uc davis mechanical aerospace engineering student organizations

Student Organizations

Student Organizations 2023-24AY

Taking part in a student organization provides an excellent opportunity for engineering students to apply classroom knowledge to real-world applications. Members gain skills in teamwork, leadership and time management, as well as contacts with industry for potential internship and job opportunities. They also help students become acquainted with their classmates while being exposed to the many facets of the engineering profession.

Organizations

Aerospace Science and Engineering

American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)

Professor Zhaodan Kong, Faculty Advisor

The AIAA is a professional society made up of people interested in the aeronautics and aerospace field. The group has regular meetings and informal gatherings to discuss recent events and topics of interest with professors, graduate students and representatives of industry and government.

Space and Satellite Systems (SSS) Club

Professor Steve Robinson, Co-Faculty Advisor

Professor Sanjay Joshi, Co-Faculty Advisor

Space and Satellite Systems (SSS) Club develops systems to be used in the space environment. The club emphasizes developing the skills and technical know-how necessary to design spacecraft. It focuses on technologies for smaller spacecraft and cube satellites and covers a wide range of research areas from controls and dynamics to sensors, electronics and software.

Mechanical Engineering

American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)

Assistant Professor Seongkyu Lee, Faculty Advisor

The ASME professional society student section advances and disseminates knowledge about mechanical engineering, presents a proper perspective on engineering work and promotes professional awareness and fellowship. The section has regular meetings to discuss ASME activities, invites guest speakers to discuss various engineering topics and current research and hosts UC Davis alumni to discuss their job prospects since graduation.

Society for Manufacturing Engineers (SME)

Associate Professor Barbara Linke, Faculty Advisor

This professional society provides a venue for students to network, listen to speakers from industry and tour manufacturing facilities in the Sacramento area.

 

Team Projects

Aerospace Science and Engineering

Aeronautical Design Team (aka “Aerobrick”) (Currently unavailable for the 2023-24AY)

Professor Nesrin Sarigul-Klijn, Faculty Advisor

On this team, students design, manufacture and flight test a fully composite, radio-controlled airplane. This year-long project allows students to get hands-on experience in structure and aeroelasticity, aerodynamics, stability and control, propulsion and performance.

Advanced Modeling and Aeronautics Team (AMAT)

Professor Steve Robinson, Co-Faculty Advisor

Professor Valeria La Saponara, Co-Faculty Advisor

E-mail: amatcaptains@gmail.com

The Advanced Modeling and Aeronautics Team (AMAT) explores the components and dynamics of airplanes by building RC airplanes from scratch every year. These RC airplanes compete in an annual SAE-sponsored competition against over 40 schools from all over the country. In 2014, AMAT placed first overall in the Aero Design West competition, the highest finish in UC Davis AMAT history.

Hyerloop Pod Team (One Loop)

Professor C.P. van Dam, Faculty Advisor

E-mail: ucdhyperloopteam@gmail.com

The Hyperloop Pod Team competes in SpaceX’s annual Hyperloop Pod Competition, where students are tasked with designing and building a half scale pod with the aim of racing it on SpaceX’s mile long track in Hawthorne CA, and in the bigger picture, helping to develop a new form of transportation.

Eclipse Rocketry

Professor Nesrin Sarigul-Klijn, Faculty Advisor

Email: rockets.ucdavis@gmail.com

Eclipse Rocketry members design, build and launch rockets on the field south of The Pavilion. They also have a long-term design project/competition using Hybrid L-motors with possible field trips to LUNAR in Livermore for high-powered launches.

Mechanical Engineering

Baja SAE

Professor Valeria La Saponara, Faculty Advisor

E-mail:  davisbajainformation@gmail.com

Baja SAE is a college-based team competition in which schools from all over the country compete against each other in off-road style racecars designed and built completely by students. Students provide cost and design reports to manage every aspect of building a competitive car.

Formula Racing

Assistant Professor Xinfan Lin, Faculty Advisor

E-mail: ucdformularacing@gmail.com

Formula Racing at UC Davis exposes team members to all the aspects required to build a competitive, fully electric racecar. The team finished in the top-20 overall category in the International Formula SAE Electric Competition in 2018.

Human Powered Vehicle (HPV)

Professor Michael Hill, Faculty Advisor

The Human Powered Vehicle (HPV) Team designs an aerodynamic and highly-engineered land vehicle. They participate in an annual national competition, which provides an excellent opportunity to apply classroom knowledge to real-world applications.

Solar Boat Team

Assistant Professor Alexander Forrest, Faculty Advisor

Email: ucdsolarboat@gmail.com

The Solar Boat Team brings engineering students of various fields together to apply engineering principles in designing, building and testing a solar-powered boat. The organization provides a hands-on opportunity for students to gain familiarity with computer-aided designs, fabrication and teamwork. By the end of the academic year, the team participates in the Sacramento Municipal Utility District’s (SMUD) Solar Regatta, where they compete with other colleges across the state.

Solar Car at UC Davis (aka “Solarri”)

Assistant Professor of Teaching Chris Nitta, Co-Faculty Advisor

The Solar Car at UC Davis Team is a non-profit student-run organization that designs, builds, tests and races road-legal solar vehicles. It provides hands-on opportunities for students to create complex systems, as well as become exposed to project management and real-world engineering. The goal is to compete in the American Solar Challenge/Formula Sun Grand Prix.