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Articles 601 - 630 of 1342

Full-Text Articles in Mechanical Engineering

Development Of Synthetic Composite Materials To Simulate Vocal Fold Tissue, Allyson Pulsipher, Dr. Scott Thomson Sep 2013

Development Of Synthetic Composite Materials To Simulate Vocal Fold Tissue, Allyson Pulsipher, Dr. Scott Thomson

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Over the past 25 years, research has been done to analyze the response of vocal fold tissue to tensile loading. Although the research provided better understanding of vocal fold behavior, there has been significant variability in the results of each research endeavor. Many factors may have contributed to the differences, such as dissimilar experimental set-ups, difficulty of obtaining and analyzing vocal fold samples, etc. However, the most significant factor of variance is most likely related to the structure of the tissue itself.


Palatometer, Art Krahenbuhl, Dr. Brian Jensen Sep 2013

Palatometer, Art Krahenbuhl, Dr. Brian Jensen

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The palatometer is a device previously designed by Dr. Sam Fletcher to aid in his work of speech therapy. The device consists of a series of sensors laid out on a grid that is attached to a mold of the user’s palate. As the user talks, the sensors react to the places where the tongue touches and sends a signal through wires to a processing chip, housed in a little black box. This black box is suspended around the user’s neck, and relays the data from the mouth to a computer that creates a digital representation of the sensor’s information …


A Race Vehicle Data Acquisition System, B. Taylor Newill, Dr. Mark Colton Sep 2013

A Race Vehicle Data Acquisition System, B. Taylor Newill, Dr. Mark Colton

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The Society of Automotive Engineers hosts the annual Formula SAE student design competition. This year 70 teams will design, build, and race a one man, open-wheeled road racer. Formula SAE is considered by many to be the most prestigious university engineering design competition in the world. For the first time, a team of undergraduate BYU students will participate in the Formula SAE competition.


Progressing Bicycle Design For People With Hip Disarticulation, Luke Rasmussen, Dr. Mark Colton Sep 2013

Progressing Bicycle Design For People With Hip Disarticulation, Luke Rasmussen, Dr. Mark Colton

Journal of Undergraduate Research

People with hip disarticulation are those who have had a leg surgically removed above the hip, taking away every muscle and movement in one of their limbs. A surgery of this type makes it extremely difficult for its recipients to lead an active lifestyle. This project aimed to design a bicycle for use by people with hip disarticulation, thus enabling them to maintain an active and healthy lifestyle despite their obstacles.


Vapor Deposition Methods For Synthetic Vocal Fold Modeling, Mitchell Hortin, Dr. Scott Thomson Sep 2013

Vapor Deposition Methods For Synthetic Vocal Fold Modeling, Mitchell Hortin, Dr. Scott Thomson

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The purpose of this project was to develop a reliable method to create the epithelial layer of silicone rubber vocal fold models. The method needed be able to repeatedly create a uniform layer of silicone rubber that is 70-80 microns in thickness. The type of silicone rubber used was to have similar or identical properties to the type currently in use. In an attempt to accomplish this purpose, three types of nozzles, an ultrasonic mist maker and an airbrush were tested to see if they could efficiently atomize the silicone mixture. This testing showed that the airbrush setup has the …


A Characterization Of Force Patterns And Power Flow In The Golf Swing Using A Three Dimensional Model, Shad Roundy, Dr. Craig Smith Sep 2013

A Characterization Of Force Patterns And Power Flow In The Golf Swing Using A Three Dimensional Model, Shad Roundy, Dr. Craig Smith

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Of the many specific studies published on the golf swing, few if any give a holistic mechanical understanding of the swing. The purpose of this study was to develop a holistic three dimensional model and characterize the force and power patterns in an elite golfer. Because of the emphasis in golf instruction on lower body motion, particularly the hip turn, particular attention was given to the relationship between the force generated in the lower body, and the resulting hip, trunk, and arm motion. This same model could be used in the future to more widely characterize force patterns of golfers …


The Radial Turbine: A Simple Encapsulation Of Its Design, Matthew B. Parkinson, Dr. Jordan J. Cox Sep 2013

The Radial Turbine: A Simple Encapsulation Of Its Design, Matthew B. Parkinson, Dr. Jordan J. Cox

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The design, manufacture, and testing of turbines involves many aspects of engineering: fluid mechanics, computer-aided design, computer-aided manufacturing, instrumentation, heat transfer, and optimitization. This project encapsulates these and provides for rapid design, manufacture, and testing of a prototype turbine wheel (figure 1). Although the models are simplified and do not address countless design considerations, they do provide a feel for the many issues encountered.


Characterization Of Wrist Kinetics During Activities Of Daily Living, Autumn Pando, Dr. Steven Charles Sep 2013

Characterization Of Wrist Kinetics During Activities Of Daily Living, Autumn Pando, Dr. Steven Charles

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Out of the 75,000 people afflicted with repetitive strain injuries annually in the U.S., 68% impair the wrist1. A major factor in these injuries is abnormal and excessive force. However, forces applied normally by the wrist in everyday environments are unknown. The purpose of this study is to quantify a detailed baseline of healthy, normal wrist forces used in activities of daily living (ADL). Once normal ranges are quantified, abnormal forces can be better identified, leading to more informed preventative designs and more personalized treatment options.


Origami-Based Design For Engineering Applications, Kevin Campbell Francis Sep 2013

Origami-Based Design For Engineering Applications, Kevin Campbell Francis

Theses and Dissertations

Origami can be a powerful source of design inspiration in the creation of reconfigurable systems with unparalleled performance. This thesis provides fundamental tools for designers to employ as origami-based designs are pursued in their respective fields of expertise. The first chapter introduces origami and makes connections between origami and engineering design through a survey of engineered applications and characterizing the relationship between origami and compliant mechanisms. The second chapter evaluates the creasing of non-paper sheet materials, such as plastics and metals, to facilitate origami-based compliant mechanism design. Although it is anticipated that most origami-based design will result from surrogate folds …


Coupling Rotation And Lamination Theory With Product Development To Create Barriers To Reverse Engineering, Stephen P. Harston, Dr. Christopher A. Mattson Aug 2013

Coupling Rotation And Lamination Theory With Product Development To Create Barriers To Reverse Engineering, Stephen P. Harston, Dr. Christopher A. Mattson

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Introducing a novel product into the market place inevitably invites competitors to reverse engineer it; enabling them to determine proprietary trade secrets and decrease potential profits. Unfortunately, there are relatively few barriers to reverse engineering and the few that do exist are not easily implemented. We will show how a numerical optimization method was used to search for improved material properties in metals as obtainable by the rotation and lamination theory as defined below. These improved material properties are generally thought to be unobtainable in metals and results in unexpected (yet desirable) performance, thus a barrier to reverse engineering is …


Pegleg Crutch, Levi Leishman, Darrel Zeltner Aug 2013

Pegleg Crutch, Levi Leishman, Darrel Zeltner

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The progress of a cheap, simple and practical substitute for the common crutch for us has had many design improvements and successes in this year. We were able to meet with medical, educational, and engineering professionals who were all able to input their criticisms and advice. We have decided on a final design that is not the best design for use, but the best when considering cost. See figure 1 for a visual of the final design.


Unilateral Human Vocal Fold Stiffness, Paul Gollnick, Dr. Scott Thomson Aug 2013

Unilateral Human Vocal Fold Stiffness, Paul Gollnick, Dr. Scott Thomson

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Sounds produced in human speech originate from the vocal folds (also known as vocal chords). In order to speak, the vocal folds must close together. Air is then forced between them causing the folds to vibrate and produce sound.


Improvement Of Body-Powered Prostheses Using Supplemental Power, Kasey Greenland, Dr. Mark Colton Aug 2013

Improvement Of Body-Powered Prostheses Using Supplemental Power, Kasey Greenland, Dr. Mark Colton

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Many upper-limb amputees are fitted with body-powered prostheses. These are typically operated by the user wearing a harness and making a certain body movement. That movement pulls a cable which then moves the terminal device, which may be an artificial hand or a hook, to perform desired functions. With such prostheses the user is typically limited in their use of the individual fingers and many opt for a hook. Some have voluntary-closing terminal devices, meaning that the hand is in an open position when no force is applied . Though these devices are useful, they often do not provide the …


Investigation Of The Effects Of Intraosseous Pressure Rise In The Formation Of Spinal Burst Fractures: A Biphasic Material Approach, Spencer Shore, Dr. Anton Bowden Aug 2013

Investigation Of The Effects Of Intraosseous Pressure Rise In The Formation Of Spinal Burst Fractures: A Biphasic Material Approach, Spencer Shore, Dr. Anton Bowden

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Burst fractures are high-speed spine injuries caused by rapid axial compression of the vertebrae. The traditional explanation for the burst fracture mechanism points to an intraosseous pressure rise due to the entrance of the intervertebral disc through a fractured endplate. Recent experiments [1], however, indicate an actual decrease in both internal pressure and hydraulic resistance in high-speed tests that result in burst fractures. These results cast doubt on the validity of the traditional burst fracture theory. The current study seeks to model the intraosseous pressure rise using the finite element method. In this model, the trabecular core and marrow of …


High-Resolution Bulk Measurement Of Crystal Defects During Deformation Of Highly Textured Copper, Colin Landon, Dr. Brent Adams Aug 2013

High-Resolution Bulk Measurement Of Crystal Defects During Deformation Of Highly Textured Copper, Colin Landon, Dr. Brent Adams

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Plastic deformation of crystalline materials is accommodated by crystallographic slip, and the formation and motion of dislocations. Of particular interest to deformation predictions are the dislocation structures that form internal to grains (i.e. the cellular structures), because of their impact on the plastic behavior of the crystal. However, no generally acceptable models that link the dislocation structures and crystal plasticity exist, as is shown by the number of new theories emerging in the literature.


Csf Sniffer Final Report, Alyssa Huber, David Miller, Dr. Brian Jensen Aug 2013

Csf Sniffer Final Report, Alyssa Huber, David Miller, Dr. Brian Jensen

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The purpose of our research was to create a tool to help in the treatment of hydrocephalus; hydrocephalus is a disease in which an obstruction causes a build-up of cerebral spinal fluid (CSF), a liquid found in the brain. Artificial shunts or passageways are used to relocate excess CSF in the treatment of hydrocephalus. Shunts are commonly misplaced, further aggravating patients’ symptoms. We developed an instrument, the CSF Sniffer, to increase the accuracy of shunt placement; it informs the neurosurgeon of the location of the instrument tip in the brain by measuring the intensity of light reflected off the brain. …


Collision Avoidance Using Haptic Feedback For A Quadrotor Helicopter, Adam Brandt, Dr. Mark Colton Aug 2013

Collision Avoidance Using Haptic Feedback For A Quadrotor Helicopter, Adam Brandt, Dr. Mark Colton

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The remote operation of a quadrotor unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) presents unique challenges to the pilot. When flying a traditional aircraft a camera can be directed so that the field of view points out the nose, which is always in the direction of flight, assuming small side-slip angles. Using this camera, a remote pilot can always see obstacles that the aircraft is approaching and respond appropriately to avoid them.


The Influence Of Superhydrophobicity On Laminar Jet Impingement And Turbulent Flow In A Channel With Walls Exhibiting Riblets, Joseph Fletcher Prince Aug 2013

The Influence Of Superhydrophobicity On Laminar Jet Impingement And Turbulent Flow In A Channel With Walls Exhibiting Riblets, Joseph Fletcher Prince

Theses and Dissertations

The object of this work is to explore the influence superhydrophobic (SH) surfaces exert in laminar jet impingement and when they are combined with riblets in turbulent channel flow. A SH surface generates an apparent slip due to the combination of micropatterning and chemical hydrophobicity. Because of surface tension, water does not enter the cavities between the features, increasing the contact angle of a water droplet on the surface and reducing the liquid-solid contact area. An analysis based on the integral momentum approach of Karman and Pohlhausen is presented that predicts jet impingement behavior on SH surfaces. The model is …


Thermal Transport To Sessile Water Droplets On Heated Superhydrophobic Surfaces Of Varying Cavity Fraction, Robb C. Hays Aug 2013

Thermal Transport To Sessile Water Droplets On Heated Superhydrophobic Surfaces Of Varying Cavity Fraction, Robb C. Hays

Theses and Dissertations

The hydrophobicity of a surface is defined as the degree to which it repels water molecules, and the internal contact angle that the droplet makes with the surface is a measure of the hydrophobicity. Contact angles less than 90° occur on hydrophilic surfaces, while contact angles greater than 90° occur on hydrophobic surfaces. If a surface's contact angle is greater than 120° the surface is commonly defined as superhydrophobic (SH). Superhydrophobicity is accomplished through a combination of microscale surface roughness and water repellant surface chemistry. The roughness creates cavities, or pockets, of vapor underneath the droplet which act to increase …


Analysis Of Prosthetic Leg Shock Absorption And Structure, Russell Dibb, David Williams, Dr. Mark Colton Aug 2013

Analysis Of Prosthetic Leg Shock Absorption And Structure, Russell Dibb, David Williams, Dr. Mark Colton

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The purpose of the prosthetic leg project was to research and design a below-the-knee prosthetic leg that could be used in developing countries. Many prosthetic legs that are currently on the market are very expensive and difficult to manufacture in undeveloped areas of the world. The engineering challenges that the prosthetic leg design addressed include a device that is 1) capable of being manufactured at a low cost ($100-$500), 2) simply and easily reproducible in a developing country, 3) durable enough to hold up to the vigorous conditions that exist in a developing country, and 4) able to effectively modeling …


Parametric Human Spine Model, Simeon Smith, Dr. Anton Bowden Aug 2013

Parametric Human Spine Model, Simeon Smith, Dr. Anton Bowden

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Three-dimensional computer models are commonly used to understand and analyze pathological conditions of the spine. Models of the spine are most beneficial when they match each patient’s spinal geometry. Currently, making a model for a specific patient is a long, multi-step process that must be started anew for each person. The goal of this project was to create a parametric model that can be used to instantly generate the spinal geometry of any particular patient based on the input of a few controlling parameters.


Development Of A Simple Manufacturing Process For A Prosthetic Leg, Kyle Smith, Dr. Mark Colton Aug 2013

Development Of A Simple Manufacturing Process For A Prosthetic Leg, Kyle Smith, Dr. Mark Colton

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The purpose of this project was to develop a simple process to manufacture a useful and affordable prosthetic leg to be made available to below-the-knee amputees in a sub-Saharan African country. This project was motivated by a desire for learning and experience and also by humanitarian and social entrepreneurship ideals. The project was carried out as a joint effort by a larger research team composed of members of the BYU Biomedical Engineering Club. As this was a joint team effort, many of the tasks detailed in this report were shared between several team members. Currently, the team has identified partners …


Sustainable Bulding Materials In Mozambique, Jared Geddes, Dr. Robert Todd Aug 2013

Sustainable Bulding Materials In Mozambique, Jared Geddes, Dr. Robert Todd

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The research that I conducted this year was in the area of sustainable building materials. I worked with a team of six engineers to develop a sustainable building material that would be able to withstand the heavy monsoon rains common to the area of Beira, Mozambique. Every year, these rains destroy up to 60% of the local buildings, consisting mainly of local residences made from mud, straw, and sticks. This destruction and the resultant flooding causes an unsafe and unsanitary condition for the local residents. One of the most dangerous aspects of this flooding is the problem of the sanitation. …


Development Of A Simple Manufacturing Process For A Prosthetic Leg, John Christiansen, Dr. Mark Colton Aug 2013

Development Of A Simple Manufacturing Process For A Prosthetic Leg, John Christiansen, Dr. Mark Colton

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The purpose of this project was to develop a simple process to manufacture a useful and affordable prosthetic leg to be made available to below-­‐the-­‐knee amputees in a sub-­‐ Saharan African country. This project was motivated by a desire for learning and experience and also by humanitarian and social entrepreneurship ideals. The project was carried out as a joint effort by a larger research team composed of members of the BYU Biomedical Engineering Club. As this was a joint team effort, many of the tasks detailed in this report were shared between several team members. Currently, the team has identified …


Prosthetic Leg Project, Carl Ellingson Aug 2013

Prosthetic Leg Project, Carl Ellingson

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The idea of this project was to research prosthetic leg designs in an effort to create a below-the-knee prosthetic device. The goal was to come up with a device that could be used in third world countries where the need is most considerable. In the past year we have come up with a design and are still in the process of testing the leg. We did not finish as fast as we would have liked, and we are still working on additional testing before we can present our idea to the scholarly community.


Pace Global Collaboration Race Car Project And Pace Emerging Market Engine Project, Jesse Davis, Dr. C. Greg Jensen Aug 2013

Pace Global Collaboration Race Car Project And Pace Emerging Market Engine Project, Jesse Davis, Dr. C. Greg Jensen

Journal of Undergraduate Research

I have been involved with Partners for the Advancement of Collaborative Engineering Education (PACE) since January 2008. The goal of this organization involving industry sponsors and student teams is to teach and foster engineering collaboration in today’s global market. Various projects are undertaken in PACE, but the main focus is design and engineering in the automotive field. I participated in two projects during the past year.


Analysis Of Prosthetic Leg Shock Absorption And Structure, David Williams, Russell Dibb, Dr. Mark Colton Aug 2013

Analysis Of Prosthetic Leg Shock Absorption And Structure, David Williams, Russell Dibb, Dr. Mark Colton

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The purpose of the prosthetic leg project was to research and design a below-the-knee prosthetic leg that could be used in developing countries. Many prosthetic legs that are currently on the market are very expensive and difficult to manufacture in undeveloped areas of the world. The engineering challenges that the prosthetic leg design addressed include a device that is 1) capable of being manufactured at a low cost ($100-$500), 2) simply and easily reproducible in a developing country, 3) durable enough to hold up to the vigorous conditions that exist in a developing country, and 4) able to effectively modeling …


Mechanical Characterization Of Accelerated Human Lumbar Disc Degeneration, John Sessions, Dr. Anton Bowden Aug 2013

Mechanical Characterization Of Accelerated Human Lumbar Disc Degeneration, John Sessions, Dr. Anton Bowden

Journal of Undergraduate Research

It is reported by the American Academy of Orthopeadic Surgeons that in 2005, 24% of the population sought treatment for back pain [1]. Additionally, Americans spent over $85.9 billion (2005) on health treatment costs related to back problems with the vast majority being connected to disc degeneration [1]. Despite the vast sum of money being spent on treatment of disc degeneration, the leading surgical treatments for disc degeneration (spinal fusion, total disc replacement) have been shown to increase degeneration at the discs in adjacent levels to the surgery [2].


High-Speed, Three-Dimensional Quantification Of Ladybug (Hippodamia Convergens) Flapping Wing Kinematics During Takeoff, Ryan B. George, Dr. Scott L. Thomson Aug 2013

High-Speed, Three-Dimensional Quantification Of Ladybug (Hippodamia Convergens) Flapping Wing Kinematics During Takeoff, Ryan B. George, Dr. Scott L. Thomson

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Ladybug wing and body kinematics during takeoff is explored using high-speed stereoscopic imaging. Recordings of the specimens during flight are acquired at a rate of 3000 frames per second. A direct linear transformation algorithm is performed using custom implementation in Matlab to quantify positions of selected locations on the body, forewings (elytra), and hindwings. Design and setup of instrumentation and analysis procedures are explained. Flapping frequency is reported. Significant motion of the elytra and other findings are presented and their applications are discussed.


Transtibial Suspension, Peter Jepsen, Dr. Anton Bowden Aug 2013

Transtibial Suspension, Peter Jepsen, Dr. Anton Bowden

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Amputees in developing countries struggle to find employment because of their disabilities, but also struggle to afford the artificial limbs that are available to them. Further compounding the problem is the lack of comfortable fitting prosthetics, which are hard to find and design even in advanced nations. I researched, designed and tested suspension systems that could be made for a transtibial (below the knee) prosthetic leg that would be both comfortable and inexpensive.