Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics News

Category: News

Andrew Barnard Blogs About Sound, Ships, and Science

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Andrew Barnard
Andrew Barnard

June 24, 2016

I have begun my journey onto the Great Lakes.

For the next five days, I’ll be on a ship, learning the ins and outs of being a chief scientist with the University-National Oceanographic Laboratory System (UNOLS), a collaborative program between the National Science Foundation and Office of Naval Research.

I’ll be aboard the R/V Blue Heron, the only UNOLS research vessel in the Great Lakes. It’s about 20 feet tall, painted navy blue, with “Large Lakes Observatory, University of Minnesota” printed on the bow. This will be my home for the next several days.

Read more at Unscripted, by guest blogger and assistant professor Andrew Barnard.

In the News

Science360, a science news site published by the National Science Foundation (NSF), featured a photo as its Picture of the Day of sunset over Lake Superior, shot by Assistant Professor Andrew Barnard (ME-EM) during a University-National Oceanographic Laboratory System training cruise. See the photo here.

From Tech Today.

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Nancy Barr Presents at ASEE Annual Conference

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ASEE 2016Senior Design and Technical Communications Program Advisor Nancy Barr (MEEM) presented a paper titled “Extending Writing in the Disciplines to train mechanical engineering GTAs to evaluate student writing” at the ASEE Annual Conference in New Orleans June 27, 2016.

From Tech Today.

The ASEE (American Society for Engineering Education) Annual Conference and Exposition is the only conference dedicated to all disciplines of engineering education. It is committed to fostering the exchange of ideas, enhancing teaching methods and curriculum, and providing prime networking opportunities for engineering and technology education stakeholders such as deans, faculty members and industry and government representatives.

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UNOLS Chief Scientist Training for Andrew Barnard

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Andrew Barnard
Andrew Barnard

How many sailors does it take to set up an acoustic array? Doesn’t matter if there isn’t a trained acoustics engineer on deck. But clocking time at sea—and knowing how to arrange for experiments aboard a research vessel—is not a straightforward process. To learn more, Andrew Barnard (MEEM) is taking his underwater acoustics research on the R/V Blue Heron next week as part of a Chief Scientist Training Cruise through the University-National Oceanographic Laboratory System (UNOLS).

“The cruise is designed to teach young faculty the ins-and-outs of being a chief scientist on proposals and research expeditions aboard the UNOLS fleet,” Barnard says, adding that he will be conducting some experiments during his trip. The ship will be out from June 25 to 30, traveling from Milwaukee to Duluth.

Michigan Tech partners with UNOLS along with more than 60 other institutions and national laboratories. Learn more here and stay tuned for an Unscripted photo essay and guest blog from Barnard on his experience aboard the R/V Blue Heron.

From Tech Today, by Allison Mills.

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Mechanical Engineering MachineShop Staff Share Machining Skills with FIRST Robotics Team

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A select team of teenage robotics enthusiasts will spend next week, June 13-17, 2016, at Michigan Tech, working with Mechanical Engineering machinists Marty Toth and Bill Langdon to learn how to operate several metalworking machines including grinders, band saws, belt sanders, drill presses, mills and lathes. The students will also learn blueprint reading, how to use measuring tools and the importance of shop safety.

For more information on the workshop, contact Marlene Lappeus at mmlappeu@mtu.edu or 7-4518.

Read more at Tech Today, by Jenn Donovan.

FIRST Robotics Team members get a leg up on competitors

“They were working in garages and often maybe not even as safe as they could and they didn’t know the safe practices and also maybe not creating a part that they put in that robot and then they’re not as competitive,” said department chairman, Dr. William Predebon.

Read more and watch the video at WLUC-TV 6.

FIRST Robotics TV6

FIRST Robotics TV6

Copper Country High School students attend robotics workshop at MTU

“We had to watch a lot of safety videos before this to prepare us for this and they would show us how to run the machines,” said Danielle Lund, Houghton High School student.

Read more and watch the video at UP Matters.

FIRSTRobotics UP Matters

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SAE Presents Award Named for Professor John Johnson

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SAE 2016
SAE 2016

At the SAE 2016 World Congress in Detroit, SAE International presented the John Johnson Award for Outstanding Research in Diesel Engines to Rolf D. Reitz, a professor in the Engine Research Center at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

The award is named for Michigan Tech Presidential Professor John Johnson (ME-EM), whose expertise in the field of diesel engines spans a wide range of analysis and experimental work related to advanced engine concepts, emissions studies, fuel systems and engine simulation. Johnson is a fellow of SAE International and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.

Established in 2008, the award recognizes authors of an SAE International outstanding technical paper that addresses research advancements in diesel engines and individuals who have demonstrated outstanding leadership in research and development in the field of diesel engines through a singular accomplishment or lifetime achievement.

SAE International is a global association committed to being the ultimate knowledge source for the engineering profession.

From Tech Today, by Jenn Donovan.

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Photovoltaics and Solar-Hybrid Energy

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A new study focused on solar-hybrid energy systems using cogeneration, photovoltaics and battery technology and its potential impact in the Upper Peninsula was picked up by several media outlets including Solar Thermal Magazine, Phys.org and e! Science News.

The research was conducted by Abhilash Katamneni (CS), Richelle Winkler (SS), Joshua Pearce (ECE/MSE) and Lucia Gauchia (ECE/ME).

From Tech Today.

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Two Short Courses Offered in Engines

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Two short courses (2.5 days in duration) are being offered this month.

Both courses include laboratory components with a format that mixes traditional lecture and group discussion with hands-on experiments conducted in powertrain test-cells and through driving vehicles on the road. The courses will be available to all faculty, staff, non degree seeking students, Michigan Tech graduate students and undergraduate seniors. Both courses are one credit.

Information about the courses can be found when searching courses on Banweb. MEEM 5990 Section 49 and MEEM 5990 Section 50.

Course descriptions are as follows:

Diesel Engines-Their Combustion and Operation (June 15-17)

Topics will be covered through a mix of lecture, hands-on experimentation, group discussions and group data analysis. Both courses will be delivered from the Michigan Tech Advanced Power Systems Research Center located near the Houghton County Airport. Transportation to and from campus will be provided each day. Lunch will be provided on Thursday and Friday.

SI Engines-Their Operation & Control (June 22-24)

Topics will be covered through a mix of lecture, hands-on experimentation, group discussions and group data analysis.

Registration is now open, search for MEEM 5990 Section 49 and MEEM 5990 Section 50. Students are welcome to register for both, or just one. There are no pre-requisites, but familiarity with thermodynamics and IC engine cycles will be helpful.

Contact cjmorgan@mtu.edu,  jjworm@mtu.edu,  jnaber@mtu.edu or cmsarazi@mtu.edu if you have any questions.

From Tech Today, by APS Labs.

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