{"title":"Introducing Students to Cogeneration Systems Using a Design and Analysis Software in Energy Systems","authors":"Yasin Naman, G. Kowalski, M. Zenouzi","doi":"10.1115/imece2021-73227","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1115/imece2021-73227","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000 An interactive software package is presented for evaluation and design of hybrid co-generation systems. This software with user-friendly interface is introduced to replace a previous graphical summary of a simulation of a Brayton Cycle-fuel cell cogeneration system in an introductory graduate course in the Energy Systems program at Northeastern University and an advanced undergraduate course at Universidad de América. The description of the software package code and how it is implemented is outlined. The code is a MATLAB simulation of a hybrid co-generation system including the analysis of the solid oxide fuel cell and reformer. While there was a small sample of students in 2020–2 class and special circumstances related to the COVD-19 restrictions, there is evidence that the software package was an improvement over the previous methodology. A written tutorial and YouTube interactive guide for students to download the software considered as an improvement by the student feedback survey.","PeriodicalId":187039,"journal":{"name":"Volume 9: Engineering Education","volume":"24 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"122676183","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"A Novel, Low-Cost Thermal System for Integrating Laboratory Experiences in Undergraduate Controls Courses","authors":"T. Terrill","doi":"10.1115/imece2021-71291","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1115/imece2021-71291","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000 Many undergraduate system dynamics & controls courses have limited laboratory experiences. In courses that include labs, many of the experiences include dynamics of motors, electrical systems, and unstable mechanical systems. The dynamics of these systems are often so fast that the system response cannot be viewed or interpreted real-time. This paper presents a novel thermal system that has been designed to address these challenges and provide meaningful lab experiences to students in undergraduate feedback control courses. The presented system offers multiple advantages that are designed to provide impactful lab experiences. The system can be used for multiple lab experiences that span the entire range of topics in a typical undergraduate controls course, including system modeling, time & frequency domain system analysis, design of controllers, and evaluation of controller performance. The system has been designed with the undergraduate student experience in mind, including the use of MATLAB for all student work, safety features that ensure minimal risk to students, and system dynamics that have been sized so that students can watch and interpret the system response real-time. The paper describes the system design and setup, along with sizing calculations used to create appropriate system dynamics. The thermal modeling used to design controllers is then detailed. The laboratory sessions are then described, including topics in thermal system modeling, system parameter identification, frequency analysis, and controller design. The paper concludes by assessing the use of the system in an undergraduate controls course and addressing topics that can be explored for future lab sessions.","PeriodicalId":187039,"journal":{"name":"Volume 9: Engineering Education","volume":"20 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"125947850","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Contrasting the Traditional Engineering and Business Approaches to the Teaching of Engineering Economics","authors":"Aaron J. Armstrong","doi":"10.1115/imece2021-73251","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1115/imece2021-73251","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000 Engineering economics instruction tends to fall within two approaches, a business-oriented approach similar to what might be taught in a business finance or cost accounting class, and an engineering-based approach which follows the solution methods and general pedagogy used with other engineering topics. These disparate approaches can lead to different learning and performance outcomes for the students of this important topic. This paper provides a background in the various methods for teaching the subject and contrasts these two general approaches. Detailed examples are provided for each approach. The various advantages and disadvantages of each approach are then discussed in terms of their respective instructional techniques and learning outcomes. A survey of the approaches used by textbooks in the topic area is then presented. The respective implications for the instruction of the topic of engineering economics as well as the broader implications for the future of the engineering profession are then discussed with directions toward future development in this area.","PeriodicalId":187039,"journal":{"name":"Volume 9: Engineering Education","volume":"79 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"121194839","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Design the Future Activities (DFA): Framework to Develop Case Studies to Incorporate Deep Understanding of the Coupling Between Technology, Society and the Future","authors":"Hadi Ali","doi":"10.1115/imece2021-73344","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1115/imece2021-73344","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000 Although engineering education research is concerned with preparing future engineers, the integration of future trends in technology with the engineering curriculum has been limited. This paper utilizes the Design the Future Activities (DFA) framework to provide guidelines for developing case studies in engineering design education to address the need for design for the future. The DFA as a framework systematically identifies and integrates emerging areas of research and technologies, such as artificial intelligence, into the teaching of engineering design. It links the contents of its three levels (Understanding technology analysis and system integration; Making a value chain, and Developing responsible innovations) with effective pedagogy for each level. Here, case studies are discussed in depth as an effective pedagogy for the second and third levels of the DFA framework. While engineers continue to be creators and influencers of such technologies, the lack of understanding of the impact of their own technologies continues to cause an imbalanced innovation landscape, in education and in the workplace. The new, revived design education approach should be attempted, assuming that educators will systematically anticipate the future and recalibrate the curriculum.","PeriodicalId":187039,"journal":{"name":"Volume 9: Engineering Education","volume":"58 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"121521700","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Strategic Management and Operational Energetic Education, Opportunity for Future Small Developers and Entrepreneurs","authors":"B. Radulescu, V. Radulescu","doi":"10.1115/imece2021-71102","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1115/imece2021-71102","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000 Romania, as part of the EU has adopted new legislation concerning international energetic exchanges, based on the rules of cooperation. This paper illustrates some new concepts and essential steps in engineering education and beyond. International rules and their implementation at national level need to be adapted to the new financial and economic realities, quite important, especially in the actual economic pandemic context. All rules and regulations are based on the market economy interconnected to the international grids, necessary in the development of business opportunities. The second part presents the analysis of the target market segmentation, based on possible new criteria. Given the objectives of analyzing attractiveness and competitiveness, the advantages of being an educated engineer based on the selection of the strategy choice are determined. Success depends on the ability to understand and generate customers. The analysis of the strategic role of small developer management to ensure competitiveness and economic efficiency is also mentioned. All new graduates, master or doctoral students specialists in power engineering will have to deal with the new strategic objectives of investments, new legislation and trends as solutions to minimize global warming, increase energy efficiency, utilization of renewable resources, and environmental protection.","PeriodicalId":187039,"journal":{"name":"Volume 9: Engineering Education","volume":"35 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"132932083","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Design of Model-Based Linear and Nonlinear Controllers to Stabilize a Simple Experimental Setup for Controls Education","authors":"Z. Ilhan","doi":"10.1115/imece2021-71863","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1115/imece2021-71863","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000 This work aims to demonstrate the use of a simple experimental setup to study and benchmark different stabilizing control algorithms for introductory to elementary controls education. The experimental setup consists of a ping-pong ball rolling on a pivoted beam. The control task is to stabilize the ball at the center of the beam by systematically changing the angle of rotation of the beam through the servomotor. A control-oriented dynamic model is first obtained based on the standard Lagrangian approach. Two different model-based control design techniques are then outlined using the developed first-principles model. First, a state-space approach based on the linear-quadratic-regulator optimal control design is proposed using the linearized (approximate) model. An integrator is added to the standard LQR design to improve upon the closed-loop tracking performance. Next, a nonlinear robust design technique is outlined using the full (nonlinear) model in Sliding-Mode Control (SMC) strategy. Challenges for each control technique are discussed based on the initial results, and possible improvement areas are addressed.","PeriodicalId":187039,"journal":{"name":"Volume 9: Engineering Education","volume":"37 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"114714178","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Computational Fluid Dynamics and Students’ Creativity","authors":"Wael A. Mokhtar","doi":"10.1115/imece2021-73009","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1115/imece2021-73009","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000 One of the known definitions of engineering is the creative application of principles. Also, one of the recent trends in engineering education is a more comprehensive view of design skills, ABET, Student Outcomes 2. The design constraints have been expanding beyond the technical requirements to include public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors. Creativity and deign are two sides of one coin. In the published literature, there is a debate if creativity can be taught and grow in students or it is a personal gift for a limited number of future engineers. In this work, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) is discussed as a tool that can grow the creativity kills in students. With the enhanced simulation environment of CFD tools, students can expand their design skills and grow their creativity beyond the limitations of physical modeling.","PeriodicalId":187039,"journal":{"name":"Volume 9: Engineering Education","volume":"33 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"125018851","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Educating Historically Black Colleges and Universities Innovators About the Commercialization of Innovation by the Customer Discovery Process","authors":"Sampson Addo, Pawan Tyagi, D. Shetty","doi":"10.1115/imece2021-69080","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1115/imece2021-69080","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) innovators lag behind their non-HBCU counterparts in the commercialization of innovations as they were originally set up as teaching and blue-collar trade institutions. There exists a strong need for education and training to bridge this gap by promoting the commercialization of innovations in HBCUs and thus transform next-generation HBCU innovators into entrepreneurs. HBCUs are promoting entrepreneurial education and mindset via changes in engineering education programs and curriculums. Several federally funded programs like the National Science Foundation (NSF) Center of Research Excellence in Science and Technology (CREST) Center for Nanotechnology Research Excellence (CNRE) are promoting innovation and intellectual property generation at HBCUs. NSF I-Corps Program supports the education and training of innovators about the commercialization of mature or patented innovations at HBCUs. The NSF I-Corps Introduction to Customer Discovery explores strategies in identifying key customer segments through extensive customer interviews, which is a fundamental step in the commercialization process. This paper discusses our educational experience in the customer discovery process for Pumpless Solar Thermal Air Heater (Patent Number 10775058). To learn about prospective customers’ attitudes and perceptions of the innovation, we conducted 30 interviews with potential customers (end users). Our innovation is focused on providing portable, cost-effective, healthy, and environmentally friendly space heating solutions. We tested several hypotheses about the value proposition of our innovation during interviews to explore the market segments for potential commercialization. During the Customer Discovery process, we came to know about new issues such as health issues caused by the dry air in winter. We also learned that mitigation of problems due to the current heating system required a humidifier to reduce health issues that added additional cost. Based on our interviews our innovation is suitable for customers needing: (i) Heating source mitigating health issues, (ii) add-on technology to reduce their heating bills. Our next step is to pursue market segments for our innovation. We plan to utilize the current experience of commercialization of intellectual property to develop training modules for the MECH 302 Undergraduate Research Experience and MECH 500 Research Methods and Technical Communication courses offered under the mechanical engineering program at the University of the District of Columbia (UDC).","PeriodicalId":187039,"journal":{"name":"Volume 9: Engineering Education","volume":"101 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"124673501","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Andrea Contreras Esquen, Jose Bonilla Martinez, P. Pena, Adeel Khalid, A. Tekes
{"title":"Visualizing Fundamental Concepts Taught in Helicopter Dynamics Course Using Matlab Simscape GUI Program","authors":"Andrea Contreras Esquen, Jose Bonilla Martinez, P. Pena, Adeel Khalid, A. Tekes","doi":"10.1115/imece2021-68607","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1115/imece2021-68607","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000 Students taking traditional undergraduate level engineering courses not only struggle with highly complex concepts but also struggle in linking the physical meaning of the derived mathematical equations. In this study, we developed a standalone and user-friendly Matlab Simscape Graphical User Interface (GUI) program to visualize the concepts presented in the undergraduate level helicopter dynamics course. The developed GUI program enables students to change the parameters of the blade including the rotor radius, blade chord, type of airfoil, material properties, the weight of the aircraft and analyze the effect of the parameter on the performance of the helicopter rotor. The program uses motion dynamics to simulate the blade movement in hover and forward flight. The Simspace GUI program is composed of four modules starting with a simplistic beam model. In the first module, the blade is considered as a simple cantilever beam where an input point load is applied at the tip of the blade either vertically down or at an angle. In the second module, the force is replaced by a radially distributed load that simulates lift distribution along the span of the blade. In the third module, the distributed load is applied to various types of airfoils ranging from symmetrical NACA airfoil to supercritical airfoils. In the fourth model, the sectional velocities vary as a function of azimuth, and the forward-moving rotor is simulated.","PeriodicalId":187039,"journal":{"name":"Volume 9: Engineering Education","volume":"27 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"132628077","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
J. Rios, Carlos Velázquez, Teddy Rakotomanana, M. Kabir, Jiajun Xu
{"title":"Generative Design of a Novel Additively Manufactured Solar Array System for Powering Space Equipment on the Lunar Surface","authors":"J. Rios, Carlos Velázquez, Teddy Rakotomanana, M. Kabir, Jiajun Xu","doi":"10.1115/imece2021-71221","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1115/imece2021-71221","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000 The moon poses harsh conditions including excessively cold 14-day nights in some locations. However, the South Pole of the moon receives sunlight 100% of the time in summer and 70% of the time in Winter. NASA is, therefore, seeking to land at the South Pole by 2024 under Artemis missions and deploy solar arrays to power landers, rovers, and other equipment in order to facilitate a sustainable presence on the moon. Artemis project also seeks to lay the groundwork for a crewed mission to the Mars. To meet the NASA needs for Artemis mission, the desired solar array system is required to cover a large surface area to maximize the capture of solar irradiance when the arrays are deployed 10 meters above the lunar terrain. Additionally, the design must be lightweight, capable of being redeployed and retracted with minimal human interaction, and can withstand lunar dust, radiation, and extreme temperatures. In the present study, a scale-down working model of the prototype (1:10th scale) is introduced with a particular emphasis on the mechanical mechanisms of telescopic boom, tower, and deployment/retraction of solar arrays. The solar arrays are encased in a cylinder that sits atop the telescopic boom and can be deployed irrespective of the boom height. This study attempts to use principles of Geometric Origami to create a novel structural design that allows for a large-diameter array to be rigid without a supporting skeletal structure. By removing the rigid supporting structure, the design becomes highly portable and easily packable and deployable. Once the design is finalized, Fusion360’s Generative Design Suite will be used to optimize the strength-to-weight ratio and manufacturability. Conducting topology optimization based on finite element modeling to meet the required criteria on the weight, strength, durability, and rigidity leads often to irregular geometries which are not possible to be fabricated using conventional manufacturing. However, additive manufacturing features the ability to develop and fabricate the proposed innovative design.","PeriodicalId":187039,"journal":{"name":"Volume 9: Engineering Education","volume":"32 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"133095081","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}