Mechanical Engineering Commons^™

Momentum Theory With Slipstream Rotation Applied To Wind Turbines, Doug F. Hunsaker, W. F. Phillips

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Publications

A momentum theory which includes the effects of slipstream rotation for wind turbines is presented. The theory accounts for the axial and radial pressure gradients within the slipstream as well as the wake expansion caused by wake rotation. Because of the limiting approximations of previous methods, the effects of slipstream rotation have not been accurately realized. The method included here, which does not suffer from the unrealistic approximations of previous methods, predicts that the effects of slipstream rotation are manifest entirely through an increase in the turbine thrust coefficient. The method predicts, as previous methods do, that the Lanchester-Betz-Joukowski limit …

Decomposed Lifting-Line Predictions And Optimization For Propulsive Efficiency Of Flapping Wings, W. F. Phillips, R. A. Miller, Doug F. Hunsaker

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Publications

A decomposed Fourier series solution to Prandtl's classical lifting-line theory is used to predict the lift, induced-thrust, and power coefficients developed by a flapping wing. A significant advantage of this quasi-steady analytical solution over commonly used numerical methods is the utility provided for optimizing wing flapping cycles. The analytical solution involves five time-dependent functions that could all be optimized to maximize thrust, propulsive efficiency, and/or other performance measures. Results show that by optimizing only two of these five functions, propulsive efficiencies exceeding 97% can be obtained. Results are presented for untwisted rectangular wings in pure plunging, rectangular wings with linear …

Spinning Objects In A Shallow Bath: Eggs In Milk, Kenneth Langley, Dr. Tadd Truscott

Journal of Undergraduate Research

If an egg spinning on a counter-top passes through a shallow pool of milk, a thin film of milk will be drawn up the sides of the egg and sprayed on the counter-top. This phenomenon is not limited to eggs or milk. In fact, when any axis-symmetric object is spun in a shallow bath of fluid, this phenomenon occurs in which fluid flows up the object and is then ejected at the maximum radius. This phenomenon lends itself well as a pump for moving fluids from very shallow areas to other regions and can even be used to make droplets …

Combustion-Driven Water Heating In Huatta, Peru: A Solution For Third-World Countries, Brandon Decker, Dr. Matt Jones

Journal of Undergraduate Research

This group aimed to construct a system that heated water to at least 38°C (100 OF) – warm enough for bathing, dish washing, and washing hands. Our goal was to create a system inexpensive and simple enough for implementation in Huatta, Peru. We also aimed to make the system sustainable and replicable.

Forked Shaped Rebound Droplet For Impingement On Anisotropic Superhydrophobic Surfaces, David Bilodeau, Dr. Daniel Maynes

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Many metals rust when exposed to moisture and that rusting can cause the item that is made of that metal to break down. A superhydrophobic surface can repel liquids and keep metals from rusting longer. Superhydrophobic surfaces have existed in nature for a long time but are just beginning to be understood and manufactured for societal applications. They are manufactured by micro-texturing a surface that is either made from specific materials or is coated with a different material after the micro-texturing (see Figure 1). Both the material and the micro-geometry are important parameters in the surface‟s ability to repel liquids. …

An Improved Estimation Of Passive Wrist Stiffness Using Various Techniques, Will Drake, Dr. Steven Charles

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The wrist plays a vital yet frequently overlooked role in positioning and supporting the hand during activities of daily living. Particularly during low-level activities (such as typing), passive joint stiffness dominates wrist dynamics and constitutes the main obstacle to motion. In spite of its importance, however, little consensus exists as to the exact range of passive wrist stiffness. Reported values vary from as little as 0.002 Nm/rad (Lehman & Calhoun, 1991) to as many as 9.0 Nm/rad (Crisco et al, 2010), a span of three orders of magnitude! The purpose of this research is to determine an approximate single-order-of-magnitude range …

Stand-Alone Lance For Nanoinjection Of Dna, Mark Fernelius, Dr. Larry Howell

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Technologies for injecting DNA into egg cells have greatly facilitated genetic research. Microinjection is a current standard for this purpose. It uses a hollow glass needle to inject a solution containing DNA into cells. Although widely used, microinjection has several significant challenges. First, the DNA can be damaged when forced through the small opening of the needle. Second, the cell can die from the physical trauma caused by the microinjection needle piercing the cell membrane. Third, the cell can split open because of the increased internal pressure caused by injecting fluid into the cell. Brigham Young University has developed nanoinjection …

Mechanical Engineering News, Georgia Southern University

Mechanical Engineering: News & Publications (2013-2023)

• ME Students Win EPA National Competition

• Dr. Soloiu awarded $360,000 National Science Foundation Grant

Project Based Learning In Engineering Economics: Teaching Advanced Topics Using A Stock Price Prediction Model, Lizabeth Schlemer

Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

A graduate level advanced engineering economics class taught at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, includes a thorough review of time value of money, investment evaluation, inflation, risk and return, financing decisions, corporate investment strategies, risk analysis and decisions incorporating non-monetary considerations. Historically this course was taught using an advanced text where the topics were covered sequentially. A redesign of the course now includes the construction of a stock price prediction model for a company of the student’s choice. Through the model, the topics are covered and discussed in the context of the large model-building project. For instance, inflation …

Quantitative Assessment Of Program Outcomes Using Longitudinal Data From The Fe Exam, Joe C. Guarino, James R. Ferguson, V. Krishna C. Pakala

Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

There have been many studies providing details on using results from the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam as metrics for meeting ABET program outcomes¹. However, implementing an FE-based set of metrics poses challenges not limited to assessing validity of results. Programs using FE-based metrics must also determine the position of the metrics in the overall assessment process. We present a method for using FE-based metrics as an integral part of the ABET program assessment process. The principle issues we address are: (1) The validity of using FE metrics for a group of graduating students when not all of …

Incorporating Active Learning Into A Thermal System Publications Lecture, Jennifer M. Peuker, Steffen Peuker

Mechanical Engineering

Many mechanical engineering departments offer a thermal system design (or similar) course for senior students. Some courses have a laboratory component, but many are a lecture only format. This paper demonstrates how active learning—through virtual labs, a semester long project, and in-class assignments—was incorporated into the lecture portion of a thermal system design course to enhance learning and provide the students a laboratory experience without a physical laboratory. These active learning ideas can also supplement the learning during lecture for those courses which have a designated laboratory time. Anecdotal evidence of the activities indicates that students were engaged and enjoyed …

Effect Of Multiple Choice Testing On Student Performance In An Introductory Engineering Course, Jennifer M. Peuker, Jennifer Mcferran Brock, Steffen Peuker

Mechanical Engineering

This study aims to compare student performance on introductory engineering statics material by comparing the exam scores of students who are given both multiple choice (MC) questions and constructed response (CR) questions to see whether the type of exam question makes a difference in student performance and understanding. Seventy-five students in an introductory engineering course did either a MC version or a CR version of each statics problem, resulting in MC answers and a control group of CR answers to each statics problem. The students were also polled for feedback regarding their preferences of test question format at the end …

Student Industry Cooperation For The Development Of Thermal System Design Teaching Laboratory Equipment, Steffen Peuker

Mechanical Engineering

In higher education, hands-on undergraduate education using state-of-the-art laboratory equipment is important to meet the quality standards expected in the engineering profession. However, the development of modern engineering laboratories is not only time consuming, but also budget constraints can hamper the development of needed laboratories for instructional purposes as Bidana and Billo state: "Development of state-of-the-art engineering laboratories is becoming an increasing problem in the University environment. Due to the greater variety and increased complexity of much state-of-the-art hardware and software, the cost and cycle time for development and startup of a modern engineering laboratory can be excessive. This, together …

Measuring The Impact Of Internships On Design Using A Materials Activity, Craig Johnson, Charles O. Pringle, Nathan Davis

Engineering Technologies, Safety, and Construction Faculty Scholarship

Our research question focused on how previous student experience, like a job internship, affects an ability to demonstrate engineering design skills. Principal student experience focused on prior industrial experience (e.g. internships), but also included annual project participation (e.g. ASME Design Challenge Teams). The scope of this effort included the creation and application of a design activity, resulting in documents that were evaluated with a metric. The activity focused on the effect of material selection and analysis with regard to ‘design performance’. Creating these activities, and using them to assess design skills is the novel aspect of this effort. Two classes …

Reliability-Based Design Optimization Of Concrete Flexural Members Reinforced With Ductile Frp Bars, Bashar Behnam, Christopher D. Eamon

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research Publications

In recent years, ductile hybrid FRP (DHFRP) bars have been developed for use as tensile reinforcement. However, initial material costs regain high, and it is difficult to simultaneously meet strength, stiffness, ductility, and reliability demands. In this study, a reliability-based design optimization (RBDO) is conducted to determine minimum cost DHFRP bar configurations while enforcing essential constraints. Applications for bridge decks and building beams are considered, with 2, 3, and 4-material bars. It was found that optimal bar configuration has little variation for the different applications, and that overall optimized bar cost decreased as the number of bar materials increased.

A Piston-Type Porous Wave Energy Converter Theory, Ching-Yun Yueh, Shih-Hsuan Chuang

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

This study investigates the performance of a piston-type porous wave energy converter (PTPWEC), which consists of a solid wall, a vertical porous plate, a transmission bar, a rigid block constrained by rollers, a spring, and a damper. The PTPWEC is subjected to dynamic external loading by wave actions. To simulate this dynamic system, a mathematical model is used with a single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) system. Linear wave theory governs the entire fluid domain, which is divided into two regions by the vertical porous plate. Darcy's law is applied to flow through the porous plate. Finally, this investigation employs an eigenfunction expansion to …

Application Of A Support Vector Machine For Liquefaction Assessment, Ching-Yinn Lee, Shuh-Gi Chern

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

This study presents a support vector machine (SVM)-based approach for predicting earthquake liquefaction. The SVM model database includes five indexes: earthquake magnitude, total overburden pressure, effective overburden pressure, qc values from cone penetration tests (CPT), and peak ground acceleration. The proposed model was trained and tested on a dataset comprising 466 field liquefaction performance records and CPT measurements. A grid search method with k-fold cross-validation was also used to verify the feasibility. Compared with an artificial neural network (ANN)–based method, the SVM-based method has the advantage of increased accuracy and simpler operation. Experimental results show that the proposed SVM approach …

The Experimental Study On Local Scour Around A Circular Pipe Undergoing Vortex-Induced Vibration In Steady Flow, Bing Yang, Tao Yang, Jian-Lin Ma, Jin-Sheng Cui

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

The local scour around a circular pipe undergoing vortexinduced vibration is investigated experimentally in a water flume. The typical characteristic of local scour is analyzed in detail. The influences of initial gap-to-diameter ratio (e0/D), the mode of pipe vibration and the sand type on the local scour are discussed. Experimental results indicate that there exists strong intensity of scour when the pipe moves close to the surface of the sandy bed. The vibration of the pipe results in the rapid development of sandy bed’s scouring. With the increase of gap-to-diameter ratio the distance between the center of the pipe and …

Design, Fabrication, And Analysis Of A 3u Cubesat Platform, Todd Chun-Van Osdol, Charles Dorsey, Jake Hedlund, Thomas Hoye, Owen Jacobs, Kadja Klarreich-Giglio, Elliott Martin, Michael Ruiz, Michael Schlesselmann, Zachary Singh

Mechanical Engineering Senior Theses

The goal of this project is to develop a 3U CubeSat nanosatellite bus capable of short duration technology verification experiments while providing compelling handson student education opportunities. This 3U CubeSat platform has been prototyped by the design team in order to demonstrate its capabilities. This spacecraft, the Unspecified Payload Active Attitude Control Nanosatellite (UPAACN), is designed to perform a 3-6 month technology verification experiment for a NASA test component and an SCU single-axis attitude control system (AACS) in Low Earth Orbit (LEO). This project builds upon the flight heritage of SCU's Robotic Systems Laboratory (RSL) and improves its satellite development …

Quikchill : Thermoelectric Water Cooler, Franz Louie Chua, Brandon Ohara, Rachel Reid, Bernadette Tong

Mechanical Engineering Senior Theses

Motivated by the increasing residential energy utilization projections and the fact that water and ice dispensers consume 20% of total refrigerator energy, a thermoelectric water chiller was designed to provide a more energy efficient alternative. Implementing the chiller under the sink provides a convenient means to source cold, filtered water, thereby eliminating the need for water and nice dispensers as well as filtering pitchers. The cooling chamber design integrates thermoelectric modules (TEMs), which operate on the Peltier effect to cool filtered water down to 14 [degrees] C. The implementation of TEMs reduced current dispenser energy consumption by 82.4%, from 91 …