Engineering Commons^™

Lightweight Racing Suspension, Colin Haynes

Honors Theses

The purpose of this senior design project is to design and optimize the new suspension system for Western Michigan University’s 2020 solar car. The current solar car was 43% heavier than the average solar car, and was the heaviest single occupant vehicle competing in the American Solar Challenge. The scope of the project is to reduce the weight as much as possible from the old 2016 suspension. The new suspension weighed 34.91 lbs less than the 2016 suspension system while maintaining a minimum factor of safety greater than 1.5, compliant with American Solar Challenge regulations. The design consists of a …

Autonomous Vehicle Interior Design, Nathaniel Torchalski

Honors Theses

As technology in the automotive industry advances and self-driving vehicles become more commercially available, design concepts for their interiors must also be developed. Research was conducted on automotive design and autonomous technology, drawing inspiration from production and concept vehicles of the past, present, and future. A survey was conducted to gauge possible consumer needs. Hand sketches, small-scale models, and a Computer-Aided Design (CAD) model was produced. A full-size model was developed using various material-forming processes, including 3D printing, woodworking, clay sculpting, and metal machining. The interior was designed with consideration for safety, comfort, and technological advancements to satisfy the needs …

Methodology Of Topology Optimization, Naziha Khandoker

Honors Theses

The need for lighter products is becoming increasingly essential as it cuts material cost and significant amount of weight, which is a key factor in the automotive and aerospace industries. Topology optimization allows us to achieve that by applying the concept to different structures with the goal of optimal distribution of material within finite volume design domain. Its algorithms selectively remove and relocate elements to achieve the optimum performance. This project performs a study on the effect of each design parameter over mechanical performance using Finite Element Analysis and applies it to set of wing attachment brackets. The optimized brackets …

Autonomous Vehicle Interior Design, Luis Vargas

Honors Theses

As technology in the automotive industry advances and self-driving vehicles become more commercially available, design concepts for their interiors must also be developed. Research was conducted on automotive design and autonomous technology, drawing inspiration from production and concept vehicles of the past, present, and future. A survey was conducted to gauge possible consumer needs. Hand sketches, small-scale models, and a Computer-Aided Design (CAD) model was produced. A full-size model was developed using various material-forming processes, including 3D printing, woodworking, clay sculpting, and metal machining. The interior was designed with consideration for safety, comfort, and technological advancements to satisfy the needs …

Review Of Naturally Occurring Ammonia In Groundwater And Its Effect On Using Chloramines For Drinking Water Disinfection In Louisiana, Athena Lindsay

Honors Theses

No abstract provided.

The Ability Of Β-Hairpin Peptides To Function As Degradation-Resistant, Cell-Penetrating Peptides And Their Potential As Proteolysis Targeted Chimeras, Jeffery C. Anderson

Honors Theses

No abstract provided.

Syrup Process Optimization, Anelis Susana Chiluisa Calvache

Honors Theses

The purpose of this project involves the optimization of a marshmallow syrup process, sponsored by the owners of the line, the Kellogg Company was the sponsor. This report shows the work that was done for the period of three months, and covers the objective of the project, as well as the problem statement. The Kellogg Company currently produces a Syrup as an ingredient in the production of several cereal bars. The process is divided in four sections: Gelling Mix Tank, Syrup Mix Tank, Syrup Cool Tank and Syrup Use Tank. The entire process itself takes around 80 to 120 minutes …

Structural Health Monitoring Of Composite Parts: A Review, Jacob Pessin

Honors Theses

Structural health monitoring has the potential to allow composite structures to be more reliable and safer, then by using more traditional damage assessment techniques. Structural health monitoring (SHM) utilizes individual sensor units that are placed throughout the load bearing sections of a structure and gather data that is used for stress analysis and damage detection. Statistical time based algorithms are used to analyze collected data and determine both damage size and probable location from within the structure. While traditional calculations and life span analysis can be done for structures made of isotropic materials such as steel or other metals, composites …

Design Of Natural Composite I-Beam For Sampe 2019, Brian Harkness

Honors Theses

In recent years, the demand for high performance, lightweight, fiber-reinforced composites have grown substantially. Fiberglass and carbon fiber have exemplary material properties that meet the demand and have set the industry standard for performance materials. Although these materials meet their design function, they suffer from high environmental impacts throughout their life cycle and are not cost effective to produce. Flax fiber composites have comparable properties to fiberglass but can be produced more efficiently and production requires much less energy consumption. Flax is a readily available, renewable material that will easily biodegrade once it is the end of its useful life …

Thermoplastic Composite Heat Recovery Ventilator, Keegan Guinn

Honors Theses

Heat recovery ventilation continues to increase in importance as building codes mandate reduced air infiltration and increased energy efficiency. Heat recovery ventilators are able to reduce building heating and cooling loads by transferring heat between the exiting air and incoming ventilation air. In the role of heat recovery ventilation, additively manufactured polymer composite heat recovery ventilators offer significant advantages over traditionally manufactured metallic alloy heat recovery ventilators. Through the implementation of additive manufacturing, the internal geometry of the heat recovery ventilator can be optimized to decrease the head loss across the system and features to improve heat transfer such as …

Applying An Innovative Idea To Kidney Stone Removal, Jack Beaty

Honors Theses

Renal lithiasis, commonly referred to as “kidney stones” is a condition in which the urine composition crystallizes and cannot pass through the ureter, causing pain and discomfort. Renal lithiasis can be caused by diet, infection, reduced water retention, or hereditary disorders; each of which results in a distinct stone composition [1]. Stone compositions can vary between calcium oxalate, struvite, uric acid, and cystine[2]. Each stone type, however, provides the same pain to the patient and the same potential risk of blocking the urinary system.

Kidney stone symptoms may include but are not limited to: pain in the lower back, the …

The Theia Soteria: Alternative Design For Safer Initial Entry During Laparoscopic Procedures, Kayla Dubois, Patrick Ryan, Madelyn Joanis

Honors Theses

Laparoscopic procedures account for 15 million surgeries worldwide [1], with the initial entry into the peritoneal cavity accounting for 33-50% of all major laparoscopic complications [7]. This initial entry is the most dangerous as surgeons must enter the cavity using a sharp object with no visibility and space between the outer surface of the cavity and internal tissues. During the initial entry into the peritoneal cavity, the patients undergoing laparoscopic procedures are at a high risk for damage to internal organs and vasculature, necessitating the development of a device to protect these internal tissues and increase patient safety.

Exploring The Behavior Repertoire Of A Wireless Vibrationally Actuated Tensegrity Robot, Zongliang Ji

Honors Theses

Soft robotics is an emerging field of research due to its potential to explore and operate in unstructured, rugged, and dynamic environments. However, the properties that make soft robots compelling also make them difficult to robustly control. Here at Union, we developed the world’s first wireless soft tensegrity robot. The goal of my thesis is to explore effective and efficient methods to explore the diverse behavior our tensegrity robot. We will achieve that by applying state-of-art machine learning technique and a novelty search algorithm.

Designing A Low-Cost Ultrasound Pulser, Andrea Huey

Honors Theses

Ultrasound imaging allows for those studying living beings to see inside a subject without causing it harm. This allows for real-time images to be taken, leading to ease of observational research. However, while this technology is beneficial to those who utilize it, the devices used to create and receive ultrasound pulses can be incredibly complex, allowing for precise adjustment of the output signal and various other functions, and therefore expensive. The focus of this senior project is the design of a low-cost pulser for use with an ultrasound transducer. While it does not have all the high-level functions of the …

The Critical Difference Seismic Design Can Make For A Reinforced Concrete Building Located In Oxford, Mississippi, Naim Daghmash

Honors Theses

The Senior Design course at the University of Mississippi requires the completion of a capstone project. One part of the capstone project is a complete structural design of the NOLA, an ongoing construction in the city of Oxford in Mississippi. The course requires the NOLA to be designed according to gravity loads, meaning the forces act in the downward direction towards the earth’s surface. Some loading mechanisms that could occur in a different direction than gravity are seismic loads, which are earthquake-generated loads. I was not required by my instructors to consider the effect of an earthquake on the structural …

A Modular Data Acquisition Device And Biosignal Amplifier Design, Erin Bratu

Honors Theses

The purpose of this research project is to revise a previous design of a modular data collection device and to develop a biosignal amplifier for use in EEG research. The primary goals of the device redesign were to address the challenges identified at the conclusion of the previous research and to either reaffirm or update various aspects of the implementation – primarily the main components that make up the device. The amplifier circuitry is designed to provide both amplification of the input signals and preliminary filtering of undesirable noise artifacts caused by common environmental sources. Both the collection device and …

Equivalent Annual Operating Cost Of Reactors In A Discrete Optimized Styrene Process, S Arizona Morgan-Harris

Honors Theses

Beginning in the fall semester, I was a member of a team that simulated and optimized a styrene production process in Microsoft Excel. After the base case was simulated, parametric and topological optimizations were completed. The optimizations had to be completed in a certain order that starts with the reactor section, then move to the separation section, heat recovery section, heating/cooling utilities section, and ends with the water and effluent treatment section. During this project, the first three sections were explored. Optimizing the base case was completed by making these changes to see how they increased the net present value …

The Analysis Of Erlanger Hospital’S Suture Inventory Management Operations, Amanda George

Honors Theses

This paper evaluates the impact of using mechanical engineering and operations management principles to an inventory management system in Erlanger Hospital. Erlanger Hospital is a local, nonprofit hospital system in Chattanooga. Erlanger serves as a tertiary referral hospital and a Level I Trauma Center in the region. Therefore, they are heavily depended on during times of crisis or emergency [2]. This study focuses specifically on reducing the loss and ultimate waste of sutures across Erlanger’s surgery wing. A criteria for the appraisal of using mechanical and manufacturing engineering to improve the current system is established based on existing data regarding …

The 3d Scaffold Design Of De Novo Anterior Cruciate Ligament Graft, Dominique Angibeau

Honors Theses

No abstract provided.

Methods Utilizing The Phenomena Of Light Scattering To Measure Microscopic Aluminum Oxide Particle Size In Both Solution And Turbulent Air Flow, Lawrence Edward Deese

Honors Theses

Lawrence Deese: Methods Utilizing the Phenomena of Light Scattering to Measure Microscopic Aluminum Oxide Particle Size in Both Solution and Turbulent Air Flow The purpose of this research project was to measure microscopic aluminum oxide (alumina) particle size both in solution and in air flow. Experimentally, the process of sizing microscopic particles is technically challenging. Two methods were used for measuring the sizes of 4 different manufacturer labeled aluminum oxide particles sizes. The first method was using Dynamic Light Scattering analyzed by a LS Spectrometer to measure the alumina particle size while suspended in solution. The second method was using …

The Chevron Bunionectomy For Moderate To Severe Deformity: Effects Of Varying Procedural Factors In Hallux Valgus Correction, Hunter Reed Harrison

Honors Theses

With growing popularity of minimally invasive surgery, the Chevron bunionectomy has been investigated for use in moderate to severe hallux valgus. This study investigates procedural components of lateral release, fixation, and 2nd digit procedures to evaluate effects on outcome. 109 out of 325 patients of a distal Chevron osteotomy with a minimum preoperative IMA of 15° completed the phone survey rating satisfaction and pain levels. Patients were contacted an average of 5.2 years postoperatively. 83% of patients reported being extremely to very satisfied with their outcome. Only 9 patients complained of current foot pain greater than or equal to 5 …

Automated Greenhouse Watering System For Schenectady Arc, Lisa Gu

Honors Theses

All people need to feel useful and able to perform productive jobs. Since 1952, the ARC has strived to provide people with developmental disabilities the resources, services, and support that enable them to advocate and participate within their communities. One way in which the ARC accomplishes this mission is by encouraging people with disabilities to develop skills and hobbies that give them independence and purpose. An integral part of their center is the greenhouse. Individuals at the Maple Ridge Center are responsible for operating the water system to irrigate the plot daily and ensuring that the proper amount of water …

Ar Blockers, Emma Merlino, Charles Nelson, Brendan Laing

Honors Theses

Access Recirculation (AR) severely decreases the efficiency of dialysis while having the potential to lead to a variety of complications (Fig. 3). If recirculation occurs during treatment, the patient may be at risk of developing stenosis (narrowing of blood vessels), leading to thrombosis (the local coagulation/clotting of blood) [4]. The most influential cause of recirculation results from the misplacement of the arterial and venous needles that will significantly harm the patient, wasting both money and resources. It is clear that the medical community has focused their energy on developing a proactive approach to monitoring AR, instead of preventing it. Creating …

Design Of A Model Rocket Flight Logging System And In-Air Deployable Rover, Sirus Negahban

Honors Theses

The goal of the project laid out in this paper is to develop a model rocket range and altitude tracking system and a payload for said rocket which conducts an experiment of some scientific merit. The requirements for the project are defined by the rules of an international model rocket design and build competition for undergraduate and graduate students. This paper presents a design to accomplish the specified goals to the standards of the competition rule set, for use by the Union College Rocket Team at the competition. First, an off-the-shelf flight computer is purchased to implement the range and …

Gesture-Controlled Quadcopter System, Wenhao Yang, Anthony Xu, Kendra Crawford

Honors Theses

According to the statistic given by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, 514 police officers casualties have been attributed to gunfire in the last decade(2008-2017). It is the leading cause of death among police officers and accounts for more than a third of the total 1511 police casualties in the past decade. In this project, we want to provide a safer solution to police officers that are surveying a building for one or multiple potential dangerous personnel. We are working to design and build a gesture-controlled quadcopter that can scout ahead of the officer and provide information about the …

Improved Data Acquisition Using A Novel Dynamic Mechanical Analysis Sample Preparation Technique: The Numbers Do Not Lie, Jordan J. Winetrout

Honors Theses

Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) is a technique commonly used to identify the thermomechanical properties of polymeric materials. In the aerospace industry, a typical DMA sample is a glassy epoxy-amine polymer network. On a laboratory scale, these types of materials are cured in a silicon mold and sanded by hand to yield a sample with testable dimensions. This preparation technique is time consuming and causes sample imperfections which negatively affects data acquisition. This thesis aims to absolve the issues with DMA sample preparation by using a custom vacuum housing and a DeWALT^TM brand orbital sander. This novel approach has been …

Design Process Of A Novel Dynamic Mechanical Analysis Sample Preparation Methodology, Julian M. Richardson

Honors Theses

The technique of dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) has been a frontrunner in the field of polymer science for decades. It’s used as a tool for characterization has been integral in mankind’s understanding of the properties of polymeric materials. The procedure for obtaining data using DMA is widespread and standardized, however the procedure for preparing the samples is a list of dimensions and tolerances with no mention of how to obtain said dimensions. Every research group using DMA is left to their own devices to prepare samples. This discontinuity can create the problem of nonuniform results across the scientific community. This …

Analysis And Proposed Improvement Of Hamilton County Vw Elab Equipment, Hiroshi Yanagida

Honors Theses

Digital fabrication laboratories have revolutionized project based learning within K-12 STEAM education curriculum. However, classroom utilization of the labs often requires excessive machine hours to accomplish, and this often leads to rapid machine depreciation and disrepair. Many educators do not have the time to repair their equipment while developing curriculum and engaging with their students. This study focuses on building a repair history for common digital fabrication equipment, which includes Prusa i3 Mk2S FDM 3D printers, laser cutters, and CNC routers. Data were collected over a 6 month period to find which machines encountered the most issues. The 3D printers …

The Effect Of Soil Saturation On The Heat Transfer Rate In A Controlled Environment For Application To Ground Source Heat Pumps, William Barnard

Honors Theses

With the worldwide push for environmentally friendly technology, the topic of geothermal systems has only become more important. Ground Source Heat Pumps (GSHPs) are heat pumps that take advantage of the natural temperature difference between the soil and the air to decrease the amount of power necessary to heat an area. A GSHP has been shown to be capable of increasing efficiency by 3 or 4 times the amount of a conventional heating and cooling system [4]. To take advantage of the full capabilities of a GSHP, one needs to understand what factors can increase or decrease efficiency. While research …

Computational Simulation Of The Paw-04 Nozzle Configuration, Juan Hernandez

Honors Theses

The research was based on the 4th Propulsion Aerodynamics Workshop which was organized by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Air Breathing Propulsion System Integration Technical Committee and its objective was to assess the accuracy and numerical prediction capabilities of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). It focused on the work of Behrouzi and McGuirk where they tested two different nozzle configurations under set boundary conditions. The nozzle configurations included a high aspect ratio rectangular nozzle with a clean exit and the same nozzle with an aft-deck attached to the exit. Three different unstructured grids were generated for the clean …