Mechanical Engineering Commons^™

Reverse Osmosis; Addressing Freshwater Shortage With Sustainable Desalination, Jessica Savage

Sustainability Conference

Water security is an imperative part of high-functioning societies. Currently, large populations of the globe live in water-impoverished or water-stressed areas. With climate change and growing global populations, projections show more people being impacted by issues of water shortage.

One solution to water security is the implementation of desalination, specifically with reverse osmosis systems. This presentation walks through the history, capabilities, future work, and explanations on how reverse osmosis systems work. With continued research on improving desalination, communities in both developed and developing nations around the world can work towards total water security.

Performance Analysis Of An Exhaust Heat Recovery System Utilizing Heat Pipes, Metal Foam, And Thermoelectric Generators, Michael Resciniti

Scholar Week 2016 - present

This paper highlights a new type of modified heat pipe assisted thermoelectric generator system for automobile exhaust waste heat recovery. This system employs the use of metal foam as a heat transfer aid to increase the thermal energy transferred through the system. In this system, heat pipes are inserted into a metal foam block that is exposed to the exhaust gas stream. The metal foam increases heat transfer in a similar way that fins increase heat transfer. To confirm that this system provides a greater conversion of thermal energy, an experimental prototype was built and tested. Tests were conducted with …

Solar Energy R & D Project: Teachers Incorporating Stem- Modules To Yield An Energy Literate Generation, Tricia Kirkland, Lindsay Snowden

ENERGY Research and Lesson Plans

Background- Photovoltaic (PV) cells produce the largest amount of electricity when they are directly facing the sun. Solar panels that use tracking systems to position the panel to constantly face the sun have the greatest efficiency. But, these systems are expensive.

Aim- Design a dual axis tracking solar panel with microcontroller and sensors (light, humidity, temperature, and compass) that are both cost effective and efficient. Sensors will be used to determine performance depending on environmental factors.

Ethics Statement: Researchers will keep honest, clear, and accurate records when collecting all data in lab and communication of information learned.