2026 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

This Work-in-Progress paper describes an ongoing interdisciplinary capstone initiative that integrates systems engineering (SE) principles into a research program within materials science and engineering context. The project engages undergraduate students in the design and development of a system capable of producing additively manufactured solid metal and ceramic components directly from powder precursors. The initiative reflects three key priorities in systems engineering education: (1) collaboration between SE non-SE disciplines in a single project (2) incorporation of authentic, real-world SE challenges into the curriculum, and (3) establishment of interdisciplinary capstone experiences that apply SE processes and lifecycle management principles.

The project requires students to integrate mechanical, electrical, and computer subsystems into a functional whole while maintaining system operability for faculty research use. Unique challenges include ensuring continuity of progress across successive cohorts of capstone teams—each with different membership—and balancing iterative design improvement with system reliability. Oversight is provided jointly by a systems engineering instructor and a faculty mentor with expertise in materials science and mechanical engineering, fostering authentic collaboration and knowledge transfer across domains.

This paper discusses strategies for embedding SE concepts in multidisciplinary environments, methods for maintaining design continuity across semesters, and initial observations regarding student learning and team management. Findings to date suggest that sustained interdisciplinary collaboration can effectively bridge theoretical SE principles and practical system development within an academic setting.