Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering Undergrad Senior Design Project

[AJSayad]

TL;DR Summary

Request for senior design project idea help

Hi everyone,

This semester I'm enrolled in a senior design course where the students must fully design and fabricate a project from scratch that solves a problem. I've been struggling to think of ideas, so far I have some ideas on a windmill/turbine and a few electricity generation device ideas but none of them seem to be that solid or original.

I was hoping to create a project that is related to aerodynamics, fluid mechanics, or aerospace engineering as this is where I intend to take my career but I've been having a lot of trouble thinking of ideas. Each student has a budget of about $70 (USD) and we need the project to have a prototype and final product. The project also needs to solve some kind of a problem or improve on a previous design.

Any kind of suggestion or nudge in some direction to help jumpstart my brain a little bit would be a huge help. Thanks!

 

[jrmichler]

Search bicycle fairing for some ideas. Reduces drag for better speed, partial protection from rain, and simple enough to build in the time available on the allowed budget.

 

[berkeman]

Search bicycle fairing for some ideas. Reduces drag for better speed, partial protection from rain, and simple enough to build in the time available on the allowed budget.

Now how did I know that you were going to suggest that...?

 

[AJSayad]

Search bicycle fairing for some ideas. Reduces drag for better speed, partial protection from rain, and simple enough to build in the time available on the allowed budget.

That sounds like a great idea, thanks for the input I'll check it out!