Mechanical engineering student places at international engineering conference

DUNMORE, Pa. — Penn State Scranton fourth-year mechanical engineering student Grant Lewis earned third place for presenting his undergraduate research at the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) International Mechanical Engineering Congress & Exposition (IMECE) in Memphis, Tennessee, this fall.

“This year’s event was one of the most competitive we have ever seen, with exceptionally strong posters across all categories and multiple ties that highlight how close the evaluations were. The judges noted the high level of professionalism, clarity, and technical depth presented by each team,” wrote Sevki Cesmeci and Hasan Al Babaa in an email congratulating Lewis and the other award recipients. Cesmeci and Al Babaa chaired the ASME International Undergraduate Research and Design Expo for the conference. 

Lewis, who expects to graduate in spring 2026, represented Penn State Scranton individually at the ASME International Undergraduate Research and Design Expo, showcasing his project titled "Accuracy Validation of a Consumer-Grade Structured-Light 3D Scanner."

“My research focuses on evaluating the performance of a consumer-grade 3D scanner in a real-world automotive engineering application,” Lewis said. “The goal was to determine if an affordable scanner could be used for complex reverse engineering scenarios with a high demand for perfect alignment in suspension and drivetrain applications.”

The scanner was tested in workshop conditions as part of Lewis’s ongoing restomod — or blending classic car aesthetics with new modern features to make a restored vehicle drivable — project, which integrates modern 2022 Dodge Challenger components into a 1984 Dodge D150 truck. His study included quantitative accuracy testing, physical verification through 3D-printed calibration brackets and manual measurement.

“I hope this research highlights how accessible and productively helpful 3D scanning technology has become,” he said. “I was able to achieve sufficient accuracy in operation with the consumer-grade scanner to be used in any automotive reverse engineering application like this.”

Lewis credited Penn State Scranton Associate Professor of Engineering Farhang Daneshmand for inspiring his research journey.

“Dr. Daneshmand helped push me to turn my curiosity into formal research,” Lewis said. “He mentored me throughout the process and helped connect the dots between theoretical coursework to real-world situations like this.”

Daneshmand also encouraged Lewis to apply to the Multi-Campus Research Experience for Undergraduates (MC-REU) program, which provided funding and support for his summer research. Lewis was later honored with the “Researcher’s Choice Award” for top faculty evaluations.

Beyond research, Lewis serves as vice president of the campus' Engineering Club, where he organizes events, mentors underclassmen and coordinates industry tours. He will also represent the campus at the ASME e-HPVC competition in spring 2026.

Lewis said he was “incredibly proud and happy” when he received the acceptance notice from ASME. 

“It was a validation that my undergraduate research is important enough to present at an international conference alongside other professional engineering projects,” he said. “It also reinforced my belief that hands-on experimentation and digital technologies are going to be shaping the next generation of mechanical engineers.”

Penn State Scranton is one of only five Penn State Commonwealth Campuses which offers the mechanical engineering major. The Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering provides students with the necessary training and education to become technical leaders in various industrial, commercial, consulting, and governmental organizations.