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Articles 1 - 8 of 8
Full-Text Articles in Mechanical Engineering
Design And Prototyping Of A Shape-Changing Rigid-Body Human Foot In Gait, Tanner N. Rolfe
Design And Prototyping Of A Shape-Changing Rigid-Body Human Foot In Gait, Tanner N. Rolfe
Honors Theses
Traditional ankle-foot prostheses often replicate the physiological change in shape of the foot during gait via compliant mechanisms. In comparison, rigid-body feet tend to be simplistic and largely incapable of accurately representing the geometry of the human foot. Multi-segment rigid-body devices offer certain advantages over compliant mechanisms which may be desirable in the design of ankle-foot devices, including the ability to withstand greater loading, the ability to achieve more drastic shape-change, and the ability to be synthesized from their kinematics, allowing for realistic functionality without prior accounting of the complex internal kinetics of the foot. This work focuses on applying …
Improving Electrochemical Devices Via Increased Charge Density And Ceramic Nanoparticles, George Padavick
Improving Electrochemical Devices Via Increased Charge Density And Ceramic Nanoparticles, George Padavick
Honors Theses
Challenges posed by climate change in conjunction with increasing global energy demand necessitate improved energy systems in both transportation and power delivery. These systems will require more advanced energy storage than current commercially available options. To enhance energy storage capabilities, supercapacitors were investigated to discover new mechanisms, materials, and fabrication techniques for developing electrochemical devices. In particular, methods for improving electrolyte performance were explored to enhance capacitance and conductivity. The results indicate that increasing charge density in the electrolyte via higher salt concentration or higher ionic charge of the solvated ions significantly increases capacitance. Specifically, a 0.1M solution of magnesium …
Design And Prototyping Of A Shape-Changing Rigid-Body Human Foot In Gait, Tanner N. Rolfe
Design And Prototyping Of A Shape-Changing Rigid-Body Human Foot In Gait, Tanner N. Rolfe
Honors Theses
Traditional ankle-foot prostheses often replicate the physiological change in shape of the foot during gait via compliant mechanisms. In comparison, rigid-body feet tend to be simplistic and largely incapable of accurately representing the geometry of the human foot. Multi-segment rigid-body devices offer certain advantages over compliant mechanisms which may be desirable in the design of ankle-foot devices, including the ability to withstand greater loading, the ability to achieve more drastic shape-change, and the ability to be synthesized from their kinematics, allowing for realistic functionality without prior accounting of the complex internal kinetics of the foot. This work focuses on applying …
Next Steps For Mentoring Program, Patrick Gray
Next Steps For Mentoring Program, Patrick Gray
Sustainability and Connectivity
This file provides a jump-off position for students in the fall 2017 semester who want to continue work toward a mentoring program.
Biomass Cookstoves: An Empirical Study Into The Relationship Between Thermal Efficiency And Tending Practices For The Developing World, Erin Peiffer
Honors Theses
More than 2 billion people in the world use biomass stoves for cooking and heating their homes. Due to incomplete combustion, toxic byproducts such as soot, nitrous oxides and carbon monoxide gasses form. These toxic substances contribute to pollution and can lead to serious health issues over time if inhaled leading to approximately 4 million premature deaths each year. The formation of these toxic substances can be mitigated, in part, through the introduction of increased turbulence intensity allowing for the so-called “well-stirred combustion regime”. Here we will be exploring the health, environmental, and social effects of biomass combustion in the …
Design Of An Opposed-Piston, Opposed-Stroke Diesel Engine For Use In Utility Aircraft, Luke Kozal
Design Of An Opposed-Piston, Opposed-Stroke Diesel Engine For Use In Utility Aircraft, Luke Kozal
Honors Theses
The objective of this thesis was to determine the feasibility of using an opposed-piston, opposed-stroke, diesel engine in utility aircraft. Utility aircraft are aircraft that have a maximal takeoff weight of 12,500lbs. These aircraft are often used for transportation of cargo and other goods. In order to handle that weight, many of the aircraft are powered by turboprop engines. Turboprop engines are a style of jet engine with power capabilities ranging from 500 to several thousand horsepower (hp). They are expensive engines, and in the case of the Piper Mirage, substituting the piston engine with a turboprop engine can increase …
Project Plan - Mentoring, Abigail Lisjak, Patrick Gray, Timothy Leonard, Adam Foster
Project Plan - Mentoring, Abigail Lisjak, Patrick Gray, Timothy Leonard, Adam Foster
Sustainability and Connectivity
A presentation that includes the ideal goal for the project as well as how the project can relate to the other projects in the class.
Mentoring Initial Research, Abigail Lisjak, Tim Leonard, Adam Foster, Patrick Gray
Mentoring Initial Research, Abigail Lisjak, Tim Leonard, Adam Foster, Patrick Gray
Sustainability and Connectivity
This document details the initial research the group gathered as the problem statement was being refined. Some of this research will be used to inform future elements of the project.