On May 2: Innovative engineering showcased at NIU's Senior Design Day

Northern Illinois University’s 2025 Senior Design Showcase on Friday, May 2, will offer a compelling look at the next wave of engineering innovation, from robotic arms and virtual-reality simulators to biomedical breakthroughs and smart-home tech.

This year, the capstone expo (or showcase) for graduating seniors at the NIU Convocation Center, 1525 W. Lincoln Highway, will include a fascinating atmospheric addition: projects by two mechanical engineering teams in support of ICECHIP, the In-situ Collaborative Experiment for Collection of Hail in the Plains.

The students are outfitting a 2022 Ford F-150 pickup truck, known as the “Huskie Hail Hunter,” to make it hail resistant. It’s part of an $11 million National Science Foundation-supported field project co-led by NIU Atmospheric Science Professor Victor Gensini. ICECHIP is the world’s largest ever coordinated effort to study hail.

Working under the guidance of Presidential Teaching Professor Nick Pohlman and Associate Professor Iman Salehinia, six mechanical engineering students have split into two teams, one to simulate force impacts of hail and the other to create a mounting frame where the integrated designs protect the windshield from hail damage.

From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on May 2nd, the Huskie Hail Hunter—along with over 50 other team projects—will be at the Convocation Center. About 185 students enrolled in NIU’s College of Engineering and Engineering Technology capstone courses present outcomes at the showcase, mostly as members of three- or four-person teams.

Free and open to the public, the showcase challenges students to apply their academic knowledge to real-world engineering problems. Throughout the academic year, student teams collaborate with faculty advisors and industry mentors to develop solutions that are summarized in posters and reflected in tangible prototypes or other digital artifacts on display.

Attendees can expect to explore a diverse array of projects that exemplify the breadth and depth of engineering disciplines at NIU: mechanical, electrical, industrial and systems, engineering technology, mechatronics and biomedical.

The two ICECHIP teams worked to design, model and analyze an expanded metal mesh system that extends over the pickup truck’s windshield and absorbs and disperses hail impact energy, reducing windshield damage.

They explored a variety of potential solutions that balanced the pros and cons of factors such as durability, weight and design. Along the way, they developed time management, communication and other skills that will serve them well in their careers—an intensive experience shared by all the senior design teams.

Ryan Ramos, part of the team creating the windshield protection frame, said it was rewarding to contribute to such a significant endeavor.

“It takes a lot of time to replace windshields and that keeps researchers from being in the field,” he said. “Our design protects the windshield and other parts of the truck from hail larger than one inch in diameter.”

“It’s pretty exciting,” said Andy Acosta, a member of the hail simulation team. “We’re working on a product that will be used out in the real world, especially by storm chasers. It’s cool knowing that what we’re building will help protect Victor and his team during serious hailstorms.”

From advancements in industrial automation safety to the development of autonomous robotic systems, these projects highlight the students’ technical skills, creativity and problem-solving abilities.

“Senior Design Day is a testament to the hard work and innovation of our students,” CEET Dean David Grewell said. “It’s an opportunity for the community and industry professionals to engage with the next generation of engineers and witness firsthand the practical solutions they’ve developed.”

This year’s showcase includes projects such as a 6 Degree-of-Freedom Robotic Arm, a Smart Helmet that’s a wearable gas leak detection system, a hydraulic autonomous leaf collection system, and a Raspberry Pi–based IoT (Internet of Things) landscaping system.

Biomedical teams are pushing boundaries with designs such as Organ on a Chip and Collagen Scaffolding for tissue engineering. Other teams are streamlining manufacturing with tools like a Text Fixture Apparatus for Hand Testing Printed Circuit Board Assemblies (PCBAs) and developing clean energy solutions like Electron Beam Irradiation for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Water Treatment.

The event also underscores the strong partnerships between NIU and various industry leaders, with over 20 companies this year bridging the gap between academic learning and industry application.

Fermilab is sponsoring six teams and co-sponsoring one other team’s efforts with Argonne National Laboratory.

Industry sponsors include Alloy Specialties, Alloyd, Americold, Bonnell Industries, Collins Aerospace, CST Industries, Danfoss Drives, G & W Electric, Hiwin, Ketch Products, Midland, Omron, PMA Friction Products, Suncast, Swenson Products, Trane Technologies, VoxSomnia, Woodward and Xylem.

In addition, the National Fluid Power Association is sponsoring a pair of teams.

In past years, Senior Design Day has attracted over 1,200 visitors, including industry professionals, educators and prospective students. The event provides a platform for students to demonstrate their readiness to enter the engineering profession and for attendees to engage with emerging technologies and ideas.

Admission and parking are free, and no registration is required. School field trips are encouraged, offering younger students a glimpse into the possibilities within the field of engineering.

For more information, please visit NIU’s Senior Design page.

NIU College of Engineering and Engineering Technology (CEET) provides affordable access to a world-class engineering education. Our fully accredited programs emphasize hands-on experience, with small classes taught by experienced, dedicated faculty that help a diverse array of students explore and ignite their passions in bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs. Learn more by visiting our website.