Conference Session

Innovations for the Senior Year of the ME Curriculum

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Gregory Davis, Kettering University; Craig Hoff, Kettering University

Tagged Divisions

Mechanical Engineering

in two different categories: static inspectionand engineering design, and high-performance track dynamic events. While mainly conceived asa design activity, the Formula SAE competition has also provided opportunities for research. Page 12.1573.7 Table 2. Events and Competition Point Structure for the Formula SAE Challenge.6In recent years the Formula SAE rules have stipulated the use of an impact attenuation device tolessen the severity of a frontal impact. In 2006 the rules on the attenuator were modified andspecific performance requirements were mandated. The impact attenuator was required todecelerate a 661 lb mass with a velocity of

Conference Session

Innovations for the Senior Year of the ME Curriculum

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Showkat Chowdhury, Alabama A&M University; Abdul Jalloh, Alabama A&M University; Ruben Rojas-Oviedo, Alabama A&M University; Mohamed Seif, Alabama A&M University; Amir Mobasher, Alabama A&M University

Tagged Divisions

Mechanical Engineering

have some expectation from the new graduating engineers, known as “BestPractices”. The ME Capstone Design Course utilizes the knowledge learned by the studentsin different courses for solving practical engineering problems, and prepare them for the realengineering job. A survey tool was developed in order to determine how successful theCapstone Design Course (ME470 and ME475) were in preparing the new graduatingengineers. The graduating students were asked to rate on a scale of 1 to 4, the impact theybelieve the Mechanical Engineering Capstone Design Project had in preparing them for someof the “Best Practices” expected from New Graduating Mechanical Engineers, by theindustry. The survey results were compiled and averaged, and are plotted in

Conference Session

Improving ME Education: Trends in Mechanical Engineering II

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Laila Guessous, Oakland University; Qian Zou, Oakland University; Brian Sangeorzan, Oakland University; Xia Wang, Oakland University; Chris Kobus, Oakland University; Gary Barber, Oakland University; Alex Alkidas, Oakland University; Michael Latcha, Oakland University

Tagged Divisions

Mechanical Engineering

Biodiesel ReprocessorProjects 1, 2 and 4 were part of ongoing research projects, while project 3 and 5 werespecifically designed for the purposes of the REU. Students working on projects 1 and 2 got toconduct some of their testing at industrial facilities, while those working on projects 3 and 4were given access to components and/or equipment by GM. Most of the projects wereexperimental and projects 3-5 in particular required the design and development of a newapparatus by the students. All of the students got the opportunity to use experimental techniquesor equipment that most undergraduates would rarely get a chance to use and got to interact tovarying degrees with faculty, graduate students, industry mentors and staff.Based on this initial

Conference Session

Outstanding Contributions to ME

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Paul Corder, Lamar University; Jiang Zhou, Lamar University; Kendrick Aung, Lamar University

Tagged Divisions

Mechanical Engineering

technical papers and presented several papers at national and international conferences. Page 12.1266.1© American Society for Engineering Education, 2007 Senior Design and the US Space ProgramAbstractABET defines engineering as “the profession in which a knowledge of the mathematical andnatural sciences gained by study, experience and practice is applied with judgment to developways to use economically the materials and forces of nature for the benefit of mankind.”Engineers are problem solvers. They graduate from school with a formal education and a set of“tools”. In addition to the tools of societal knowledge

Conference Session

Meeting ABET Requirements

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Kenneth Van Treuren, Baylor University

Tagged Divisions

Mechanical Engineering

availability precludeoffering ME Lab each semester. Another concern is that the students’ major lab experienceoccurs in what is usually the last semester of their academic career. Recently, Baylor Universityhas increased its emphasis on faculty research. With the current curriculum, students are nottruly prepared to support the research initiatives until they graduate. This has prompted a seriesof discussions about shifting the lab experience to the sophomore year. Students would then bebetter prepared for future laboratory and research experiences. A one credit hour fluids/thermolab would occur in the fall of the senior year leaving the spring semester of the senior year totake the capstone design course. Schedule changes are being considered and

Conference Session

Meeting ABET Requirements

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Zhengtao Deng, Alabama A&M University; Cathy Qian, Alabama A&M University; Ruben Rojas-Oviedo, Alabama A&M University

Tagged Divisions

Mechanical Engineering

Engineering graduates must demonstrate (a) an ability toapply knowledge of mathematics, science and engineering; (b) an ability to design andconduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data; (c) an ability to design asystem, component, or process to meet desired needs; (d) an ability to function inmultidisciplinary teams; (e) an ability to identify, formulate and solve engineering problems;(f) an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility; (g) an ability to communicateeffectively; (h) the broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineeringsolutions in a global and societal context; (i) a recognition of the need for and an ability toengage in life-long learning; (j) a knowledge of contemporary issues; and (k

Conference Session

Improving ME Education: Trends in Mechanical Engineering II

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Amir Jokar, Washington State University-Vancouver; Hakan Gurocak, Washington State University-Vancouver; Dave Kim, Washington State University-Vancouver; Xiaolin Chen, Washington State University-Vancouver; Hamid Rad, Washington State University-Vancouver

Tagged Divisions

Mechanical Engineering

a mechanical system based on the required specifications and constraints (criterion c), • evaluate the ethical issues while practicing and solving the real-world mechanical engineering problems (criterion f), • deliver a well-organized oral presentation, including good explanations when questioned, for the design projects at the end of semester (criterion g), • evaluate the impact of engineering solutions in a global context; in their design projects or in solving the real-world mechanical engineering problems (criterion h), • track the continuing education opportunities in mechanical engineering (criterion i), • evaluate the impact of contemporary issues, such as environmental, economic, emerging technologies, etc

Conference Session

Improving ME Instructional Laboratories

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Brian Sangeorzan, Oakland University; Laila Guessous, Oakland University

Tagged Divisions

Mechanical Engineering

AC 2007-2457: MEASURING THE ENERGY CONTENT OF FOOD: A‘RELEVANT’ FIRST LAW EXPERIMENT FOR A THERMODYNAMICS CLASSBrian Sangeorzan, Oakland University BRIAN SANGEORZAN (bsangeor@oakland.edu) is an associate professor in the department of Mechanical Engineering at Oakland University. He directs engine research activities at Oakland University and has 23 years experience teaching and conducting research in engine-related fluid and thermal phenomena.Laila Guessous, Oakland University LAILA GUESSOUS (Guessous@oakland.edu) is an assistant professor in the department of Mechanical Engineering at Oakland University. She received her M.S. (1994) and Ph.D. (1999) from the University of Michigan

Conference Session

Improving ME Instructional Laboratories

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Sorin Cioc, University of Toledo; Constantin Ciocanel, University of Toledo; K Cyril Masiulaniec, University of Toledo; Douglas Oliver, University of Toledo

Tagged Divisions

Mechanical Engineering

AC 2007-2198: LABORATORY IMPROVEMENT: A STUDENT PROJECT TODEVELOP INITIATIVE AND INNOVATION AS A PERMANENT STATE OFMINDSorin Cioc, University of Toledo Sorin Cioc is an Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering in the Department of Mechanical, Industrial, and Manufacturing Engineering (MIME), College of Engineering, University of Toledo. He received a Ph.D. degree in aerospace engineering from the Polytechnic University of Bucharest, Romania, and a Ph.D. degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Toledo. His main research and publishing area is tribology. He is a past recipient of the Wilbur Deutsch Memorial Award for the best paper on the practical aspects of lubrication

Conference Session

Outstanding Contributions to ME

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Robert Choate, Western Kentucky University; Kevin Schmaltz, Western Kentucky University; Stephen Howard, Western Kentucky University; Paul Graves, Western Kentucky University; Jonathan Martin, Western Kentucky University; Chris Kruckenberg, Western Kentucky University

Tagged Divisions

Mechanical Engineering

expectations and techniques for clarifying the Page 12.192.9ambiguity that is common in ethical dilemmas.The primary purpose of the Professional Component course sequence is to link all these skills toengineering design and to assess the progress of student capabilities through the curriculum. Theintegrated structure of the Professional Component courses provides a framework for buildingupon previous coursework, assessing student progress often, and more quickly adjusting coursecoverage based on prior assessments to effectively assure that graduates of the program arecapable of practicing as engineers upon graduation.The Professional Component as defined

Conference Session

Improving ME Education: Trends in Mechanical Engineering I

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

John Duffy, University of Massachusetts-Lowell; Linda Barrington, University of Massachusetts-Lowell; Cheryl West, University of Massachusetts-Lowell; John McKelliget, University of Massachusetts-Lowell; Eugene Niemi, University of Massachusetts-Lowell; Sammy Shina, University of Massachusetts-Lowell; Hongwei Sun, University of Massachusetts-Lowell; Chris Niezrecki, University of Massachusetts-Lowell; Robert Parkin, University of Massachusetts-Lowell; Majid Charmchi, University of Massachusetts-Lowell; Peter Avitabile, University of Massachusetts Lowell

Tagged Divisions

Mechanical Engineering

testing solar ovens. In lieu of a non-S-L assignment, 13 UML studentsfrom the Introduction to Engineering II (Mech. Eng.) class volunteered to plan and teachthese modules in 45 min. class periods.Learning objectives met by the S-L project were for UML students to: Function effectively in groups Participate in the design process within given constraints Present technical information to diverse groups using Microsoft PowerPoint Page 12.1274.15 Practice MatLab code input Use instruments and gages in a laboratory environment Graph data appropriately using Microsoft Excel and import into a Microsoft Word document

Conference Session

Improving ME Education: Trends in Mechanical Engineering II

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Nidal Al-Masoud, Central Connecticut State University; Peter Baumann, Central Connecticut State University; Alfred Gates, Central Connecticut State University; Zdzislaw Kremens, Central Connecticut State University

Tagged Divisions

Mechanical Engineering

, Poland in 1976 and 1979 respectively. He received his D.Sc. degree in Technical Sciences in 1990. His current research interests in electrical engineering include frequency control, impact of deregulation on control practices, analysis of interconnected power system and artificial intelligence. Since 1998, Dr. Kremens is dean of the School of Technology at Central Connecticut State University, USA. He is a member of a number of professional associations including ASEE, IASTED, CIGRE, and IEEE. E-mail: KremensZ@ccsu.edu Page 12.1104.1© American Society for Engineering Education, 2007

Conference Session

Innovations in Mechanical Engineering Education Poster Session

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

David Richter, Virginia Tech; Kurt Johnson, Virginia Tech; Janis Terpenny, Virginia Tech; Richard Goff, Virginia Tech

Tagged Divisions

Mechanical Engineering

AC 2007-2224: MENTORING FIRST LEGO LEAGUE: CHALLENGES ANDREWARDS OF WORKING WITH YOUTHDavid Richter, Virginia Tech David Richter is a graduate student currently pursuing a M.S. in Mechanical Engineering at Virginia Tech. He is researching interdisciplinary collaboration in engineering and education. He also has interests in enineering design, outreach programs for youth, and communication in the engineering curriculum.Kurt Johnson, Virginia Tech Kurt Johnson is a graduate student in Mechanical Engineering at Virginia Tech. He is very interested in engineering design and currently serves as one of the advisors/mentors of the Hybrid Electric Vehicle Team (HEVT) at Virginia Tech.Janis

Conference Session

Innovations in Mechanical Engineering Education Poster Session

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Kenneth Miller, Saint Cloud State University

Tagged Divisions

Mechanical Engineering

engineering programs inthe U.S. require or recommend that students take the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exambefore graduation. Examinees must be able to determine vapor properties using the printed tablessupplied. Computers and PDAs capable of running software are not allowed in the exam. This isconsistent with situation at many schools where students do not have access to a PC during tests. Page 12.140.2Survey FindingsThe original plan for this research was to determine the policy or standard practice at a numberof schools. It became readily apparent that few schools actually have a standard, written orotherwise, about teaching thermodynamics

Conference Session

Thermodynamics and Fluid Mechanics Instruction

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Philip Gerhart, University of Evansville; Andrew Gerhart, Lawrence Technological University; Bruce Cain, Mississippi State University

Tagged Divisions

Mechanical Engineering

techniques. Second, the studentsgain the insight of real-world application of these devices. Third, the student gets one finalopportunity (before graduation) to hone their presentation skills.While as a concept, using PTCs in the classroom in this manner appears to be beneficial, it wasunknown if the PTCs are a good learning tool. Therefore, an assessment has been completed todetermine if the PTCs are worthwhile and practical documents for the students to increase theirknowledge of measurement techniques and test uncertainty. PTCs 19.1, 19.2, and 19.3 wereevaluated as a learning tool based on an indirect assessment (i.e., a survey of student opinions).Students were surveyed after completing their research and presentation exercise. A copy of

Conference Session

Meeting ABET Requirements

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Michael Ward, California State University-Chico

Tagged Divisions

Mechanical Engineering

Rogers gives EC2000 implementers collective a grade of “F,” for failing to identify alimited number of performance indicators for each outcome. Based on personal observationsfrom accreditation visits, the author shares this opinion. While this is likely the most difficultelement in creating an effective assessment plan it is also the most important because it requiresfaculty to collectively decide what are appropriate measures of student learning.Like most new undertakings, much can be learned from studying the success and failure ofothers -which approaches constitute best practices, and which assessment methods should beavoided. The good news is that it is up to faculty and administrators to develop and implementassessment plans that fit

Conference Session

Meeting ABET Requirements

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Anne Spence, University of Maryland-Baltimore County; Liang Zhu, University of Maryland-Baltimore County

Tagged Divisions

Mechanical Engineering

Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at UMBC and holds a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering. Her research focuses on the effects of vascular geometry and blood perfusion on local heat transfer in microcirculation and the simulation of temperature fields in tissue during hyperthermia and hypothermia treatment for various diseases. Dr. Zhu was actively involved in the ABET data collection and analysis process. Page 12.1314.1© American Society for Engineering Education, 2007 Student Outcomes Assessment Methodology in Mechanical EngineeringIntroductionFor many years