UND Engineers design lunar robot!

UND student engineers are hard at work!

A group of eight University of North Dakota mechanical and electrical engineering students have built a remotely operated robot capable of collecting more than 20 kg of lunar simulant (simulated moon dirt) in about three minutes. Part of the NASA sponsored Lunabotics Mining Competition, the robot was designed by the team over the last year. The UND Engineering-built robot will be demonstrated at an event open to the public on Thursday, May 20, from 3 to 4 p.m. in 106 Upson Hall I on the UND campus. 

The competition asked undergraduate and graduate students to design and build a remote controlled or autonomous excavator (lunabot) that can collect and deposit a minimum of 10 kg of lunar simulant (simulated moon dirt) within 15 minutes. The complexities of the challenge include the abrasive characteristics of the lunar stimulant, the weight and size limitations of the lunabot, and the ability to control the lunabot from a remote control center. Twenty-two teams from around the nation will compete at the Kennedy Space Center Astronaut Hall of Fame on May 27-28.

The robot unloads the simulant into a collection bin that is 1 meter above the soil using an auger in a process similar to that of unloading a combine. The robot is controlled remotely by an operator with a standard video game controller. The biggest challenge to the operator is that the robot's environment can only be viewed through an on-board camera.

If you would like more information on the project or schedule another viewing time please contact Jeremiah Neubert at 777-2107, jeremiah.neubert@und.edu , or Naima Kaabouch at 777- 4460,  naimakaabouch@mail.und.edu .

Info from UND Press Room

Congrats UND Engineers!

From the UND Press Room...

A laser-based video communications payload for small unmanned aircraft was named the most innovative engineering design an the annual Freeman Innovative Design Competition held at The University of North Dakota School of Engineering and Mines. The awards were presented by David Loer, President and CEO of Minnkota Power Cooperative Inc.

The competition, held in honor of Andrew Freeman, School of Engineering and Mines alumnus and former general manager of Minnkota Power Cooperative, Inc., requires individuals or teams of engineering students to present their senior design project to a panel of distinguished engineers.
The first-place team of two electrical engineers designed the free space laser communications device because it can provide wide bandwidth and high security capabilities to Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) operating intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance missions.  Future goals of the project include moving from UAS to ground communications to UAS -UAS free space laser communication.  Winning first place and $2,000 were Mariusz Czarnomski, Gdansk, Poland and Jason Blakely, Thief River Falls, Minn.

Taking home the second place award of $1,000 was a team of mechanical engineering students who designed a self-centering claw for an Andros F6A Robot commonly used by bomb squads across the country.  The claw was designed to grip a door knob sufficiently to both turn and push/pull a door open. Team members are:  Dylan Dyke, Plaza, N.D.; Kevin Landsverk, Fosston, Minn.; Michael Mettler, Hazen, N.D., and Monty Bulzomi, Carrington, N.D.

Third place and $750 was shared between the chemical and civil engineering teams.  The chemical engineering team developed a process to produce commercial grade benzene and toluene from a crop oil feed stock. A pedestrian bridge crossing Cass County Drain 27 in the Osgood development in southwest Fargo was designed by the civil engineering team. Team members on the chemical engineering team are: Joel Downs, Hillsboro, N.D.; Tom Hilpisch, Savage, Minn.; Rob Horn, St. Cloud, Minn.; and Tony Schanilec, West Fargo, N.D. Civil engineering team members included: Jonathan Bach, New York Mills, Minn.; Elita Castleberry, Monte Vista, Colo.; Terri Odegaard, Bemidji, Minn.;  John Cartier, Cumberland, R.I.;  and David Ackert, Cottage Grove, Minn. 

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Civil Engineer II - Kadrmas, Lee & Jackson
Maintenance Engineer - American Crystal Sugar
Electrical Engineer - Kelly Engineering Services
Software Engineer - Raytheon
Field Engineer - Raytheon

Find these job opportunities and more at http://www.ndworkforceconnection.com

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Below are some new career opportunities available in the Grand Forks region. Check them out!

Systems Engineer - Ideal Aerosmith
Electrical Engineer - Ideal Aerosmith
Maintenance Engineer - American Crystal Sugar
Systems Engineer II - Raytheon
Research Scientist/Engineer - UND
Mechanical Engineer - McFarlane
Electrical Assembler - Ideal Aerosmith

See more details on these opportunities online at Job Service ND. Search keyword "engineer."

Good luck!

Link: Engineering at work

Link: Engineering worked to connect Kadrmas, Lee, and Jackson and their newest UND intern Angela. KLJ met Angela at Link, talked about internship opportunities, Angela sent her resume and contact info to KLJ, they met for an interview, and she was hired as their new summer intern this week!  Congrats to both on your partnership.

Make sure you are utilizing the connections and making continual contact with the students or professionals you met at Link: Engineering. Don't hesitate to send an email or make a phone call.  It could lead you to a new internship or job.

And remember, Link is your resource.  Send us your job openings, your internship interests, or any other needs and we can get that info to our Link attendees. Email michaelas@grandforks.org.

Keep connecting!

Link: Engineering success!

Thank you for attending Link: Engineering!  Nearly 70 students and professionals connected and shared engineering opportunities and ideas.

Keep checking this website as more engineering opportunities (ie: jobs, internships, projects, etc) will often be posted, and make sure you join the Link: Engineering Facebook fan page to stay update as well.

Check out more photos from Link: Engineering.

Thank you also to the wonderful Link sponsors for their support of the program!

North Dakota Society of Professional Engineers
UND Society of Women Engineers
UND Engineers Council
UND Center for Community Engagement
Grand Forks Region EDC

Link: Engineering today!

Don't miss Link: Engineering today from 5-6:30 pm at the Hilton Garden Inn.

Many students and professionals have already RSVP'd. 
Make sure you don't miss out on learning about all the engineering opportunities available to you in 
Grand Forks/East Grand Forks!