Mechanical Engineering Commons^™

Mems 411: Volleyball Setter, Alexander Zuga, Liam Cadden, Neil Cumberland, Jacob Ridderhoff

Mechanical Engineering Design Project Class

Our volleyball setting machine is intended for use by the WashU men’s club volleyball team to improve their training. It allows their skilled hitters to get more reps in practice because there currently aren’t enough skilled setters on their team.

Mems 411: Giant Pouched Rat Trap, Ronald Fields, Mariano Gonzalez, Edward Li, Jordan Hu

Mechanical Engineering Design Project Class

Dr. Braude from the Biology department at Washington University in St. Louis is currently working on a project training giant Gambian pouched rats to find mines and other bombs in former conflict zones. In order to trap Gambian pouched rats, Professor Braude asked a few MEMS 411 Senior Design groups to design and build a trap that can safely capture the rats. The trap had to be about 2-3 feet long, 6 inches in diameter, completely mechanical, simple, and it had to cost less than 30 USD to build.

Mems 411: Laundry No Mo (Lnm), Justin Tai, Minju Lee, Logan Johnson, Elijah Stewart

Mechanical Engineering Design Project Class

How can you optimize your time and labor while folding laundry? You can do so with this laundry folding device called Laundry No Mo (LNM).

Mems 411: The Bueffer 3000, Ty W. Bedillion, Krista Sudar, Anna Oneto, Cole Kocjancic

Mechanical Engineering Design Project Class

We were tasked with creating a quality product for a customer for MEMS 411 Senior Design. Our customer was the Washington University in St. Louis Men's Club Volleyball team and they asked us to create a volleyball setting machine.

Mems 411: Friction Frenzy, Angelo Hawa, Landon Tafoya, Noah Owens

Mechanical Engineering Design Project Class

The demo is designed to demonstrate the concept of friction to younger children(ages 4+) using an incline plane. The premise is to allow the user to slowly elevate a surface until a block resting on top begins to slide, at which point an electronic interface displays the calculated amount (or coefficient) of friction. The core functions of the device are discussed based on the customer needs in order to identify key performance goals for its successful operation. The design process is documented from initial modeling to the final prototype and critical metrics including safety and ease of fabrication are discussed. …

Mems 411: Giant Pouched Rat Trap, Shannon Wang, Isha Shah, Vaishali Shah, Elizabeh Saliba

Mechanical Engineering Design Project Class

Our goal is to design a giant pouched rat trap that meets the customer needs from professor Stan Braude. The giant pouched rats are to be breed and trained to find land mines. Therefore, the rats must be captured in good condition. However, giant pouched rats are not passive once caught and tries to escape every way possible. In the past, with traditional trap wires, they tend to get caught in the wire and hurt themselves. Our solution offers a completely smooth inner wall of the trap to prevent damage to the rats, while improving on the functionality of the …

Mems 411: The Hash Setting Slasher, Garrett Barber, William Koopman, Andrew Werner, Alexandra Carr

Mechanical Engineering Design Project Class

The volleyball setter has certain patents that utilize some sort of rotational component or is a stationary platform that the ball rests on before the player hits it. Our design is different because it utilizes the mechanical properties of springs to propel the ball forwards. We had certain specifications to meet to allow the volleyball to be natural in its trajectory and able to be shot efficiently and effectively. Some specifications required positioning adjustments and some defined how the ball should be propelled through the air. We also had parameters involving cost, weight, and the repeatability of the mechanism to …

Mems 411: Soccer Robot, Luis Castro, Lydia Kang, Moshe Eskenazi, Ryan Whelan

Mechanical Engineering Design Project Class

The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) hosts annual competitions for engineeringstudents across the world. The ASME 2018 Student Design Competition wasto build a robotic soccerteam to compete in a FIFA World Cup style elimination tournament. Robot(s) must fit inside a 0.5 x 0.5 x 0.5 meter cube,be powered by batteries, and be controlled by a human operator with a wireless radio transmitter or through an electrical “umbilical” cord. The balls are tennis balls.

Dynamic Modeling Of Soft Robotic Dielectric Elastomer Actuator, Abdullah De Jesus El Atrache Ceballos

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

Dielectric elastomers actuators (DEAs) are among the preferred materials for developing lightweight, high compliance and energy efficient driven mechanisms for soft robots. Simple DEAs consist mostly of a homogeneous elastomeric materials that transduce electrical energy into mechanical deformation by means of electrostatic attraction forces from coated electrodes. Furthermore, stacking multiple single DEAs can escalate the total mechanical displacement performed by the actuator, such is the case of multilayer DEAs. The presented research proposes a model for the dynamical characterization of multilayer DEAs in the mechanical and electrical domain. The analytical model is derived by using free body diagrams and lumped …

Development Of Acoustic Metamaterial Noise Barriers And Simultaneously Harvesting Energy Using Smart Materials, Fariha Mir

Theses and Dissertations

In our surroundings abundant energy, we either feel through component vibration or hear noises from acoustic sources. Harvesting these unused and untapped green energy in the form of ambient vibration, and acoustic sounds is an emerging field of research in recent years. Utilization of the energy within a wide band of the frequency spectrum originated from the vibrational sources alone stands as one of the most promising ways to power small electronic devices, smartphones, local structural health monitoring sensors, home, and workshop appliances. These abundant sources of green energy are available in almost all the engineering industries, workshops, manufacturing facilities, …

Effect Of Crystal Size On The Failure Mechanics Of Polymer Bonded Explosives, Chizoba Onwuka

Theses and Dissertations

Polymer bonded explosives (PBXs), typically constitute 80-95% of energetic crystals and 5-20% of a soft polymer binder, are widely used in extreme loading conditions such as rocket propellants and explosive munitions because of their high performance and low sensitivity. The particle size of crystals has a significant effect on the mechanical properties of most polymer particulate composites.

In the study, the effect of particle size on the deformation behavior of PBX under dynamic loading is investigated. The study involves testing polymer bonded sugar (PBS) samples, a well-known mechanical simulant of PBXs, with four different crystal sizes: coarse, intermediate, fine and …

Conductive Polymer Spark Gap Igniters, Miranda P. Mcconnell, Allison K. Murray, Bryan W. Boudouris, I. Emre Gunduz, Steven F. Son, George T.-C. Chiu, Jeffrey F. Rhoads

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

Electrodes fabricated from electronically active polymers offer some benefits over those fabricated with common metals, including an appreciable resistance to corrosion and lower density. These benefits, and potentially others, manifest the advantages of using conductive polymers in lieu of metals for the mass production of ignition systems. In this work, spark gap igniters were fabricated using a potentially low-cost, roll-to-roll compatible process utilizing the doped conductive polymer polyaniline as the electrode material. Subsequently, nanothermite was printed on the spark gap igniters between the organic leads and ignited using a high voltage source to demonstrate the effectiveness of the device. All …

Purification Of Uranium Tetrafluoride Using Ammonium Bifluoride, Kyle Robert Foster

Theses and Dissertations

Molten salt reactors are being deployed as one of the Generation IV nuclear reactor concepts starting in 2025. While their applications and safety potential are considered extremely advantageous, there is a lack of operating history to draw on, so thorough understanding of proposed molten salt materials’ thermochemical behavior is crucial to their successful implementation.

The most prominent fissile fuel proposed for molten salts is uranium tetrafluoride (UF4) using ²³³U of the thorium fuel cycle. UF₄ is extremely hygroscopic, meaning it will react with moisture and oxygen in its environment, so as-received powders contain significant levels of impurity. In …

Me-Em 2020-21 Annual Report, Department Of Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics, Michigan Technological University

Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Annual Reports

Table of Contents

• Responsive Research
• Alumni Impact
• Innovative Enterprises
• Enrollment & Degrees
• Graduates
• Department
• Donors
• Contracts & Grants
• Patents & Publications

Occurrence And Probabilistic Health Risk Assessment (Pra) Of Dissolved Metals In Surface Water Sources In Southern Peru, Alexander Ccanccapa-Cartagena, Betty Paredes, Corina Vera, Francisco D. Chavez-Gonzales, Elizabeth Joy Olson, Lisa Welp, Nadezhda N. Zyaykina, Timothy R. Filley, David M. Warsinger, Chad T. Jafvert

School of Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications

Often, metal and metalloid ions are present in water at concentrations that seriously affect human health; understanding their occurrence is critical, especially in regions such as Peru, where natural volcanic activity and anthropogenic activity have made them more prevalent in local waterbodies. In this study, river, lake, aquifer, and irrigation water samples, collected from the Chili-Quilca, Camana-Majes, Colca-Chivay-Siguas, Oco˜na, Urubamba-Vilcanota, and Titicaca river basins in Southern Peru, were analyzed for transition metals, other metals, metalloids, and other inorganic water constituents. Special emphasis was placed on metals and metalloids regulated by Peruvian Water Quality Standards and those categorized as of “primary …

Nanofluids Improve Energy Efficiency Of Membrane Distillation, Harsharaj B. Parmar, Hamid Fattahi Juybari, Yashwant S. Yogi, Sina Nejati, Ryan M. Jacob, Prashant S. Menon, David M. Warsinger

School of Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications

Thermal desalination of high salinity water resources is crucial for increasing freshwater supply, but efficiency enhancements are badly needed. Nanomaterial enhancements offer enormous potential for improving promising technologies like membrane distillation (MD). However, while many approaches have been tried, such as nanoparticle solar absorbers or nanomaterial membranes, there have not been studies to directly enhance the fluid properties in MD; via nanofluids. In this work, we examine nanofluids for gap-based MD systems, including the role of nanoscale physics and system-level energy efficiency enhancements. Our model includes the dominant micro-mixing from Brownian motion in fine particle nanofluids (copper oxide) and the …

2021 (Fall) Ensi Informer Magazine, Morehead State University. Engineering Sciences Department

ENSI Informer Magazine Archive

The ENSI Informer Magazine published in the fall of 2019.

Implementation Of Stereo Digital Image Correlation For In-Plane Strain Measurements To Quantify The Anisotropic Behavior, Plastic Flow, And Strain Hardening Of Extruded Aluminum Alloy, Farzana Yasmeen

Theses and Dissertations

The efficient use of metals is important in various industries, including aerospace, automotive, and energy systems. In each case, the type and range of combined loading conditions can be quite different. The approaches to stress analysis of such complex engineering components and assemblies often are limited to elastic conditions. For those cases where components are relatively thin, elastic-plastic conditions are present; there is continuing interest in assessing the accuracy of analytic and computational models for combined loading conditions. In such cases, experiments performed with axial and shear loads (e.g., tension-torsion) provide baseline data regarding the relationship between applied stresses and …

Application Of Digital Transformation In The Water Desalination Industry To Develop Smart Desalination Plants, Ibrahim Yousif

Theses and Dissertations

Fresh water shortage threatens the development and prosperity of many countries including several areas in the United States. Sea and ground water reverse osmosis desalination is rapidly becoming a dominant technology for overcoming water shortage threats by providing cost-effective freshwater production. Digital transformation can be used to help facilitate and advance water treatment technologies by reducing costs and minimizing downtime. Digital transformation is a process that encapsulates digital tools and technologies such as cloud computing, machine learning, artificial intelligence, the internet of things, and virtual/augmented reality. It is a process where objects in the physical world are given virtual replicas …

On The Need To Determine Accurately The Impact Of Higher-Order Sensitivities On Model Sensitivity Analysis, Uncertainty Quantification And Best-Estimate Predictions, Dan Gabriel Cacuci

Faculty Publications

This work aims at underscoring the need for the accurate quantification of the sensitivities (i.e., functional derivatives) of the results (a.k.a. “responses”) produced by large-scale computational models with respect to the models’ parameters, which are seldom known perfectly in practice. The large impact that can arise from sensitivities of order higher than first has been highlighted by the results of a third-order sensitivity and uncertainty analysis of an OECD/NEA reactor physics benchmark, which will be briefly reviewed in this work to underscore that neglecting the higherorder sensitivities causes substantial errors in predicting the expectation and variance of model responses. The …

Assessing The Feasibility Of A Belt Based Continuously Varied Transmission For Bicycles, Ethan Wicko

Holster Scholar Projects

The objective of this project is to establish the feasibility of a new drivetrain that decreases maintenance and decreases rider effort compared to current widely used derailleur-based drivetrains by utilizing a belt based continuously varied transmission. With further development, this technology will make cycling more accessible by reducing the mechanical knowledge required to maintain a functional bike and facilitate bicycle riding by increasing durability and providing infinite gear ratios within that range, potentially increasing the health and quality of life for many.

Me-Em Enewsbrief, September 2021, Department Of Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics, Michigan Technological University

Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering eNewsBrief

No abstract provided.

Numerical Study Of Fully Coupled Fluid-Structure Interaction Of Stented Ureter By Varying The Stent Side-Holes, Erick Martinez, Ben Xu, Jianzhi Li, Yingchen Yang

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications

Ureteral stents are a measure used for many medical issues involving urology, such as kidney stones or kidney transplants. The purpose of applying stents is to help relieve the urine flow while the ureter is either blocked or trying to close itself, which creates blockages. These ureteral stents, while necessary, cause pain and discomfort to patients due to them being a solid that moves around inside the patients’ body. The ureter normally moves urine to the bladder through peristaltic forces. Due to the ureter being a hyperelastic material, these peristaltic forces cause the ureter to deform easily, making it necessary …

Centrifugal Spinning And Characterization Of Co3o4 Coated Carbon Fibers, J. Ayala, D. Ramirez, Elizabeth M. Fletes, Helia Magali Morales, Jason Parsons, Mataz Alcoutlabi

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications

Centrifugally spun polyacrylonitrile (PAN) microfibers surface-coated with Co3O4 nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared as precursors to produce coated Co3O4 carbon-composite fibers. The Co3O4/C composite fibers were obtained through a staged heating process during which the Co3O4PAN precursor fibers were stabilized over four hours at 200 °C, and subsequently the stabilized fibers were carbonized for six hours at 600 °C. The synthesis process presented in this work provides an effective strategy for the fabrication of surface coated-fiber materials, including composite fibers with good structure and morphology. The characterization of the Co3O4/C composite fibers was performed using SEM, EDS, XPS, XRD …

Mechanical Strength Of Sic Composite Tubing Under Uniaxial And Multiaxial Loading, Colton Corley

Theses and Dissertations

Silicon carbide fiber reinforced silicon carbide matrix composite is one of the candidate materials for accident tolerant nuclear fuel cladding concepts. In a Nuclear power plant, the reactions between the fuel, cladding, and coolant in a potential loss of coolant accident(LOCA) are of utmost importance to ensure safety in the accident tolerance of such plants. It is for this reason that SiC(silicon carbide) composite tubes have been selected as a possible alternative to the older Zirconium based cladding methods currently used in the industry, which were a partial cause of the Fukushima 2011 meltdown. To serve as fuel cladding, a …

Development Of A Rapid Compression And Expansion Machine To Characterize The Ignition Propensity Of Multi-Component Liquid Fuels, Jonathan Joseph Morreale

Theses and Dissertations

Combustion has been the primary source for energy production, whether it be from coal, oil, or natural gas, for a very long time. With increasing population and therefore an increased demand for energy, efficiency is becoming a concern. In order to increase efficiency, engines have been downsized and compression ratios have been increased. In doing so, problems have arisen such as knock and low speed pre-ignition. To better understand these problems, an investigation into how fuels ignite at higher pressures is necessary. Real fuels are comprised of multiple components that exhibit significant variations in their own physical and chemical characteristics. …

Searching Extreme Mechanical Properties Using Active Machine Learning And Density Functional Theory, Joshua Ojih

Theses and Dissertations

Materials with extreme mechanical properties leads to future technological advancements. However, discovery of these materials is non-trivial. The use of machine learning (ML) techniques and density functional theory (DFT) calculation for structure properties prediction has helped to the discovery of novel materials over the past decade. ML techniques are highly efficient, but less accurate and density functional theory (DFT) calculation is highly accurate, but less efficient. We proposed a technique to combine ML methods and DFT calculations in discovering new materials with desired properties. This combination improves the search for materials because it combines the efficiency of ML and the …

An Investigation Of The Ignition Propensities Of Fuels Perturbed By Nitrogen Monoxide, Ackmer Robinson Iii

Theses and Dissertations

Quantitative structure property relationship (QSPR) regression models were developed based on the chemical functional group distribution of toluene reference fuels (TRF, mixtures of n-heptane, iso-octane, and toluene) for RON, MON, and DCN. The QSPR regression models were developed using DCN measurements from this study as well as RON/MON data available in literature. The correlations between RON/MON and DCN were analyzed. The ignition propensity of TRFs perturbed by NO addition was also investigated in this study. The interactions between the chemical functional groups and NO were investigated using an ignition quality tester (IQT). It was found that the increase in the …

Leveraging Digital Transformation To Build The Technology Of Tomorrow Using Yesterday’S Equipment, Evan Barnett

Theses and Dissertations

Today’s industry sectors are filled with machines developed years ago. Healthcare, manufacturing, sustainment operations, and many others have equipment that may be reliable, but lacks certain capabilities that the newest technology delivers. The digital environment is becoming a necessity for users who want greater insights into how to improve their processes. A solution to this problem would be to purchase the newest equipment that contains robust measures to generate, collect, and analyze data. However, this solution may not be financially feasible for some and for others may sacrifice machine downtime and reliability. To combat these issues, this research focuses on …

Rip Curl: Community Activism For The Coast (The Ux Phase, Rip Curl And Sustainability, The Ui Phase), John Delacruz

Assignment Prompts

ADV 132 enables students to explore the craft and process of user experience and user interface design. They develop their skills within the context of a specific brief. The aim is to offer students the opportunity to immerse themselves in a particular problem and come up with creative solutions that will come to life on digital media platforms.