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University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Faculty Publications
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More Carrot Than Stick: Encouraging Computer Programming In Thermal Design Projects, Kevin D. Cole
More Carrot Than Stick: Encouraging Computer Programming In Thermal Design Projects, Kevin D. Cole
Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Faculty Publications
Students will do almost anything to avoid using thermal-property tables. In this paper, Matlab-based thermal-property software is described as an enticement for students to do computer programming in the design of thermal systems. Downloaded shareware was used for steam properties in a steam-cycle project, and an air-property package was developed for use with a gas-turbine project. Although the use of computer programming required considerable effort by both instructor and students, most students did gain a better appreciation of the utility of writing computer programs as part of engineering design. Student evaluations of the course were not significantly affected compared to …