Engineering Commons^™

The Development Of A Vacuum Forming System For Kydex® And Other Thermoplastic Sheet, Andrew G. Smith

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Vacuum forming is a popular, cost effective method amongst large and small scale applications. The method is used to mold a material to the surface of a mold/pattern in order to create a negative copy for reproduction or an object in positive form. The prototype vacuum forming system developed and documented herein is of a membrane-seal type that consists of three (3) principle parts: radial platen, Hinged Frame and Platen Support Assembly, and a PVC surge tank. Each part is described in detail through design, manufacturing, and testing processes. The design supports functional versatility, small scale molding, and uses readily …

Engaging Children In Engineering Design Through The World Of Quadcopters, Greg J. Strimel, Scott R. Bartholomew, Eunhye Kim

Faculty Publications

The interest in engineering education for K-12 students has been rising (Carr, Bennett IV, & Strobel, 2012; Strimel, Grubbs, & Wells, 2016), and the importance of engineering education is discussed as early as the elementary school level (Hegedus, 2014). Petroski (2003) claims that children are ready to learn engineering because their play activities are similar to engineering and design activities, such as making, moving, and rearranging things. Studies have examined how elementary school students perceive engineering or engineers (Cunningham, Lachapelle, & Lindgren-Streicher 2005) and found that elementary-aged students associated engineering with repairing, installing, driving, constructing, and improving machines and devices. …

Design Of Logan City's Stormwater Conveyance System, Kade Jacob Beck

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

This report summarizes 10th West Engineers' (10WE) storm water conveyance design for Logan City. The implementation of the design mitigates flood risk due to storm water discharge , helps improve local water quality, and uses infrastructure that would otherwise be abandoned. The system collects storm water discharged along 1000 West and transports the water to the holding pond located at approximately 2400 West 2200 North, Logan, Utah (see Figure 1).

Figure 1. Aerial Photo of the Area of Interest Current Conditions

Logan City is located in northern Utah's Cache County. As development and redevelopment occur, storm water runoff quantities will …

Design Of Logan City's Storm Water Conveyance System, Megan Gordon

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

This report summarizes 10th West Engineers’ (10WE) storm water conveyance design for Logan City. The implementation of the design mitigates flood risk due to storm water discharge, helps improve local water quality, and uses infrastructure that would otherwise be abandoned. The system collects storm water discharged along 1000 West and transports the water to the holding pond located at approximately 2400 West 2200 North, Logan, Utah (see Figure 1).

Logan City is located in northern Utah’s Cache County. As development and redevelopment occur, storm water runoff quantities will decrease due to new regulations. However, Logan City’s storm water system does …

Designing The Technological World Through Biomimicry, Emily Yoshikawa, Greg J. Strimel, Scott R. Bartholomew

Faculty Publications

Scientific discoveries are a driver for advancing our technological world (ITEA/ITEEA; 2000/2002/2007). As more knowledge is acquired through scientific inquiry, people can better design and develop technological inventions and innovations (Knowles, Kelley, & Hurd, 2016). In turn, these novel technologies can aid in making new scientific discoveries, thus driving an ongoing cycle of technological advancement. However, in the process of designing and advancing our technological world, people can turn to the study of life and its phenomena to inspire and inform their designs. Nature is functional as well as beautiful. As we study the phenomena or functions of living organisms …

Shear Driven Micro-Fluidic Pump For Cardiovascular Applications, Nihad E. Daidzic

Aviation Department Publications

A valveless shear-driven micro-fluidic pump design (SDMFP) for hemodynamic applications is presented in this work. One of the possible medical and biomedical applications is in-vivo hemodynamic (human blood circulation) support/assist. One or more SDMFPs can be inserted/implanted into vascular lumens in a form of a stent/duct in series and/or in parallel (bypass duct) to support blood circulation in-vivo. A comprehensive review of various micro-pump designs up to about mid 2000’s is given in [1,2]. Many of micropump designs considered are not suitable for in-vivo or even in-vitro medical/biomedical applications.

Operating principles, design, and SDMFP features are given in [3]. A …

Urban Park Design, Level Of Enclosure And People’S Satisfaction: A Comparative Analysis Of Al Jahili And Al Selimi Parks In Al Ain, Uae, Amnah Ali S Gargoum

Theses

The purpose of this research is to understand how physical characteristics of parks with a particular focus on different levels of enclosure affect park usage level and user patterns in the city of Al-Ain, UAE. Parks in Al Ain are present in different parts of the city and provide plenty of opportunities for leisure and recreation. Despite this diversity, parks located within the inner city area remain the most popular among the residents of Al-Ain, and have expanded significantly in the last few years. Specifically, this thesis aims to understand how the levels of usage and the behavioral patterns of …

Selecting Surrogate Folds For Use In Origami-Based Mechanisms And Products, Jason Tyler Allen

Theses and Dissertations

Origami-based design is increasing in popularity as its benefits and advantages become better understood and explored. However, many opportunities still exist for the application of origami principles to engineered designs, especially in the use of non-paper, thick sheet materials. One specific area utilizing thick sheet materials that is especially promising is origami-based mechanisms that require electrical power transfer applications. Many of these opportunities can be met by the use of surrogate folds. This thesis provides methods and frameworks that can be used by engineers to efficiently select and design surrogate folds for use in origami-based mechanisms and products. Surrogate folds …

Balancing Technical And User Objectives In The Design Of Improved Biomass Cookstoves For Developing Regions Of The World, Kendall Steven Thacker

Theses and Dissertations

Over the past decade a large amount of research has been dedicated in academic literature to improving the technical capabilities of improved cookstoves; primarily the performance efficiency and reduction of emissions. Unfortunately, as published literature has highlighted, the trade-offs that result from placing such a concentrated emphasis on these technical objectives is that improved cookstoves lack the same level of usability as traditional cookstoves. Thus, users often return to using their traditional stoves and the potential impact of the improved cookstoves is never fully realized. In order for improved cookstoves to have greater impact, there must be better balance between …

A Vertical Axis Wave Turbine With Hydrofoil Blades, Yingchen Yang, Isaiah Diaz, Sergio Soto Quintero

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications

This work discusses a new wave energy converter (WEC) design that, when deployed in waves, performs unidirectional rotation about a vertical shaft. The uniqueness of this new WEC design is on utilizing omnidirectional water flow generated by waves to drive a rotor to perform unidirectional rotation about a vertical axis. This unique feature circumvents the frequency-dependent issue of common WECs, and eliminate realignment needs to cope with dynamically changing wave propagation directions. The key component of the WEC is a rotor, which has a vertical shaft with a number of blades mounted to it. Each blade has a hydrofoil-shaped cross …

Cockpit In The Systems Engineering Lenses, Aysen K. Taylor, Charles B. Keating, T. Steven Cotter

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Faculty Publications

The commercial transport aircraft of today vary greatly from early aircraft in regards to how they are controlled and the feedback provided from the machine to the human operator. Automation has improved operational precision and efficiency but at the cost of providing less feedback. Pilots are the last line of defense and current technology cannot provide the human ability to solve novel problems for which no computer logic can be written. The automated cockpits of today have may sub-components that interact in a manner often opaque and unpredictable when a sensor or sub-component fails or even in situations where no …

Reconceptualizing Pedagogical And Curricular Knowledge Development Through Making, Steven Greenstein, Justin Olmanson

Department of Teaching, Learning, and Teacher Education: Faculty Publications

While making is typically tethered to narratives of entrepreneurship and business, it can provide a gateway to meaningful interaction and deepened understanding of both content and pedagogy. In this article we provide descriptions of two courses—one each at the pre-service and in-service levels—that engage teachers in making and design practices that we hypothesized would inform their pedagogical and curricular thinking. With a focus on the design of new tools to support teaching and learning through the use of human-centered design practices and digital fabrication technologies, these courses have teachers exploring at the intersection of content, pedagogy, and making. Specifically, they …

Water Jet Cutting Head Actuator, Jacob D. Augustynovich

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

In an effort to increase efficiency and productivity, WARDJet was seeking a better actuation method for the cutting head on their waterjets. Current actuation methods were, for the most part, purely mechanical, relying on compressed air, springs, and water pressure to open and close the valve to 60,000 psi of water. Increasing the speed of the on/off cycle times of the waterjet would allow for faster movements of the cutting head from one cut to the next, increasing the overall amount of products cut in a day, week, and year. This obviously points to increased sales, increased profit, and increased …

An Audio-Based Security System, Hayden Christianson, Madi Mickelsen

Electrical and Computer Engineering

The Audio-Based Security System uses sound waves to map a room and detect intrusion. This provides a simpler, cheaper alternative to home and business security.

Agent: Autonomous Ground Electric Vehicle Navigation And Transmission, Braydn Clark, Allon Echols, Eric Green

Electrical and Computer Engineering

To demonstrate the feasibility of replacing the outdated and dangerous package delivery systems currently in place, it was proposed that a small autonomous vehicle be designed. In order to be a suitable replacement the small vehicle was to be charged wirelessly, avoid obstacles in its path, and have a minimal need for user input. AGENT is the result of that proposal.

Area Calculator Device, Tyson Howard

Electrical and Computer Engineering

The goal of this project was to design and construct a measuring tool capable of calculating the area of polygon shapes. Being able to accurately estimate area is important for certain career fields such as landscaping and real estate appraising. However, calculating the area of a shape is not always an easy task. The Area Calculator Device utilizes GPS technology for determining position data which is then used to determine area. The electronics used to calculate area were mounted to a distance measuring wheel. It seemed logical that an area calculating system would be convenient to use in conjunction with …

Automated Controller For A Hybrid Power System, Jonathan Walker

Electrical and Computer Engineering

This project explores the possibility for creating a low-cost control system for managing the power flow in a hybrid power system. The controller was designed to be installed in an existing off the grid cabin that uses both a propane generator and a solar powered battery bank to meet its power needs.

Classie-Talkie (The Classroom Walkie-Talkie), Weston Jensen

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Classie-Talkie is a communication tool meant to facilitate communication between a professor and his students. Dr. Stephen Clyde, who is a professor at Utah State University, requires the aid of a microphone in order to effectively communicate with his students. His current system requires students to pass around a microphone if they wish to ask a question. Classie-Talkie enables students to use their laptop computer or smart-phone in place of the microphone to ask questions or make comments during class. Transmitting all voice over IP (voIP), all audio is transmitted to the central server, then ultimately transmitted directly to Dr. …

Enhanced Capability Fluorescence Microscope, Garrett Hinton

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Fluorescence microscopes provide researchers with capabilities to observe the behavior of cells. They have many uses, but they are expensive and hard to use due to complicated software that comes with them. Focusing on an image can also prove to be a tough task for a new user. Developing a cheaper, simpler fluorescence microscope with the ability to autofocus would be a great benefit to researchers who have limited time to learn an application.

Evautomation: Object Avoidance, Jonathan Tousley, Aaron Kunz

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Poster on design of an object avoidance in electric vehicles.

Fontaine: Adaptive Sprinkler Controller, Jason Christensen, Trevor Christensen

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Fontaine is an automated sprinkler controller that adapts water usage based on weather conditions and local sensor data. It removes unneccesary watering and conserves water in a cost-effective and user friendly package.

Harry Potter Laser Tag, Skyler D. Cowley, Jaques Johansen

Electrical and Computer Engineering

For millennials, there are two great forms of entertainment: multimedia and adventure. Specifically, the rising generation have spent millions of hours collectively reading, viewing, imagining, and dreaming about magical worlds. They have also expended much energy and money in a Muggle-world physical game called laser tag. These two pastimes combined will create much enjoyment for this demographic.

Harry Potter Pinball, Jordan Haws, Joshua Lake, Tanner Olsen

Electrical and Computer Engineering

THE PROJECT:

Our modern, dynamic pinball machine:

• Controlled by microcontroller(s)
• Power supplied by AC/DC converters
• Introduction of dynamic components
• Addition of multi-level, objective gameplay

Classic pinball machine:

• Controlled by driver boards
• Power supplied by transformers
• Static playfield components
• Single level, objective gameplay

Infrared Radiometer Calibrator, Jason Gramse

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Research grade Infrared Radiometers measure surface temperature at high accuracies and require calibration. This project is a rapid and efficient calibration system for research grade radiometers. The goals of this project are:

• Rapid calibration process time of under 4 hours
• Reduce system complexity from historical versions
• Use liquid cooling instead of Peltier modules
• Attain calibration accuracies of +/-0.1C
• Compact and easily configurable design

Jarvis: Just A Rather Very Intelligent System, Mckord Harris, Dallin Riggs, Chui Vanfleet

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Many current home automation systems on the market today claim to be "Smart," but in reality are only glorified remote controls. Jarvis is being developed to make an intelligent home automation system that can control many aspects of the home. Although development of Jarvis started in 2009, many of the useful features were missing. This project was to extend Jarvis by adding home control and a natural voice-activated user-interface system.

Point-N-Share Binoculars, James Sargent, Zachary Hyatt

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Point-n-Share Binoculars are a pair of smart binoculars that can share locations. This is accomplished by using fused sensor data from

• Global Positioning System (GPS)
• Laser Range Finder (LRF)
• Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU)

Using an LRF, the distance between the user and target is determined. The pitch and heading of the binoculars is collected from the IMU. Using trigonometry, the true difference in GPS coordinates between the user and the target is calculated. That difference is then added to the user’s GPS coordinates to determine the coordinates of the target.

The GPS coordinates of the marked location are then transmitted …

Robotic Irrigation System, Cade Moody, Chance Scott, Ken Sills

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Problem: Common irrigation methods require excessive time, inconsistent water usage, and consistent monitioring.

Project Iris: Audio Visualization For The Hearing Impaired, Kenneth Raisor, Alex Wallentine, Eric Alsop, Tylen Smith

Electrical and Computer Engineering

• The goal of this project is to identify the source direction of ambient sound.
• This direction is then displayed on the AR glasses, providing a visual representation of sound information.
• This will allow the hearing impaired to see where sound is coming from.

Smart Pantry, Kory Bailey

Electrical and Computer Engineering

This project provides the design and production of a sensor that will track the contents of a user’s pantry. The Smart Pantry will be able to automatically detect changes in any pantry item and reflect that information on the user’s mobile device to make it faster, easier, and more reliable to track changes in one’s pantry.

Software-Defined Radio Direction Of Arrival Analysis, Sam Whiting

Electrical and Computer Engineering

A portable system that finds and displays direction of arrival (DOA) data.