The College of Engineering’s Meloy Engineering Innovation and Entrepreneurship Program and the United States Army’s III Armored Corps collaborated for an Intensive Design Experience training event, aiming to unlock the process of innovation and enhance problem-solving skills.
Known as Phantom Invent, the 48-hour competition brought together 30 soldiers and 30 students to solve some of the U.S. military’s most pressing problems. The event concluded with first, second, and two different third-place winning teams receiving $5,000, $2,500, and $1,500, respectively.
“It was great being able to work alongside students, especially coming from the military,” said Captain Schade, mentor for the first-place winning team. “Having our background, thoughts, processes, and knowledge, mixing it with their lively, younger, and more educated processes was a beneficial mesh.”
The prototype of the first-place team, RF Times, was a portable radio with an extended lifespan, designed to reach greater lengths for soldiers on the battlefield. The team consisted of first-year engineering student Pratha Gupta, aerospace engineering student Marco Peredo, First Lieutenant Tyson, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Capers, and Chief Warrant Officer 2 McCamey.
“For our prototype, we researched this problem and found several solutions available on the market, but none of them were packaged together or sold to solve it from multiple angles,” said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Capers. “So we developed the prototype’s model, the size, the nature of the product, and wanted to demonstrate it in a way applicable for dismounted soldiers working in a combat environment. We wanted to ensure that all of the pieces we were producing were easily transportable for them, and they weren’t going to bog them down, so they would stay mobile and agile.”
Team Triple Delta, mentored by Staff Sergeant Blackwelder, secured second place with their portable antenna extender. Members of the team include Major Gaines, Staff Sergeant Simmons, industrial engineering student Zane Gibbons, and mechanical engineering student David Thomas.
“The experience was great, and the learning atmosphere was excellent,” said Major Gaines. “The team here that supported us all had great attitudes and were very helpful. I thought the event as a whole was well put together and such a great time.”
Team Killian, mentored by Major Killian, crafted a Kevlar poncho prototype with heat-resistant para-aramid synthetic fiber to protect soldiers from fires. It earned a third-place prize. Team members include Sergeant Murjuia, Sergeant Young, Lieutenant Peckman, Sergeant First Class Clark, mechanical engineering student Cord Baxter, and mechanical engineering student Landry Graves.
“I am an Aggie, class of 2021,” said Lieutenant Peckman. “It was really cool to get to come back to Texas A&M and work with two institutions that I love.”
Another third-place winner, Team Fletching, created a prototype for long-term power sources for Integrated Tactical Networks.
Aerospace engineering student Pierre Charbonnet and mechanical engineering student Siva Sankar Ambati from Team Chameleon received recognition for best teamwork. Their prototype aimed to reduce thermal imaging and drone targeting using radar systems.
“I got to learn quite a lot about how the military works and communicates and just how complex everything is,” said Thomas of Team Triple Delta. “I have a new appreciation for everything because of the event.”