Summer Youth Programs, in collaboration with Nina Mahmoudian (ME-EM), are accepting students into two Intro to Robotics explorations this summer.
Open to students who have completed grades 6-8, the program also has a scholarship component especially for local youth.
Read more at Tech Today, by the Center for Diversity and Inclusion.
Senior 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.
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.
L. Brad King (ME-EM/LIFT), is the principal investigator on a project that has received a $199,867 research agreement from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
Ossama Abdelkhalik (ME-EM) and Michael Roggeman (ECE) are Co-PIs on the project “Stratus: A CubeSat to Measure Cloud Structure and Winds.” This is a two-year project.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
The Michigan Tech Mobile Lab was recently in southeast Michigan delivering hands-on short courses to professional engineers at Borg Warner. The course topics were in the area of Fundamentals of Hybrid Electric Vehicles. Two courses were taught during the week of May 16.
The ME-EM Senior Recognition Banquet and Order of the Engineer Program was held on April 19, 2016.
The keynote speaker was Seth Newlin, Chief Engineer, Oshkosh Airport Products, Oshkosh Corporation. Newlin is a 1994 alumnus with both a BS and MS in Mechanical Engineering.
From time to time we observe exemplary and outstanding performance of an individual or group of individuals in Senior Capstone Design or Enterprise, and when that happens we recognize those students with an Outstanding Student Performance Award.
Nate and Alex led the team’s use of simulation and test to understand the root-cause of their design problem on Team 11 Driveline NVH Improvement for Ford Motor Company. Although Alex and Nate were responsible for different aspects of the driveline NVH, they worked together to learn how to use new simulation tools and used test data to validate models of the current driveline system. They used the models to gain insight to limitations of the current design and study the effect of design options rather than guessing or hoping for a successful prototype at the end of their project. Nate and Alex demonstrated that hard work and cooperation are key elements of a successful project.
Josh Dillon has demonstrated outstanding dedication to Formula SAE. Over the past three years, Josh held leadership positions in the FSAE Enterprise, the SAE Student Chapter, and Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity. As the 2016 FSAE Chief Engineer, Josh was responsible for the concurrent design, build, and test of three successive competition vehicles. Through these experiences in leadership roles, Josh has developed a leadership style based on responsibility and cooperation. Preparing for the 2016 competition provided many learning opportunities for FSAE leadership. The initial attempt to make a one-piece body was an epic failure. Two aspects of the chassis did not meet rules criteria; one was noted by a design judge just last week. Josh worked with the sub-team leaders to correct the issues and focus on good engineering. With Josh’s leadership, Formula SAE is looking forward to improved success at competition in May.
Marissa has performed outstanding from day 1 of the Team 19 Magna Seating Design Project. She is an excellent communicator and kept everything going smoothly between the client and MTU as well as the client and the team. She managed the team, asked for help when needed, communicated with faculty, staff, team and customer in an organized and effective manner and when the project changed scope organized the document scope rewrite and approval on the MTU and Magna Seating side. She was very effective in leading her team through a complex and challenging project and with her team tackled any challenges that occurred during the project.
Connor Kmiec is the team lead this year for the Ferro Pedal project. Not only did Connor do a great job leading this team, he differentiated himself by doing the majority of the machining work on this project. He even sacrificed his Spring Break to perform machining work when outsourcing quotes came in much more expensive than forecasted. To save time and money, Connor allowed the team to use his personal 3D printer to create prototype parts to verify fit and size. Connor also led the team to raise additional funds for this project and placed first for both the best Marketing Plan and Most Unique Visitors in the Superior Ideas Rekhi Challenge. Connor’s strong engineering skills coupled with great hands-on know how and leadership skills is exactly the type of engineer we want to represent Michigan Tech and our Mechanical Engineering department.
Dr. Endres has the following to say about Paul St. Louis, a member of Senior Design Team 4 Surgical Tool Attachment, sponsored by Stryker Instruments: Occasionally there is a student who exhibits outstanding organization and team leadership skills that keeps things well on track with great communication and scheduling. This team as a whole did very well with a great team effort, and with the great organization of this team member, things progressed incredibility smoothly. The technical results of this team are truly exciting in my opinion and I look forward to our customer taking it to the next level and ultimately a potential new product. This award goes to Paul St Louis of the Stryker Instruments Surgical Tool Hub Interface project.