For many engineering students, writing is a chore at best. While there are some who excel at the craft, many panic at the very prospect of putting words on paper.
Yet, from their sophomore year until graduation, that’s exactly what mechanical engineering students must do to succeed in a series of three laboratory classes. To complicate matters, their reports are graded by graduate students, including many foreign nationals for whom English is a second language.
The Michigan Tech Mechanical Engineering version of the Partners for the Advancement of Collaborative Engineering Education PACE Engineering Design Competition was held in December 2013.
The Department of Mechanical Engineering–Engineering Mechanics celebrated the December 2013 Fall Semester graduating class Senior Awards Banquet and Order of the Engineer Induction on December 10, 2013 at the Memorial Union Ballroom. Timothy P. Coffield was the keynote speaker for the December 2013 ME-EM Senior Awards Banquet. However, transportation to Michigan Tech was affected by a winter storm causing flight cancellations. So he spoke to the banquet by way of the internet.
Timothy P. Coffield Biographic Sketch
Students from Principles of Energy Conversion (MEEM 4200) and Advanced Thermodynamics (MEEM 5200) presented the results of their semester-long projects on energy systems. There were 28 different projects at the symposium. A few of the projects being presented are:
Advancement of Combustion Process – RCCI Engines
Exergy Analysis of Thermal Power Plant
Factors Affecting Flame Propagation in Spark Ignition Engines
Plasma gasification and potentially its usefulness in the elimination of MSW
Space heating using a Solar Wall
Power Harvesting for Transportation Tunnels
Air Powered Vehicles
Research by Assistant Professor Mo Rastgaar and graduate student Evandro Ficanha (MEEM) is featured on the website of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. See “Computer-Controlled Prosthetic Closely Matches Action of Human Legs.” The Mumbai Mirror and Science World Report both published news stories about Assistant Professor Mo Rastgaar’s (ME-EM) work with the Mayo Clinic to develop a prosthetic foot that moves like a real human foot. See The Mumbai Mirror and Science World Report for the full story.
Assistant Professor Mo Rastgaar’s work designing and building a microprocessor-controlled artificial leg has been widely publicized, with more articles like the above appearing in IEEE Spectrum,, Medical Design Online, Gizmag,CNN, UPI Science News and many more outlets. He was also interviewed for Clear Channel One’s radio program Conversations in Health Care.
The Department of Mechanical Engineering – Engineering Mechanics Graduate Seminar; Thursday, Dec. 12, 2013, 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. Room 112, ME-EM Bldg.,
Mr. D. H. Shin, Mechanical Engineering, Chung-Ang University
Title: Wettability Changes and Fringe Patterns of Contact Lines due to the
Local Aggregation Effect on Nanofluids Droplets during Evaporation
Recently, nanofluids (NF) are of substantial interest because of their potential in exhibiting improved thermal performance. The potential of nanofluids as the next generation of cooling fluids for automobiles and electronic devices has recently led to increased research. Mr. Shin’s research is currently focusing on characterization of nanofluid droplet evaporation by using an image visualization technique of the confocal microscope system.
This presentation will introduce a recent work regarding the nanofluid droplet
evaporation: Evaporation characteristics of nanofluid droplets with various volume fractions of 50 nm alumina (Al2O3) particles are experimentally examined. The effect of particle concentrations on droplet evaporation rates is examined and the corresponding wettability changes and the total evaporation time are also examined. Next, the contact lines of nanofluids droplets during evaporation are visualized using a slit-confocal microscopy, which allows a high-speed reflected mode. As the volume fraction of nanofluids increases, the total evaporation time and the initial contact angles decreases, while the droplet perimeters increase. In order to figure out the cause of results, the triple line of the droplet is visualized to study the wetting dynamics at the initial state using a digital image analysis technique. Conclusively, nanofluids droplets have a shorter total evaporation time than DI-water droplets do. It is observed that the nanofluid droplets are the more hydrophilic on the same kind of surfaces. Those results show the feasibility of using fringe patterns of contact lines can provide instability of a contact-line region in the thin film and further explain heat and mass transfer in this region.
Mr. Dong Hwan (DH) Shin is a visiting research scholar of Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics at Michigan Technological University. He received his B.S. and M.S. in Mechanical Engineering in Chung-Ang University (CAU) in 2008 and 2010, respectively. He continues his PhD candidate in CAU, Seoul, Korea. He has already been to MTU as a visiting scholar twice in 2010 and 2012. His research interests are nanofluid and its application, evaporation of micro-droplet and its application, flame spray and its application, and computational fluid dynamics. He has published 13 journal papers and 22 proceedings.
The Department of Mechanical Engineering – Engineering Mechanics
Graduate Seminar; Thursday, Dec. 5, 2013 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. Room 112, ME-EM Bldg.
Dr. Lyon (Brad) King, The Ron and Elaine Starr Professor of Space Systems Engineering, Michigan Technological University
Titie: Advanced Space Propulsion Research at MTU
Ion thrusters, plasma rockets, and arcjets sound like the stuff of science fiction, but in reality there are more than 200 spacecraft currently in orbit that utilize these technologies. Collectively these devices are known as ‘Electric Propulsion’ (EP) since they use electrical energy to eject ionized propellant and create thrust. EP devices are used on satellites as large as 5,000 kg and also on nanosatellites as small as 1 kg. The Ion
Space Propulsion Laboratory at MTU is actively developing thrusters that cover this entire range. This seminar will present an overview of the physics and performance limitations of EP devices in general. The talk will then describe a number of active research projects at MTU including metal-propellant Hall-effect thrusters, electrospray thrusters, and exotic devices that use ferrofluids as propellant.
Dr. Lyon (Brad) King is presently the Ron and Elaine Starr Professor of Space Systems Engineering at Michigan Technological University. Dr.King earned his Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Michigan in 1998. Prior to joining Michigan Tech Dr. King was a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the National Institute of Standards and Technology Ion Storage Group in Boulder, CO. Dr. King is an experimentalist with expertise in plasma physics, spacecraft design, and electric space propulsion systems. King shared the AIAA Outstanding Paper in Electric Space Propulsion in 1999 with co-author, Dr. Alec Gallimore, for studies of particle transport in Hall Thrusters. King is presently an Associate Editor of the AIAA Journal of Propulsion and Power. King was a past Fellow of the NASA Institute for Advanced Concepts (NIAC), a member of the NASA Nuclear Space Propulsion Technology Assessment Group, and a member of the Joint Army-Navy-NASA-Air Force Space Propulsion technical From 2009 to 2011 King was the Chair of the AIAA Electric Propulsion Technical Committee. King is a recipient of the National Science Foundation Faculty Early Career Award (CAREER) and the SAE International Ralph R. Teetor Engineering Educator Award. In 2004, King received the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers in a White House ceremony for DoD-sponsored research related to advanced space propulsion systems.
The Department of Mechanical Engineering – Engineering Mechanics Graduate Seminar; Thursday, Nov. 21, 2013 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. Room 112, ME-EM Bldg. Evandro Ficanha, Michigan Technological University
Title: Ankle impedance and ankle angles during step turn and straight walk: implications for the design of a steerable ankle-foot prosthetic robot
During locomotion, turning is a common and recurring event which is largely neglected in the current state-of-the-art ankle-foot prostheses, forcing amputees to use different steering mechanisms for turning, compared to non-amputees. A better understanding of the complexities surrounding lower limb prostheses will lead to increased health and well-being of amputees. The aim of this research is to develop a steerable ankle-foot prosthesis that mimics the human ankle mechanical properties. I will present the results of a series of experiments that were conducted to estimate the mechanical impedance of the human ankle when muscles were fully relaxed and co – contracting antagonistically. Also, the results of experiments on ankle rotations during different gait scenarios will be discussed to provide evidence that a multi -axis prosthesis may be needed to improve the mobility in amputees . The results of the aforementioned experiments were used for developing the control strategy of the ankle -foot prosthesis. A prototype ankle-foot prosthesis capable of controlling both dorsi/plantarflexion and inversion/eversion using a cable driven mechanism was developed and assessed as part of a feasibility study. The design is capable of reproducing the angles required for straight walk and step turn; generates 712N of lifting force in plantarflexion, and shows passive stiffness comparable to a non-load bearing human ankle impedance. To evaluate the performance of the ankle-foot prosthesis, a circular treadmill was developed to mimic human gait during steering. Preliminary results show that the device can appropriately simulate human gait with loading and unloading the ankle joint during the gait in circular paths.
In 2011 Evandro Ficanha completed his undergraduate degree as a mechanical engineer with a minor in Math at Michigan Tech. During his undergrad studies he worked at the Math Learning Center and did undergraduate research with different professors at the Mechanical Engineering Department. In his senior design project he helped to develop a hybrid electric bicycle to be used as an educational platform for teaching the technology concept in hybrid vehicles. Evandro received the “Outstanding Student Awards” for his senior design work. His current graduate research is focused on the development of powered ankle foot prosthetic robots capable of mimicking the mechanical properties of the human ankle. Also, he is a teaching assistant for Robotics and Mechatronics lab since 2012, where he has been continuously involved in reinvigorating the laboratory experiments and syllabus. In 2012, He received the “Outstanding Graduate Student Teaching Award” for his teachings efforts in the Robotics and Mechatronics lab.
The Department of Mechanical Engineering – Engineering Mechanics Graduate Seminar; Thursday, Nov. 14, 2013 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. Room 112, ME-EM Bldg
Title: Space Engineering for the Department of Defense
“Space Engineering for the DoD: Designing and operating spacecraft for the Department of Defense is a different experience entirely than what is found in the more understood civil and commercial spacecraft engineering communities. Historical inertia, organizational bureaucracies, protection concerns, and stringent manufacturing standards all combine to complicate the acquisition of space systems for national security. This talk will present a brief history of DoD space, identify the mission classes DoD is tasked to provide for national security, and address loss of capabilities (as well as efforts to recapture) as a result of various acquisition reforms in the 90’s. The talk will conclude with an outlook for the way forward in DoD space as well as some recommendations for how US academia can interact with DoD to overcome some of these hurdles.”
Dr. Brandon “B.T.” Cesul is the Lead, Technical Assessments, Space Threat Assessment Cell assigned to the Office of Director of National Intelligence, as well as a Principal Intelligence Analyst in the Counterspace Analysis Squadron, National Air and Space Intelligence Center (NASIC), Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. NASIC is the Air Force and Defense Department Center of Excellence for all-source air and space intelligence, and supports Air Force and joint operational, acquisition and policymaking customers at the national level. Dr. Cesul is currently responsible for supervising the production of national level threat baselines used by DoD and DNI space acquisition customers as well as overseeing the production of intelligence analysis products on foreign counterspace weapon systems. Dr. Cesul began his career as a Satellite Systems Engineer at NASIC in 2002 specializing in foreign intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) satellites, as well as supervising a research effort in estimating worldwide development of small satellite technologies. He served as Team Lead for Orbital ASAT analysis from 2007-2013. Dr Cesul has been a contributing author on three National Intelligence Estimates, and author of multiple studies and briefings. In addition to being a winner of the WPAFB Civilian of the Year-Category II, a 2-time winner of the NASIC Civilian of the Year, and a Commanders Award for Merit winner, and the Squadron Civilian of the Year Cat II and Cat III. Dr. Cesul was selected in the initial class of AFISRA’s Sensor Spotlight awardees. He received his Bachelor’s (with honors) and Master’s degree from the University of Michigan. While in Ann Arbor he was elected into Sigma Gamma Tau & Tau Beta Pi engineering honor societies, was a project manager for the ICARUS student satellite team, and a student director of the Student Space Systems Fabrication Laboratory (S3FL). He received his Ph.D. from the Air Force Institute of Technology.
The National Mining Competition announced the three winners from the 2013 event. First place Michigan Tech, second place University of British Columbia, and third place Edwards School of Business.
The winning Michigan Tech Mining team, “the fabulous four,” was Cora Hemmila, Matthew Younger, Matthew Schuman and Matthew Schwalen. The team advisor is James Murray Gillis, Instructor, Geological and Mining Engineering and Sciences, Director, Mine Safety and Health Training Program.