Senior class students from Louisiana Tech University’s College of Engineering and Science showcased their solutions to real-world problems at the College of Engineering and Science Senior Projects Conference held recently on the Louisiana Tech campus. The students presented studies and designs as well as simulations illustrating solutions that could aid in international research and regional industrial applications. The nearly 100 projects presented included aerial unmanned vehicle prototypes, studies of hydronic jets at the Large Hadron Collider, plans for construction and solutions to save time and money in industry and health care. The Senior Projects Conference is the culmination of the College of Engineering and Science senior capstone experience – a yearlong project in which student teams work to solve problems, develop new products and perform leading edge research. “The Senior Projects Conference is a great display of the innovative solutions that our students develop for real-world problems,” Dr. Hisham Hegab, dean of the College of Engineering and Science said. “It represents many long hours of hard work that students and faculty advisers devote during the year. We are extremely proud of their work and the impact it has on many local industries which sponsor the projects.” Dr. Heath Tims, associate dean for undergraduate studies with the College of Engineering and Science adds that the conference is a chance for students to exhibit the work they have put in with research as well as the final product. “The Senior Projects Conference is really a celebration of the great work that our students have done throughout the year. Most of the projects are sponsored by industry in our region, and our students are tackling these real problems that ultimately result in a major economic impact for our state’s economy,” he said. Along with the real-world learning experiences gained by the students, the 2016 senior projects saved industrial partners a substantial amount of money. In addition to individuals, professors and programs, Senior Projects Conference sponsors included Central Louisiana Surgical Hospital, Holy Angels Residential Facility, the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, the Louisiana Tech Chemistry Program, the National Science Foundation, Bar J Ranch, WestRock Paper Mill, Louisiana Purchase Council of the Boy Scouts of America, Aldea Services LLC, Anvil Attachments, Vacant Property Security LLC, Mojo Outdoors, A.J. Weller Corporation, Cameron Corporation, NASA LA-Space Program, Bill Lewis Outdoors, American Ingenuity, LLC, SWEPCO Power Plan, Con-Fab Engineering and Welding, T.L. James Cub World Lake Pedestrian Bridge, Haynes International, ConAgra Foods, Manitowoc, Frymaster, Weyerhauser and Mojo Outdoors. Written by Brandy McKnight – mcknight@latech.edu