Enterprise Blog

Author: Briana Tucker

Don’t Lose Your Tenacity: Allysa Meinburg’s P&O Pathway

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Allysa participating in a study wearing Free-EMG muscle sensors

Hi! My name is Allysa Meinburg. I am currently a first-year grad student in the Masters of Prosthetics and Orthotics at the University of Pittsburgh. Prosthetics and Orthotics is a specialty field in rehabilitation medicine that focuses on creating and delivering devices for those with limb deficiencies. This program applies biomedical engineering concepts but adds pathology and physical human care in a treatment plan. This specialty can be in both immediate post-op and long-term care.

I enrolled at Michigan Tech as a Biomedical Engineering major, and later I switched majors to Biology and graduated with a Human Biology major and minors in Pre-Health Professions and Enterprise. Having a strong engineering and biology background has really set me up to have a well-rounded understanding of my field.

I knew I wanted to be a prosthetics and orthotics practitioner since I learned about the field in high school and have been pursuing avenues to get there ever since. I participated in competitive robotics (FIRST Robotics Competition) and later mentored teams through my time at Mott Community College and at Tech. I enjoyed engineering and technical device design but realized I wanted to focus more on healthcare and human practice. I have worked in many healthcare positions as an ER Physicians Scribe, a Surgery Tech, and an Orthotics Technician. My education at Tech enriched my understanding of human biology, research, and design, but my work taught me patient management and healthcare systems technology.

While at Tech, I had participated in Dr. Ongs’ BME research lab but found my true passion on the AAA Prosthetic Enterprise Team. Over 4 years our team addressed the challenge of affordable accessible prosthetic devices. I used my 8 semesters of Enterprise research and design to publish 2 research posters and presented them at the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists national conference. The team I was a part of was made up of mostly engineers, but I found myself focusing on the overall functionality of the product and clinical interactions. With my history of patient care in mind, we designed an ankle prosthesis so it could be easily serviced by the individual with components that are replaceable when they wear out. Having a complete understanding and motivation in product design, I feel like we really created a breakthrough product.

 Allysa with her first upper extremity cast

I loved all that Michigan Tech has to offer- both academic and extracurricular! I conducted research in Dr. Ong’s BME research lab and published a paper with his team. On the Enterprise AAA Prosthetic team, we presented research posters at the American Association of Orthotists and Prosthetists conference twice. In my senior year, I was elected the President of the Enterprise Department and received the Outstanding Leadership Expo award. I was also a part of the medical honor society Alpha Epsilon Delta and served as a member and the President. For extracurriculars, I played Women’s Club Rugby, was a member of CRU, and loved(!) to play broomball. I would highly recommend joining AED, the national health honor society. This honor society offers great mentoring connections, volunteering, and philanthropy opportunities. I would also recommend conducting research in any department. I learned so much about how to design a research project, gather data, and implement changes. These skills are paramount in Evidence-Based Practice.

My biggest piece of advice for any Tech student is don’t lose your #tenacity! At the time, Tech didn’t have any prosthetics programs, so I created my own! Working with the Enterprise department we, myself, and the other team members expanded the AAA team and now it has an ankle and foot, prosthetic research team. Lots of the P&O background research and medical ISO preparation processes I am now learning in grad school- huge advantage! We sought funding by presenting to other foundations and departments. Ultimately, this spearheaded our traveling and publishing research at the AAOP conference. If you want to study something that doesn’t exist, it just doesn’t exist YET! Go and find what you love and stay #tenacious.

This blog is reposted from the Pre-Health Professionals Blog

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Enterprise Projects are Shaping Tomorrow’s World

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By Chris Morgan, Assistant Director of Educational Partnerships

Two hands, each with a puzzle piece coming together
Top view of male and female hands joining two matching puzzle pieces together in a conceptual image. Over yellow background.

A special thank you to the supporters of the Michigan Tech Enterprise Program! This year Enterprise and Senior Design Teams are tackling inspiring and engaging projects and are solving problems more important than ever before.

Students enrolled in Enterprise right now are solving leading-edge technology problems, including energy-saving appliances, automotive autonomy and electrification, intelligent grid systems, medical devices, heavy machinery, department of defense, and even emerging bicycle technology. Students even have an opportunity to get involved in our community with projects that support local non-profits like Little Brother’s, Friends of the Elderly.

Our Consumer Products Manufacturing Enterprise (CPM) is once again working to create practical prototypes of the “Shared Air” system that can help mitigate and eliminate bacteria and viruses in buildings and enclosed spaces. Long-time Enterprise supporter General Motors are now sponsoring the project.

The ITOxygen Enterprise team is diving headfirst into Machine Learning and AI technology with two relevant projects studying and analyzing big data sets of video and imaging for medical and civil engineering customers. Fascinating implementation of new skillsets from the team and new hardware and servers are being put to good use!

Enterprise teams need your support in developing projects and financial support for students to gain educational exposure to real-world engineering, design, business, and problem-solving. As you may know, the Enterprise Program relies on external partnerships to make real-world project curriculum a reality. If you are interested in supporting Michigan Tech students’ education through real-world, hands-on projects, please contact me – Chris Morgan – cjmorgan@mtu.edu. There are many ways to support the teams, including general donation, project sponsorships, Advanced Motorsports Team Support, and Gift in Kind Donation. For more information, please see the Enterprise Sponsorship Website. (Link: https://www.mtu.edu/enterprise/giving/)

If you are already participating as a partner with the Michigan Tech Enterprise Program, thank you! Please don’t hesitate to let us know if you have any experience highlights, questions, or concerns.

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Welcome from the Enterprise Program Office

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By Rick Berkey, Professor of Practice and Director, The Enterprise Program

Welcome to the Fall 2021 issue of the Enterprise Program Newsletter. And welcome to early November in Houghton — as you can see in this photo, Mt. Ripley may get a head start on the ski season if this keeps up!

With our Fall 2021 semester well underway, we have plenty of great news and highlights to share in this issue. Despite the global pandemic, external sponsorship and project support remains strong. Similarly, Spring 2021 Enterprise enrollment was the highest since 2008, with combined team and module course enrollments of 901 students! While external support and enrollment metrics only tell part of the story, both are signals of the value of Enterprise — for students, program partners, and employers of Enterprise graduates. Looking further at enrollment, we see growth across campus, consistent with our efforts to expand and provide experiential learning opportunities. Fun fact: while engineering majors represent ~75% of Enterprise enrollment, students from 24 unique majors outside of engineering now participate in Enterprise. Teams like Hotforest, CinOptic, and the newly launched H-STEM Enterprise (featured in this issue) are helping fuel this growth. And, what’s even more encouraging is that our enterprises are becoming more interdisciplinary: the “average” enterprise enrolls 36 students from six unique majors!

Along with many new student faces, we have seven new faculty serving as advisors or co-advisors. Please join me in welcoming Nick Hendrickson (MMET), David Labyak (MMET), Tim Havens (CS), Joe Azzarello (Chem Eng), Robert Handler (Chem Eng), Steven Elmer (KIP), and Shane Oberloier (ECE) to our Enterprise community. As usual, we also have several team highlights to share since our summer newsletter, so without further delay, please read on and enjoy! 

— Go Huskies!

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Aramco Americas Grant Boosts Advanced Motorsports Enterprise

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Aramco Americas, a multiple-year partner of Michigan Technological University, has awarded the Enterprise Program a $40,000 grant to support STEM education at MTU.

The funds, which demonstrate Aramco America’s ongoing commitment to the Enterprise program, will specifically promote STEM education in the areas of advanced mobility technology, vehicle performance, and reducing emissions. The grant will directly support Advanced Motorsports (AMS) Enterprise Team projects this year, including Formula SAE, Blizzard Baja, Clean Snowmobile, and Supermileage Systems Enterprise.

“This is an outstanding program and one that Aramco Americas has had the pleasure of supporting as part of our commitment to STEM education and advancing transportation technologies,” said David Cleary.  Cleary is responsible for Aramco Research Center in SE Michigan/Detroit area focused on engines and fuels technology.  

Tech’s one-of-a-kind Enterprise program focuses on student-driven multidisciplinary teams that work like companies on real-world client projects. Whether the deliverable is an innovative product, a pioneering solution, or a much-needed service, the hallmark of Enterprise program is experiential training that equips students with the skills they need to succeed. 

“We’re extremely excited and grateful for this contribution” said Chris Morgan, assistant director for educational partnerships. “The Michigan Tech Advanced Motorsports teams in these collegiate competitions are performing at the top levels across the nation. This  gift will help them continue to push the limits of what these competitions are all about.”

This support positions Aramco Americas as a Creating the Future AMS Sponsor.  Each AMS team is an interdisciplinary student team whose goal is to develop a complete vehicle—from concept, through prototyping and testing and on to final build and ‘delivery’ at their respective competitions. While each team operates as a separate Enterprise entity, the AMS umbrella enables our teams to leverage the diverse talent, economies of scale, and synergistic opportunities afforded the group as a whole. The hands-on learning environment allows AMS members to develop critical business, engineering, communication, and leadership skills for a successful transition into the workforce.

For more information on the Enterprise Program, or Aramco America’s partnership with Michigan Tech, please contact enterprise@mtu.edu.

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Steel Warehouse

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Cleveland-Cliffs is North America’s largest flat-rolled steel company and the largest iron ore pellet producer. The company is vertically integrated from mining through iron making, steelmaking, rolling, finishing, and downstream with hot and cold stamping of steel parts and components.

Cleveland-Cliffs has an extensive history of innovating for more than a century. We want to support innovative teams at Michigan Tech by supplying steel for your Enterprise project. 

This program is managed by the Enterprise Program Office.

  •  Any enterprise or senior project team may request steel (and only steel) for their project.
  • To enable the support of many teams across campus, requests are limited to $500. Requests greater than $500 may be considered for approval, depending upon the availability of funds and the total number of requests received. For more information, please contact steelwarehouse@mtu.edu.

Find team instructions here. A list of preferred steel vendors is provided here.

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Q&A with Formula SAE

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Michigan Tech’s Formula SAE Enterprise builds a competition vehicle based on the concept of an affordable race car geared toward the weekend autocrosser. The team competes in SAE Collegiate Design Series Formula SAE events held in various locations across the country. For competition, the team prepares a written design report, a cost analysis and a business case to present to a panel of judges. After passing a technical inspection, the vehicle competes in a series of dynamic events, including acceleration, skid pad, autocross, endurance, and efficiency.

Michigan Tech Formula SAE has a long history of top-performing cars and has gained a reputation for developing cutting-edge designs that help shape the future of racing. Recently I had a chance to catch up with two members of the Formula SAE Enterprise for a Q&A session to learn more about the team’s plans and efforts: Max Urquhart, Formula SAE President and Electrical Engineering student, and Nathan Sodini, an Engineering Management student who serves as Formula SAE’s Business Manager.

Q&A with Max Urquhart, Electrical Engineer (Left), President, and Nathan Sodini, Engineering Management (Right), Business Manager.

What is the focus of the Formula SAE?

The focus of Formula SAE is to continuously improve our cars, our members, and the enterprise program. We provide an environment that enables our members to grow into industry professionals.

What were some of Formula SAE’s goals for this academic year?

FSAE’s top goal for this year was to place in the top 30 overall in the SAE International Formula SAE competition. We also had many advanced projects that occurred this year, the largest being the electrification of our 2019 competition car the F-276, now becoming the e-276. This is the first electric formula SAE car Michigan Tech FSAE has produced. 

What are some of the projects FSAE worked on this year, or are planing to work on in the future?

We have a multitude of projects that were implemented this year! Our projects included electronic limited slip differential, active four-wheel steering, an active drag reduction system (DRS), and the construction and testing of the e-276, the team’s first electric formula SAE car. 

What competitions has FSAE participated in this year?

In April, FSAE participated in the Business Presentation which is the first step of the Formula SAE series competition. The Business Presentation is where teams are given a prompt to create a strategy to lead their companies (race teams). The Business Presentation encompasses engineering strategy, finances, accounting, forecasting, marketing, and management. Students then present to a panel of judges, pitching their projections using a slide show and supporting documents. 

What does this competition involve? What does your team have to do in order to compete?

Competition involves Static and Dynamic Events. The Business Presentation falls into the Static category. Statics Events include the Business Presentation, Technical Inspection, Design Review, and the Knowledge Event. Dynamic Events include, Acceleration, Endurance, Brake Testing, and Skid Pad, and Sound. 

The team placed 20th in the Business Presentation – what happens next?

Our team was very excited to place in the top 20 this year! We reviewed the feedback provided to us by the judges, and will use that to propel next year’s presentation. Next the Business Team has the Real Case Cost Scenario. The team will need to respond with a strategy that allows for the IPO of the team to raise capital to increase production of FSAE cars. 

In May, we participated in the Formula Knowledge Event and placed 21st out of 132 teams. The Business Presentation was just the first step to move forward in the Knowledge Event. The Knowledge Event includes a design paper, cost report, oral design and cost presentation, and educational online workshops. Find more information on the FSAE competition series here, as well as team results here.

What’s the general feeling among members as you conclude this academic year?

Team members were excited that we were able to build the car in person and that we’ve been able to accomplish our goals for the year. We are a very young team with 50% being brand new members, that excitement and passion is great fuel for our team! 

What can the Michigan Tech community do to support or cheer you on for future competitions?

The Michigan Tech community can continue their support by following us on social media! Instagram @mtuformula Facebook https://www.facebook.com/mtuformula and our website https://formulasae.mtu.edu/. Learn more about Enterprise and Advanced Motorsports Enterprise

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Supermileage Systems Enterprise Earns 2nd Place Finish in 2021 SAE Supermileage Competition

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For the second year in a row, Michigan Tech’s Supermileage Systems Enterprise (SSE) took 2nd place overall in the 42nd annual SAE Supermileage competition, held virtually on May 13th & 14th. Per  SAE’s website, the engineering design goal for SAE Supermileage is to develop and construct a single-person, fuel-efficient vehicle that complies with the competition rules. Vehicles run a specified course to obtain the highest combined kilometers per liter (miles per gallon) rating. Students also participate in a design segment consisting of a written report and verbal presentation. Like last year, competition was limited to a virtual knowledge event (report and presentation only) due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

When asked about this year’s Supermileage experience, Rick Berkey, professor of practice in the Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering Technology Dept. and faculty advisor for SSE since 2008, shared the following: “Our team was really looking forward to an in-person event, especially after logging nearly 6,500 hours on vehicle design, fabrication, assembly, and testing. SAE’s decision in late March to cancel the vehicle competition portion was disappointing, but understandable. I am extremely proud of the way SSE students took the news and maintained focus, pushing ahead to assemble and test their vehicle before the end of the semester. I am also impressed with the way they navigated pandemic-related restrictions and challenges all year. When the 2nd place result was announced, I was absolutely thrilled, but not surprised.

“Our design report scores have been the highest in three out of the last four competitions. And this year, SAE provided a new design ‘twist’, challenging teams to evaluate their ability to traverse the competition track in the opposite direction. This includes a steep 6% grade in one section, which has direct implications on powertrain decisions and fuel efficiency. Using vehicle simulation and road load analysis, we were able to justify our powertrain decisions and effectively communicate our understanding of these impacts, which contributed to our strong finish. In addition to congratulating all SSE student members, I would also like to thank SAE International, our AMS sponsors, SSE alumni, and several MTU colleagues who provided additional guidance and mentorship to SSE. This is a perfect example of what makes Michigan Tech’s Enterprise Program so impactful. What a great way to end a challenging year — and with back-to-back 2nd place finishes, SSE is even more eager to return in the Fall with our sights set on taking top honors in the 2022 competition!”

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HIDE Upgrades Lab, Invests in Team Growth

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By Rick Berkey, Professor of Practice and Director, The Enterprise Program

This year, the Humane Interface Design Enterprise (HIDE) used the COVID-19 pandemic as an opportunity to implement needed upgrades to their lab in Rekhi Hall 116. Advised by Dr. Robert Pastel and hosted in the Department of Computer Science in the College of Computing, HIDE focuses on software development and usability research, with a goal to provide its student members a headstart in their careers by immersing them in a collaborative environment where they can gain real-world experience. HIDE was originally launched as a new enterprise in Fall 2011, partnering with Chrysler (now Stellantis) on usability projects for the U-Connect infotainment system used in vehicles from the Fiat 500 to the Dodge Challenger Hellcat. HIDE is highly interdisciplinary, attracting students majoring in Applied Cognitive Sciences and Human Factors, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics, and Software Engineering. Over the past ten years, HIDE has conducted dozens of projects and continues to engage with external project sponsors. A new project this year with ArcelorMittal USA (now Cleveland-Cliffs) involves development of a web-based application and database to enhance the management of technical service organization based on territories. A continuing project with the U.S. Army’s Ground Vehicle Systems Center aims to develop and evaluate different user interfaces for a real-time strategy  game for commander training applications. Additionally, HIDE recently partnered with local non-profit Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly (LBFOE) to develop an easy-to-use transportation and scheduling system that allows LBFOE staff and volunteers to assist local elderly residents with medical appointments. In addition to the externally-sponsored projects, HIDE has six other development projects with multiple campus stakeholders.

All of this hands-on project work requires a functional lab with technology for collaboration and development. With physical distancing restrictions in place across campus this year, HIDE leveraged accumulated team funds to make a strategic investment in their lab. HIDE’s Treasurer and Computer Science Major Jason Holtrey led the project, specifying the needed hardware and coordinating purchases with the Enterprise Program Office and Michigan Tech IT. This included new computers and monitors, a large wall-mounted display, an iPad, an Android-based mobile device, a Vive Virtual Reality headset, and several Raspberry Pi microcomputers. After installing and configuring the new computers, the flat-screen display was mounted at the end of April, thus completing the project. When asked about the lab upgrade, Dr. Pastel stated, “HIDE membership is appreciative of the work that Jason spent building the lab and is eager to start development in the Fall.” With campus restrictions now easing and plans for a fully in-person Fall 2021 semester, HIDE members will return to a well-equipped lab that positions them for continued growth and hands-on development!

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Advanced Motorsport Teams Succeed Across Multiple SAE International Competitions

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Michigan Tech’s Enterprise vehicle competition teams, Blizzard Baja, Clean Snowmobile Challenge, Formula SAE, and Supermileage Systems, each competed in their respective annual SAE International competitions. The results are as follows:

Blizzard Baja took 18th overall out of 83 teams, and 15th out of 58 teams in the endurance event of the Baja SAE Baja Louisville – Validation Event. In Baja SAE, students are tasked with designing and building a single-seat, all-terrain sporting vehicle that is to be a prototype for a reliable, maintainable, ergonomic, and economic production vehicle that serves a recreational user market. For more information check out the results of the Baja SAE competition.

Competition held: May 20-23, 2021 in Louisville, Kentucky

Clean Snowmobile Challenge took 1st place overall, in both the Spark-Ignited Category and Compression Ignited Category. In the SAE Clean Snowmobile Challenge students are tasked with building and enhancing their engineering design and project management skills by re-engineering an existing snowmobile to reduce emissions and noise. For more information, check out the results of the SAE Clean Snowmobile Challenge competition.

Competition held: Virtually

Formula SAE took 21st out of 132 teams in the Formula SAE Knowledge Event – Combustion. The Formula SAE series competitions challenge student teams to conceive, design, fabricate, develop, and compete with small, formula-style vehicles. The competitions give teams the chance to demonstrate and prove both their creativity and engineering skills in comparison to teams from other universities around the world. For more information, about Formula SAE experience this year, check out this Q&A with members from the team, dive deeper into the results of the Formula SAE competition.

Competition held: Virtually

Finally, Supermileage Systems Enterprise took 2nd place overall, for a second year running in the SAE Supermileage competition. The engineering design goal of SAE Supermileage is to develop and construct a single-person, fuel-efficient vehicle that complies with the competition rules and is able to obtain the highest combined km/L (mpg) rating while running a specific course. To learn more of Supermileage System’s experience at competition this year, check out this extended article, or visit the SAE Supermileage competition results page.

Competition held: Virtually

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Welcome from the Enterprise Program Office

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Welcome to our Summer 2021 issue of the Enterprise Program Newsletter. We hope this newsletter finds everyone in good health, wherever you may be. With the 2021-22 academic year now complete, we are finally enjoying some great summer weather here in the Keweenaw. And of course, along with the great weather comes the start of our local construction season – but such is life!  

Students sitting near Husky Statue

As you read through this issue, I hope you share our sense of pride as we highlight just a few of the numerous successes and accomplishments of our Enterprise teams this year. As I’ve said before, I often find inspiration in our students, and this year was certainly no exception. When faced with an extremely challenging learning environment, brought on by the global COVID-19 pandemic, students in Enterprise did what Huskies do best: they rolled up their sleeves, supported one another, got creative, and made the best of a less-than-ideal situation. Whether it be performing a lab upgrade, participating in a fully-virtual Design Expo, competing in one of the many collegiate design competitions, or developing solutions to industry-sponsored projects, students in Enterprise continued to ‘discover, develop, and deliver’, just as they have for more than 20 years. Finally, if you have a project idea or want to get more involved with Enterprise, please reach out to discuss your ideas and interests. And, our front door is always open, if you’re ever in the Houghton area and wish to visit. Until then, enjoy this issue and have a great summer — Go Huskies!

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