric fence monitoring sys- get those individuals more solicited and submitted in the summer, Joel Glover and Luke tem. Photo by Luke Buettner. familiar with our designs, reviewed by course supervisors, and pre- Buettner, both seniors in processes, and expecta- sented to students, who select their pre- electrical and computer engineering, tions and helps us learn more about the ferred projects from this list. The projects worked on a monitoring system for electric skills, strengths, and weaknesses of all the run the gamut in terms of subject, but agri- fences. Regarding the value of the students on a team.” Jeremy ven der Buhs, cultural and biological applications are Capstone design experience, Joel said, “I a University of Saskatchewan graduate always among those selected. learned just how much background and engineer-in-training at Bourgault, In some cases, the clients are not engi- research needs to be done to even begin to added, “I submitted a project to give back neers. One team was tasked with develop- solve a problem. I grew up on a cattle farm to the university, and to gain some mentor- ing a low-cost intravenous pump. “We had that used electric fences all the time. I was ship experience.” three medical doctors as our clients, which very familiar with how farmers use electric With industry projects, intellectual was very beneficial,” said team member fences, and I immediately saw how a mon- property can be an issue. “Typically, we itoring system could help simply propose a project for which IP and farmers. However, as much confidentiality are not a significant con- as I had used electric fences, cern.” said Jesse. “However, to fully pro- I didn’t fully understand tect ourselves, we’ve also made advance how they worked.” Luke agreements with the students, specifying added, “Since we were that any design produced within the proj- designing a system that ect belongs to the company.” From the uni- could support a large range versity’s perspective, the concern is of fence voltages with vary- primarily that students are not hindered ing geometries and charac- from presenting their work in class or in a teristics, it was important to public setting. Clear communication about be thorough in all aspects, expectations, managing confidential infor- meaning that we had to do mation, and IP have been key, and they research on how farmers provide students with pre-graduation expe- typically implement electric rience in navigating these critical issues. fences and how the fences ASABE member Scott Noble, Associate are operated.” Professor, Department of Mechanical On why industries par- Engineering, [email protected], and Brian Public presentation of a low-cost intravenous pump design Berscheid, Assistant Professor, Department of ticipate, Jesse Drayton of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University by (left to right) Chelsea Thorson, Braden Christopherson, Bourgault Industries, a of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada, Eric McCann, and Eric Gerwing. Photo by Eric Gerwing. [email protected].

20 September/October 2019 RESOURCE Kansas State University Senior Design Projects Can Be Life-Changing Ed Brokesh, P.E.

hat do a quadriplegic, pond career interests, as eutrophication, and a fertilizer described in their ques- spreader have in common? tionnaires. The students Kansas State University’s sen- are notified of their Wior design program is the answer. Our stu- project assignments dents take on a diverse range of projects and their fellow team that match their diverse interests and skills. members just before At KSU, a three-credit senior design the fall semester. course is offered during the fall semester For fall 2018, the The evolution of the Good Grip: The each year. The course is required for the senior design teams final version (left) weighed 13.3 grams completion of a BS in biological systems worked on a wide less than the original (right) and pro- engineering. The students who enroll in this range of projects. vided many other benefits. course are in the middle or end of a three- Projects were under- semester series of courses and in their sen- taken to develop methods to sanitize irriga- client to ior year. The senior design course requires tion water, design and build a device to develop an students to create, at minimum, a design assist in giving injections to mosquito lar- assistive device to help him eat on his own. proposal that is ready for construction. This vae, design a test stand for a major equip- That project achieved its goal, but the correlates to an industrial setting in which a ment manufacturer, design a test stand for resulting device was uncomfortable and too project goes before a client for approval to fertilizer application, design an improved heavy for extended use. The 2018-2019 begin construction. A second design course method to feed blenderized diets through design team, called “Good Grip,” continued is offered the following semester in which gastrointestinal feeding tubes, design a plan the development work on the assistive eat- students have the opportunity to build, to reduce pond eutrophication for a home- ing device with the goal of improving its expand on, or test their proposed project. owners association, and help a quadriplegic comfort and reducing its weight. The team Possible projects for the senior design eat on his own. expanded on the previous year’s work course are identified and explored during a The team working with the quadriple- through further research, testing, and client prerequisite course offered in the preceding gic had one of the most rewarding design feedback. They discovered that a greater spring semester. In this prerequisite course, experiences that a team can have. range of adjustment was needed in the the students are given a rough project idea The project with the quadriplegic client device to accommodate the client’s avail- and asked to develop the idea into a pro- was in its second year. During the 2017- able range of motion. posal, including the scope of the work and a 2018 year, a team had worked with the The team studied different materials project timeline. At the end of the semes- and methods to construct a device with ter, all project ideas are shared with the reduced weight. The result was a device that entire class in an open forum, similar to a weighed 13.3 grams less than the previous staff meeting. After the open forum, the design, had an increased range of adjust- students fill out a questionnaire about their ment, was more comfortable to wear, and skills and career goals, and they identify ultimately allowed the client to eat yogurt the three projects that most interest them. from a cup. An added benefit of the new Using the students’ reported prefer- design was that it allowed the client to hold ences and questionnaires, the instructor for a spoon similarly to how others hold a the senior design course chooses the most spoon. The resulting device is very impact- viable projects that match the students’ ful for the client in that it opens up new interests and engineering skills. The criteria opportunities for greater independence in for a viable project are a real-world prob- his daily life. It was also impactful for the lem, for a real-world client, that can be team members. Creating a device that solved within one or two semesters. Once improved the well-being of another person the projects are selected, design teams of gave them a feeling of accomplishment that three or four students are assigned from The Good Grip design team (back left to right, will last for years. among the students who enroll in the senior Lauren Johnson and Brianna White) with their ASABE member Ed Brokesh, P.E., Assistant client Jesus Martinez (center). Not pictured, design course based on their skill sets and Professor, Kansas State University, Manhattan, team member Tristan McCallister. [email protected].

RESOURCE September/October 2019 21 Purdue University Providing Solutions to Intersecting Challenges John Lumkes, P.E.

f ever there was a course that needed and other factors. To reinforce this under- Fluid Power Vehicle Challenge, and an to be more than a course, Capstone standing, Capstone engages the commu- autonomous weeding system entry for the would be it. This year also coincides nity, the client, project sponsors, alumni, AgBot competition. with our ABET accreditation report and prospective employers. The agricultural and biological engi- andI visit, so Capstone takes on a special At Purdue, our Capstone students neering department at Purdue offers three role in demonstrating that our engineering choose from a list of 70 to 80 projects, degrees: agricultural engineering (AE), students are meeting the learning out- with about 25 projects running each year. agricultural systems management (ASM), comes that we are committed to providing. The project categories vary from year to and biological engineering (BE). Students Of course, assessment data are evaluated year. The four broad categories this year in the BE program follow their own and changes are made every year, but sum- included automation, environmental and Capstone sequence, while the AE and marizing the processes and results natural resources, power and machinery, ASM students share an integrated, but becomes more intense in an accreditation and vehicle competitions. Projects in the unique, Capstone sequence. The two year. All this to say, Capstone plays an automation category included the use of majors are integrated when possible on important role in demonstrating program drones, attaching implements to tractors, projects, reflecting post-graduation reality, proficiency. When our students graduate, robotic phenotyping, and an automated but AE and ASM students enroll in sepa- can they design solutions for real prob- cooling pad for livestock. Projects in the rate classes and are evaluated using lems, using appropriate engineering tools environmental category included the use slightly different course learning objec- and judgement, while acting profession- of UAVs and image processing for assess- tives. While problem-solving techniques, ally and ethically, always learning and ing environmental impacts, the design of teamwork, and soft skills are applicable to growing, and clearly communicating their commercial and residential watersheds, a both majors, there are some differences, ideas to a wide range of audiences? hydroponic growth chamber, and a garden for example, regarding what constitutes Beyond accreditation, Capstone ful- design for a school in Haiti. The power and “the use of appropriate design tools” and fills other needs. The most common pur- machinery projects included the design of “engineering judgement,” that are pose, and the focus of this issue, is that the skid steer attachments, transporting sys- reflected in the individual courses. Capstone experience should provide stu- tems for implements, a suspension system The AE/ASM sequence uses a two- dents with an opportunity to solve real- for a vegetable wagon, and a harvesting semester approach. During the fall semes- world problems by applying what they machine for cilantro. The vehicle competi- ter, students enroll in a one-credit class have learned in their undergraduate stud- tion projects included Purdue’s entry in that meets once a week, with additional ies. Students are taught that considering ASABE’s 1/4 Scale Tractor Competition, sessions each week for team meetings and only the technical aspects of a problem is an optimized agricultural utility vehicle continuing professional development insufficient. They must also consider the for use in Kenya (and a basic utility vehi- (CPD) activities (discussed later in this customer, culture, economics, standards, cle competition in Ohio), an entry for the article). Projects are assigned during the first week of class, and the students then develop a clear problem statement, con- straints and criteria, and a value proposi- tion. They also perform thorough background research on the problem. In their research, the teams are required to consider economic, environmental, global, safety, societal, and public impact factors. Students prepare for class by complet- ing pre-class assignments. For example, if constraints and criteria are the topic, the students are required to meet as a team, generate a list of constraints and criteria, and then bring their list to class. In the This year’s AgBOT Challenge was hosted by Purdue. One of the competitions required classroom, there are eight tables that seat moving autonomously through a field of young corn, identifying weeds, and eliminating nine students each. The teams are ran- the weeds without human intervention. This year’s Purdue team, led by Capstone seniors, domly assigned to different tables each took first place in the weeding competition. Photo by Tom Campbell.

22 September/October 2019 RESOURCE week to create diverse interac- CPD can impact their project and tions among the teams. their career. Some of the CPD ses- During class, there is a short sions are offered by faculty and time for announcements and staff and cover topics including introduction of the topic for the presentation techniques, safety, next week, and then the students ethics, entrepreneurship, patents work together. For example, on and intellectual property, and 3D the topic of constraints and crite- printing. In addition to these inter- ria, each team presents its list and nal CPD sessions, students can makes edits based on feedback attend sessions presented by visit- from the other teams at the table. ing speakers. Past presenters have At the end of the class, the teams included World Food Prize win- upload their original list of con- ners, CEOs of major companies, straints and criteria as well as data science and digital agricul- their edited list for grading. This Beginning with last year’s 1/4 Scale Tractor Competition, the ture experts, and environmental model is used for most classes Purdue entry has been converted to an all-electric drivetrain. experts. There are also other This has been challenging, but it has provided many opportuni- during the fall semester. ties to learn about electric drive systems and mechatronics. aspects of the Capstone sequence, The teams also have several Photo by John Lumkes. including design notebooks and opportunities to present their work peer evaluations. to different audiences. An early first semester, Capstone students enroll in a Fulfilling many goals and feasibility presentation is given to graduate three-credit course that meets once a week, involving many stakeholders, our Capstone students, and alumni and employers volun- but the course includes more lab time, program continues to evolve and change. teer their time for an evening of presenta- along with an hour for CPD. The teams give However, one thing doesn’t change: the role tions later in the semester. These external three presentations during the second that Capstone has in preparing our students reviewers provide both formative and sum- semester. Early in the semester, a progress to leave Purdue ready to impact the world. mative feedback to the students. Following presentation is given to alumni and employ- Capstone brings together current students the presentations, the students, reviewers, ers. Later, a three-minute project summary who forge lifelong friendships, introduces and ABE faculty and staff network while pitch is recorded. At the end of the semes- our discipline to future students, engages enjoying refreshments. By the end of the ter, a formal poster presentation, awards our alumni, gives employers an opportunity first semester, each team has progressed ceremony, and banquet conclude the to engage with smart young people, and through the design process, understands the Capstone experience. Alumni, employers, showcases the talents and dedication of our impact, context, and stakeholders for its family, and friends of the department all students. project, and has generated a solid list of solu- participate in this final Capstone event, and ASABE member John Lumkes, P.E., tions for the assigned problem. At the end of many come back each year to serve as Professor, Department of Agricultural and the semester, each team submits a written Biological Engineering, and Assistant Dean, reviewers for student projects. College of Agriculture Office of Academic report that contains their plan for completing To encourage lifelong learning, stu- Programs, Purdue University, West Lafayette, the project in the second semester. dents are required to attend four CPD ses- Indiana, [email protected]. During the second semester, the focus sions in each semester and reflect on how shifts from planning to execution. As in the

Students on the Purdue Utility Project (PUP) team have been traveling to Africa since 2009, and PUP agricultural utility vehicles are cur- rently operating in seven countries. In the past two years, the PUP team has traveled to Eldoret, Kenya, and worked with the Tumaini Center. Last year’s team built three vehicles; this year's team built one more vehicle and organized several farmer demonstration days. Photo by John Lumkes.

RESOURCE September/October 2019 23 ASABE Foundation Work in Focus Give your time, your money, and yourself

Sonia Maassel Jacobsen, P.E.

rowing up in western North Dakota, it’s logical financial commitment. When I received training for serving that one of my heroes is Theodore Roosevelt, who on a board of volunteers, the trainer stressed that those who was credited with saying: “Every man owes a part really believe in what they are doing support their cause with Gof his time and money to the business or industry both time and money. in which he is engaged. No man has a moral right to withhold A great opportunity for giving is offered by the ASABE his support from an organization that is striving to improve Foundation, on which I served for two years. Contributions to conditions within his sphere.” I agree with Roosevelt (except the non-profit ASABE Foundation are tax-deductible to the for making his statement gender-neutral), and I encourage extent allowed by law. The principal is invested, and the every member of ASABE to consider ways to give back to the returns are used to support awards, scholarships, member profession of agricultural and biological engineering. services, and special activities of the Society, such as the on- Volunteer organizations that are effective and useful have line Technical Library and development of the Supplied members who care enough to give their time, energy, and Reference Handbook (SRH) for the Agricultural and money. Over the years, ASABE has had many members who Biological Engineering exam (see the “YPC News and made sacrifices to provide leadership to our Society. Today, Notes” in this issue for more information on the SRH). ASABE still needs its members to step forward and volunteer Colin Powell expressed a thought that was similar to for Society tasks and positions. These efforts are needed in Roosevelt’s and made the point even stronger: “Giving back the local sections, on section and national committees, for involves a certain amount of giving up.” The world is a richer efforts such as peer-review of technical papers, for providing place when people share of themselves for causes and organ- leadership to preprofessionals, and in service to our partner izations that they believe in. organizations, such as NCEES, ABET, ANSI, and others. My parents were strong believers in sharing resources Agricultural and biological engineers are also needed to and providing funds for worthy projects that addressed serve on state boards of licensure for professional engineers. humanitarian needs. When they died, I used funds from their Find out what the process is in your state for serving in that estate to provide seed money for the Giving Back Fund, capacity. I did that for my home state of Minnesota, and the which supports humanitarian efforts that require the knowl- experience exposed me to perspectives that have been very edge and skills of agricultural and biological engineers. enlightening. I work with a diverse group of professionals Recently selected humanitarian efforts are showcased on the who are committed to making Minnesota a good place to live ASABE website at https://asabe.org/GivingBack. I’ve also by protecting public health, safety, and welfare through their made a commitment in my will for a legacy contribution to efforts. I may not always agree with my fellow board mem- ASABE after my death. bers, but I respect them and their opinions in our combined Weigh the choices and consider carefully how you can effort to make our state a better place to live and work. give back—to ASABE, to your community, to your state or Consider serving within your local unit of government, province, to your nation, and to the world. To find out more perhaps on a planning commission, task force, or other entity about how you can contribute to the Foundation, contact where your engineering skills can be useful. ASABE Executive Director Darrin Drollinger at Volunteer your time for a non-profit organization that [email protected]. needs your talents. This may involve oversight of an environ- ASABE Fellow and Past President Sonia Maassel Jacobsen, mental education project, involvement in a construction proj- P.E., Adjunct Faculty, Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems ect, writing grant proposals, and more. Here in Minnesota, Engineering, University of Minnesota, and USDA-NRCS Agricultural Engineer (retired), Roseville, Minnesota, [email protected]. we had a non-profit camp that needed a new septic system. The board was comprised of many knowledgeable profes- This is one in a series of articles from the Foundation Development Committee. sionals, but no engineers. What an opportunity to serve and showcase agricultural and biological engineering! ASABE Fellow Larry Gaultney P.E., Foundation Trustee, Senior Engineering Associate (retired), DuPont, Elkton, Maryland, The above quotation from Teddy Roosevelt emphasizes [email protected]. giving money as well as time and talents. We need to search ASABE Fellow Sylvia Schonauer, P.E., Foundation Trustee and inside ourselves and determine if a cause concerns us enough Development Committee Chair, Principal Engineer (retired), W.K. to donate financially, and then determine our own level of Kellogg Institute, Bellaire, Michigan, [email protected].

24 September/October 2019 RESOURCE VisualChallenge9 Last call!

he Professional Engineering Institute (PEI) spon- sored “Guide to Licensure” sessions at the Midwest and Southeast Regional Rallies this past Tyear, presented by YPC. During those sessions, our goal was to present the steps involved in becoming a licensed engineer and the professional advantages that licensure provides. In particular, we discussed five great reasons to get licensed: professional esteem, career devel- opment, career agility, authority, and compensation. The students who attended the “Guide to Licensure” sessions were already signed up or had already taken the Submit your ag and bio engineering Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam. Some students were undecided about whether or not they would eventually images by October 4, 2019 take the Professional Engineering (PE) exam, but knew they wanted to leave the door open for that opportunity. Here is some information to consider if you are inter- ested in taking the Agricultural and Biological Engineering PE exam in the coming year: • The last paper-based Ag/Bio Engineering PE exam will be administered in April 2020. After that, the exam is moving to a computer-based testing (CBT) platform! • A supplied reference handbook (SRH) is being devel- oped that compiles all the reference material needed Now is your chance to convey and celebrate the beauty for the exam. This SRH will be available for the April of your work, your research, or your technical communi- ty. It’s up to you and your camera, so be creative! 2020 paper exam (and all CBT exams following). Candidates will be able to print the SRH and bring it to Submit as many entries as you want. All entries should be original work, and the image resolution must be 300 the exam, just like any other reference. Comments will dpi or greater. Hurry, the deadline for submissions is be sought from exam candidates on possible improve- October 4, 2019. ments to the SRH. E-mail your entries, as attachments, to [email protected]. • The first CBT version of the Ag/Bio Engineering exam Write “VisualChallenge9” in the subject line, and include will be administered in October 2021. This first CBT a title and brief description for each image. If necessary, include a name for crediting the image and written assur- exam will be presented on one screen, and the SRH ance that permission has been granted to submit and will appear on a second screen as a PDF document. A possibly publish the image. small set of ASABE Standards will also be available as The best images will be selected by ASABE staff and part of the SRH. published in the January/February 2020 issue of • Preparation tools are continually being updated. These Resource. Good luck! Have fun! We’d love to see what tools are available at www.asabe.org/Careers/ you do! Professional-Licensure. To see the winning entries from previous Visual • The incentive program for first-time and repeat exam Challenges, visit: www.asabe.org/VisualChallenge. candidates will still be offered. Get paid to take the Ag/Bio Engineering exam! More information about the incentive program is available at the link above. ASABE member and YPC member-at-large Gayle Baker, P.E., Agricultural Services Engineer, Maurer-Stutz, Inc., Peoria, Illinois, [email protected].

RESOURCE September/October 2019 25 ow! So many memories from the 2019 Annual International Meeting in WBoston in July. What a great event! Total attendance in Boston was 1,808, and nearly 48% of those attendees were age 35 and under. A younger AIM has been one of our long- time goals, and we cerainly are making progress to reach it. The meeting was Poster session discussions also very diverse, with people from 48 Keynote speaker Joel Makower states, 8 provinces, and 36 countries. Look at the great time we had in Boston and plan on joining us in Omaha, Nebraska, on July 12-15, 2020. We will be helping the Nebraska Tractor Test Laboratory celebrate its 100th anniver- sary. Lots of big events are being planned, and you won’t want to miss it!

Order of the Engineer Incoming President Sue Nokes

Great information exchange President Maury Salz at the poster session A lovely morning for the YPC run

What to do next? ASABE’s newly inducted Fellows So many opportunities at AIM Fellow Kati Migliaccio was pinned by her daughter Claire

26 September/October 2019 RESOURCE Intense robotics work

Outstanding reviewers Panel discussion on sustainability

Passing the gavel YPC Fun Run

Did they get wet? NC State and the Fountain Wars Robotics competition

Career fair discussions

Fellow Tom Richard & the grad school roundtable

A formidable pack of YPC runners

Fellow John Fisher Staffers Tina & Mark Career fair bulletin board

Newly elected IPC officers Student Awards Breakfast Speaker, Maury Salz with Curt Blades, Senior VP, AEM award winner Michael Pate

RESOURCE September/October 2019 27 Meet the Fellows Honoring the Newly Elected

he new crop of ASABE Fellows were inducted at As the ASABE Constitution states, Fellows are “of the 2019 Annual International Meeting in Boston. unusual professional distinction, with outstanding and We will be highlighting those twelve new Fellows in extraordinary qualifications and experience in, or related to, Tthis issue as well as upcoming issues of Resource. the field of agricultural, food, or biological engineering.” ASABE Fellows all have a minimum of 20 years of Election to Fellow is one of the highest distinctions an active practice in, or related to, the profession of engineering, ASABE member can achieve, and Resource looks forward to the teaching of engineering, or the teaching of an engineer- helping you get to know some of ASABE’s best and brightest. ing-related curriculum. The designation Fellow has honorary status to which members may be elected but may not apply.

Hongda Chen, national program leader, bioprocess engineering and nanotechnology, USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), is honored for his outstanding leadership in advancing nanoscale science and food manufacturing technology for agriculture and food systems in research, education, and out- reach. Chen has made significant con- tributions as a national program leader for the USDA NIFA. His Tami M. Brown-Brandl, professor and Dr. William E. and Eleanor L. effective leadership and Splinter Chair, Precision Livestock Engineer, University of Nebraska- achievement in bringing Lincoln, is honored for her lasting contributions to animal energet- nanoscale science, engineering, ics, and precision animal management. and nanotechnology to agriculture and food research, education, and outreach is particularly notable. Chen was one of the two co- Brown-Brandl’s career research has led to the development of a chairs who organized a national workshop to develop a compre- forecast cattle heat stress website and a smartphone application. hensive vision of nanotechnology for agriculture and food systems. Her work has resulted in updates to American Society of Heating, This has significantly impacted policy changes and led to new Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers and ASABE standards research investment by government, academia, and industry in the for heat and moisture production data for all phases of swine pro- U.S. and many other countries. Chen has been instrumental in duction. In addition, Brown-Brandl’s research has led to new inno- growing the food engineering and technology portfolio of the vations in precision livestock farming, including technologies like USDA NIFA. As a NIFA liaison, he has provided important leadership sensors, RFID systems, and cameras, to record and summarize indi- to multistate research committees. Additionally, he was instrumen- vidual animal responses. In her research, Brown-Brandl has devel- tal in establishing a joint agricultural products processing center oped models to predict animal susceptibility to heat stress using a involving premier U.S. and Chinese research institutes. knowledge-based hierarchical fuzzy inference system. Chen has actively contributed to numerous policy documents of the Brown-Brandl is also very involved in K-12 outreach within her com- National Nanotechnology Initiative, including its strategic plans, sup- munity, volunteering as a FIRST Lego league coach and a FIRST plements to the U.S. President’s annual budgets, and reports of robotics competition coach and mentor. She has also worked as a workshops since 2001. Chen co-chaired the 2010 National FIRST tech challenge coach. Nanotechnology Initiative Strategic Plan task force and provided crit- Pictured above, Tami and her family hiking up Mt. Vesuvius near ical leadership to developing this important document. Naples, Italy. Pictured above, Hongda and his family enjoying the Shanghai Disneyland Park in spring 2019.

28 September/October 2019 RESOURCE professional opportunities

DIRECTOR OF MEMBERSHIP AMERICAN SOCIETY OF AGRICULTURAL AND BIOLOGICAL ENGINEERS

The American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) is seeking an experienced, highly motivated, analytical, and customer-focused individual to serve as Director of Membership. This is a full- time, exempt position reporting to the Executive Director. About ASABE ASABE is an educational and scientific organization dedicated to the advancement of engineering applicable to agricultural, food, and biological systems. Founded in 1907 and headquartered in St. Joseph, Michigan, ASABE comprises 7,000 members in more than 90 countries. Agricultural, food, and biological engineers develop efficient and environmentally sensitive methods ensuring ample food, feed, fiber, clean water, and renewable energy sources for an ever-increasing world population. About the Position The Director of Membership is responsible for the management and administration of ASABE’s activities to support and retain cur- rent members, attract new members, oversee our awards programs, and support section and chapter engagement. This includes evaluating current member programs and services, developing and implementing marketing strategies, and creating new programs and services to meet evolving member needs. The Director is responsible for ensuring that ASABE membership programs and serv- ices meet defined organizational goals, including financial objectives. The position’s responsibilities include but are not limited to: • Develop and implement membership marketing strategies, including promotional campaigns and recruitment and retention activities. • Develop evaluation methods for these strategies and use these data to inform future efforts and ASABE leadership. • Serve as ex-officio secretary to the Membership Development Council (MDC) and maintain a close working relation- ship to provide support and guidance to the MDC and its related committees, communities, geographic units, sec- tions, and student branches. • Identify opportunities and trends for membership and organizational growth. • Collaborate with other ASABE staff directors on projects impacting membership. • Administer and enhance current member benefits such as the Career Center, Continuing Education Center, insur- ance programs, and other affinity benefits and services. • Supervise and lead the related activities of employees within the Membership department. • Oversee annual membership dues renewal cycle. • Support member-driven committees on accreditation and Professional Engineer licensure issues. Work Experience • At least 7 years of experience working in membership for a non-profit, academic, or member-based organization or equivalent. • A minimum of 3 years in a leadership role with demonstrated ability to lead a team of membership professionals. • Experience with strategy creation and performance analysis for recruitment, retention, and other membership activities. • High-level experience with data management and analysis, and use of data to inform strategies and activities. • Financial analysis experience, including revenue and expense monitoring and reconciliation and budget develop- ment. • Experience working collaboratively with peers across internal departments, and with elected and volunteer leader- ship. • Experience working with volunteers and a demonstrated ability to attend to the needs of international members. Desired Qualifications • A passion for delivering customer service excellence and building relationships. • Keen analytical abilities and expertise in data-based decision making and management. • Stellar written and verbal communication skills. • Proficiency with Microsoft Office software and familiarity with membership database software (iMIS preferred) and website management. • Knowledge of the engineering mindset.

ASABE offers a competitive salary, great benefits package, collegial work environment, and a wonderful location on the sandy shores of Lake Michigan in southwest Michigan. Position requires some travel. ASABE is an equal opportunity employer. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a reference and background investigation. Email resume and cover letter to [email protected]. No telephone calls please.

RESOURCE September/October 2019 29 professional listings

CURRY-WILLE & ASSOCIATES CONSULTING ENGINEERS P.C. Animal and Livestock Facility Design Feed and Grain Processing and Storage Fertilizer/Pesticide Containment Design TSP/Manure Handling Design Agricultural Research Facilities AMES, IA 515-232-9078 WWW.CURRYWILLE.COM

INDUCTIVE ENGINEERING DALE GUMZ, P.E., C.S.P. 10805 230th Street Cadott, WI 54727-5406 • Accident Reconstruction • Mechanical & Electrical • Safety Responsibilities • Product & Machine Design 715-289-4721 [email protected] www.inductiveengineering.net

Your personal/company consultant business card could appear here.

For information on rates ($95 and up), visit www.asabe.org/Advertise or contact Sandy Rutter, 269-932-7004, [email protected].

30 September/October 2019 RESOURCE last word

Why Capstones? Sonia Maassel Jacobsen, P.E.

hy would ASABE devote an entire issue of its International Meeting allow Capstone instructors to meet and Resource magazine to senior Capstone pro- exchange information. Ideas for Capstone projects are sought grams? Why does just about every university and screened. Some projects create a prototype, and some do Wrequire a Capstone engineering experience? not. Some projects design a tangible item, and others design The 55 jurisdictions that license engineers in the U.S. a process that achieves a critical goal. Projects are sponsored and its territories are largely agreed that licensed engineers by companies, non-profits, government agencies, and indi- should graduate from an accredited institution of higher viduals. All projects are open-ended to force creative think- learning. Accreditation requires a standardized education ing. No giant answer book is out there! such that an acceptable level of quality is achieved. In the As an instructor of a Capstone course, I value the U.S., accreditation is the purview of ABET, Inc. involvement of other engineers in giving our students a posi- (www.abet.org), a cooperative effort of professional societies tive experience. Many former students think that the in many fields of engineering, computer science, applied and Capstone course was the best course they ever took. They natural sciences, and engineering technology. ABET’s enjoyed their team experience, and they found ways to use accreditation is so highly regarded that many universities in each person’s strengths for the common good. Their written other countries also seek ABET review and endorsement. and oral presentations honed skills that are valued in the “real The work of ABET is largely completed by volunteers world” by employers and clients. The industry advisory coun- from academia, government, and industry who perform peer- cil for our department has members who are concerned about based review. Recent numbers on the ABET website indicate the quality of the department and its graduates. They devote that 4005 programs are accredited at 793 institutions of time to advising Capstone teams and encouraging students higher learning in 32 countries. one-on-one. Serving as an industry mentor allows a close ABET requirements include a “culminating design expe- inspection of the students’ work ethics, engineering skills, rience” (frequently called a Capstone course) in which the communication skills, and their ability to think creatively. students demonstrate mastery of the material learned in the Many students have been hired by the company that spon- preceding three or four years of their program of study by sored their senior Capstone project! applying it to a design project that incorporates appropriate So what is a Capstone? In architecture, it’s the top stone engineering standards and multiple constraints. This experi- of an arch that locks the arch into a solid, self-supporting ence involves applying engineering skills to produce solu- structure. In education, it’s the culminating experience that tions that meet specific needs with consideration of public uses all the knowledge and skills gained in university educa- health, safety, and welfare, as well as social, cultural, global, tion to produce an excellent engineer and a leader for the environmental, and economic factors. No small task! future. Many professional societies sponsor discussions and pre- ASABE Fellow and Past President Sonia Maassel Jacobsen, sentations on this required course at their meetings. The need P.E., USDA-NRCS (retired) and Adjunct Faculty, Department of to share ideas about effective instruction is what inspires this Bioproducts and Biosystems, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, [email protected]. issue of Resource. Technical sessions at ASABE’s Annual

Views expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of ASABE.

RESOURCE September/October 2019 31