Teams of Florida Polytechnic University seniors present their industry-sponsored capstone projects during the 2025 Capstone Showcase on Wednesday, April 23 at the Barnett Applied Research Center.
With models, displays and polished presentations at the ready, 45 teams of Florida Polytechnic University students showed off their high-tech industry-sponsored projects at the University’s seventh annual Capstone Design Showcase on Wednesday, April 23.
The event was the largest in Florida Poly’s history, not counting five additional projects that were completed in December.
“Capstone at Florida Poly is something truly special,” said Dr. Matt Bohm, director of industry engagement and capstone projects. “Nowhere else do students get this level of immersive, industry-driven experience that directly prepares them for their careers.”
Among the projects presented, a team of electrical, environmental and mechanical engineering students showcased an innovative hydropower-based solution for recovering lost energy. Their method captures energy lost when treated water is pumped from a wastewater facility to the Se7en Wetlands area in Lakeland, Florida.
“The experience has been eye-opening,” said environmental engineering major Mara Wallace. “With my major, I do a lot of work with water testing and water quality, so seeing the mechanical and electrical aspects and being able to have that collaboration was great. I think we did pretty darn well.”
Lakeland Electric sponsored that exploratory project and two others.
“It has been absolutely fantastic. We saw this as an iterative process, stepping through the development of a recoverable hydropower system over the course of three or four teams and three or four project years,” said Mike Dammer, manager of emerging technology at Lakeland Electric. “This team stepped forward and has given me an almost ready-to-bid project – something well beyond expectations.”
Dammer said the sponsorship experience was so positive that the utility is sure to participate again.
“This was a good opportunity for us to try something new, at reasonable cost to the city, and the benefits are incredible,” he said.
Across the Barnett Applied Center’s atrium, a computer science team demonstrated its arrest warrant recognition project, sponsored by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. It helps deputies quickly determine whether a person has an open warrant by using a wearable camera to quickly compare an image of a person’s face with a database of photos of people with warrants.
If a match is found, the deputy receives that person’s warrant image and information, and must visually confirm a match by comparing it to the person in front of them.
“This is a tool to extend their recognition and is not meant to initiate an arrest on the spot,” said computer science major Ryan McDonald. “This has been a fun project. We have all the deliverables, so we think the sponsor will be happy.”
Every student is required to complete a capstone project before they graduate, affording this year’s showcase a wide variety of sponsors and disciplines.
“What’s interesting about Florida Poly is that connection we make between academia and industry,” said Dr. Brad Thiessen, provost and vice president of academic affairs. “We bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world experience, and I’m pleased to see the work of students who are not just preparing for the future, they’re actively shaping it.”
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