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In the United States, ice storms affect hundreds of millions every year. Interviews show homeowners' desire to stay inside as much as possible when faced with icy conditions, wanting to limit risking injury due to walking down personally owned surfaces like porch sidewalks and driveways. There is a need for a device that has the capabilities to distribute deicing solutions across a property without manual intervention. This device must be controlled remotely to limit cold exposure and slip risk for the owner. This systems engineering project combined mechanical, electrical, and control components to create a working prototype. The prototype features a remote controlled vehicle with two deicing mechanisms. A solid rock salt distribution solution functions like a water wheel off the back edge of the bot; a liquid salt brine distribution spray nozzle is featured on the back of the vehicle like a sprinkler. The working model looks to prevent winter and ice-related injuries in residential settings. Additionally, controlled spreading of the deicing solutions at suggested rates prevents excess use and limits environmental impacts. A final working prototype model was produced to show basic concepts in a scaled manner.
Sarah Kirsch
Sarah Kirsch
Originally from Ballwin, Missouri, Sarah Kirsch started St. Louis University as a biomedical engineering major, but quickly changed to mechanical engineering after her first semester to learn more about all types of engineering. She currently works full time as an application engineer in the robotics and automation industry as she finishes up her capstone course and time at SLU. Her interests focus on systems projects and creating start to finish solutions.
Grace Flaherty
Grace Flaherty
Grace Flaherty, coming from Barrington, Rhode Island, started at SLU as an undecided engineering major. Grace will be graduating as a Mechanical Engineering major this upcoming May. Following graduation, Grace plans to pursue her interests in software engineering, which has been influenced by her year long Platform Engineering internship with Panasonic North America's Smart Mobility Office.
Elaina Johnson
Elaina Johnson
Elaina Johnson is originally from Breese, Illinois and is majoring in Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Engineering Mathematics. While at SLU, she works as a coursed-based tutor in the tutoring center and a teaching assistant for the underclassmen CAD course. After graduation, Elaina is excited to work in the engineering field while pursuing her master's and doctorate degree.
Reagan Anspaugh
Reagan Anspaugh
Reagan Anspaugh grew up in Keller, Texas. She is a mechanical engineering major. After graduation Reagan is open to pursue many different specializations, but she has an interest in consulting.
Crystal Kimama
Crystal Kimama
Crystal Kimama is from Urbandale, Iowa and is a senior in Mechanical Engineering at SLU. After graduation, she will be joining Deloitte's consulting team to work as an Application and Program Analyst in their Chicago office. She is involved in Society of Women Engineers, and spent time working in SLU's CHROME lab, run by Dr. Jenna Gorlewicz.
The group would like to thank Dr. Sridhar Condoor for their support of this project.
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