Conference Session

DELOS Best Paper Nominations

Collection

2010 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Bijan Sepahpour, The College of New Jersey

Tagged Divisions

Division Experimentation & Lab-Oriented Studies

AC 2010-958: AN IMPORTANT EXPERIMENT AND PROJECT IN THE FIRSTMEASUREMENT COURSEBijan Sepahpour, The College of New Jersey Bijan Sepahpour is a Professional Engineer and a Professor of Mechanical Engineering at The College of New Jersey (TCNJ). Currently, he is serving as the chairman of the department and is actively involved in the generation of design-oriented exercises and development of laboratory apparatus and experiments in the areas of mechanics of materials and dynamics of machinery for undergraduate engineering programs. He has served as the Chair of the Division of Experimentation and Laboratory Studies (DELOS) as well as the Mechanical Engineering Division of

Conference Session

Pedagogical Innovations in Laboratory Education

Collection

2010 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Arif Sirinterlikci, Robert Morris University; Sushil Acharya, Robert Morris University

Tagged Divisions

Division Experimentation & Lab-Oriented Studies

problem solvingprocess by experiencing it. They generate a design and see it through its development for asuccessful outcome. In the process of developing Rube Goldberg mechanisms, the students areable to practice skills such as communication, teamwork, time and project management, andexperimentation. Rube Goldberg projects also assist in maintaining students’ interest in science,mathematics and engineering. These projects are great way to teach engineering applications ofbasic science concepts such as magnetic induction, gravity, friction, or drag. This paper startswith a background on Rube Goldberg mechanisms and their utilization in engineering education.However, the main focus is given to employment of microcontrollers in Rube

Conference Session

DELOS Best Paper Nominations

Collection

2010 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Kip Coonley, Duke University; Lisa Huettel, Duke University

Tagged Divisions

Division Experimentation & Lab-Oriented Studies

design course. As a direct result ofthese curricular modifications, goal-oriented and design-focused projects have become the norm,rather than the exception. Within a year of the reform, students taking courses as part of therevised curriculum were designing projects using the very latest available integrated circuits andsoftware. As student projects increased in sophistication, a growing need for state-of-the-artSurface Mount Technology (SMT) facilities and Printed Circuit Board (PCB) etchingcapabilities was recognized. To support these projects, an SMT facility with PCB etchingcapability was developed. The use of SMT and PCB etching techniques enables students topursue much more complex and creative design projects using current, industry

Conference Session

Electrical and Computer Engineering Laboratories

Collection

2010 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Chiu Choi, University of North Florida

Tagged Divisions

Division Experimentation & Lab-Oriented Studies

simulation skillsare covered. Emphasis is on the design and simulation of proportional, derivative, and integralcontrollers for improving the dynamic responses of feedback control systems.There is a laboratory component for this course. The lab experiments include characteristics ofDC motors, tachometers, brake loading, signal conditioning circuits, implementation ofproportional, integral, and derivative controllers as C programs running on microcontrollers withapplications to position and speed controls.The students are also required to complete embedded control projects in this course. The projectsgive the students the opportunities to solve practical control problems and to be creativeindependently

Conference Session

DELOS Best Paper Nominations

Collection

2010 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Kelly Crittenden, Louisiana Tech University; David Hall, Louisiana Tech University; Patricia Brackin, Southeast Missouri State University

Tagged Divisions

Division Experimentation & Lab-Oriented Studies

AC 2010-1268: LIVING WITH THE LAB: SUSTAINABLE LAB EXPERIENCESFOR FRESHMAN ENGINEERING STUDENTSKelly Crittenden, Louisiana Tech UniversityDavid Hall, Louisiana Tech UniversityPatricia Brackin, Southeast Missouri State University Page 15.846.1© American Society for Engineering Education, 2010 Living With the Lab: Sustainable Lab Experiences for Freshman Engineering StudentsAbstractIn the United States, a movement toward project-based freshman engineering curricula began inthe 1990’s due in large part to the National Science Foundation’s Engineering EducationCoalitions. This movement continues at Universities across the country. At Louisiana

Conference Session

Electrical and Computer Engineering Laboratories

Collection

2010 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Esther Ososanya, University of the District of Columbia; Samuel Lakeou, University of the District of Columbia; Wagdy Mahmoud, University of the District of Columbia; Amarachukwu C Ukaegbu, University of the District of Columbia; Lily Kemathe, University of the District of Columbia

Tagged Divisions

Division Experimentation & Lab-Oriented Studies

Graduating Senior in Computer EngineeringPatrice Kamdem, University of the District of Columbia Graduating Senior in Electrical Engineering Page 15.350.1© American Society for Engineering Education, 2010 Design and Implementation of a Virtual Web-based Power Measurement Module for a Hybrid Renewable Power SystemAbstractThis paper presents the implementation of a hardware and software interface monitoring systemfor the power measurement and performance evaluation of a 4.54KW Solar/Wind comboRenewable Energy system designed for a Zero Energy Home. The project includes a low cost,LED based power level indicator working

Conference Session

Electrical and Computer Engineering Laboratories

Collection

2010 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Yu-Wei Huang, National Changhua University of Education; Jieh-Shian Young, National Changhua University of Education; Chih-Hung Wu, Chienkuo Technology University; Hsing-Jung Li, National Chung Cheng University

Tagged Divisions

Division Experimentation & Lab-Oriented Studies

engineering design for their future related works. We design a practicecourse to train students to integrate discipline-specific components into embedded systemsand learn the subject-matter deeper through a vertical integration. Focusing on a specific andmulti-disciplinary design project gives the students a helpful train to apply design principles,but they have difficulties in absorbing what they have learned and applying their learning toother projects. This course encourages students to integrate different and related knowledgeinto experiments, and it provides students training on the design details of OBD, electriccircuit design, and embedded system. We designs a practical implementation course to teachmulti-disciplinary skills of vehicle

Conference Session

Electrical and Computer Engineering Laboratories

Collection

2010 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Ahmed Rubaai, Howard University

Tagged Divisions

Division Experimentation & Lab-Oriented Studies

AC 2010-462: LABORATORY INNOVATIONS IN UNDERGRADUATE CONTROLENGINEERING EDUCATIONAhmed Rubaai, Howard University Ahmed Rubaai received the M.S.E.E degree from Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, in 1983, and the Dr. Eng. degree from Cleveland State University, Cleveland, Ohio, in 1988. In 1988, he joined Howard University, Washington, D.C., as a faculty member, where he is presently a Professor of Electrical Engineering. He is the Founder and Lead Developer of Howard University Motion Control and Drives Laboratory and is actively involved in many projects with industry, while engaged in teaching, research and consulting in the area of artificial intelligence and motion controls. His

Conference Session

Electrical and Computer Engineering Laboratories

Collection

2010 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Thomas Schubert, University of San Diego; Ernest Kim, University of San Diego; Frank Jacobitz, University of San Diego

Tagged Divisions

Division Experimentation & Lab-Oriented Studies

decided to develop a three-phase system with similarly low voltage andpower levels. Previous success with subfractional-horsepower (<5W) DC motors1 also led theteam of USD engineering faculty to believe that such an effort would be fruitful.Low-voltage three-phase sources generally are not commercially available, nor was it obviouswhere appropriate AC motors could be found. One of the USD faculty team members isengaged in consulting activities centered on environmentally “green” toys. In the course of thatwork, a “mini dynamo massager”2 was dissected and discovered to have a three-phase five-voltgenerator. This generator fulfilled the basic requirements and was chosen as the initial motor forthis project. Unable to find appropriate commercial

Conference Session

DELOS Best Paper Nominations

Collection

2010 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Mary Satterfield, National Institute of Standards and Technology; Susan Heller-Zeisler, National Institute of Standards and Technology

Tagged Divisions

Division Experimentation & Lab-Oriented Studies

7the teachers, they area valuable resource as to what worked and what did not to encourage themto study science and engineering. Additionally, since SURF students are involved in researchwith NIST scientists they are often in the process of learning about how science is done and arereadily able and willing to explain what they are learning. SURF students who volunteer to meetone-on-one with the teachers are usually easily able to explain their project, demonstrate someexperiments, and show off their labs in ways some of the NIST scientists have long ago movedbeyond.When NIST staff (i.e. scientists, engineers, mathematicians, statisticians, etc.) and SURFstudents volunteer to participate in the NIST Summer Institute one-on-one visits they are

Conference Session

DELOS Best Paper Nominations

Collection

2010 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Dawn Spencer, Colorado State University, Pueblo; Nebojsa Jaksic, Colorado State University, Pueblo

Tagged Divisions

Division Experimentation & Lab-Oriented Studies

requirements, hardware requirements, and softwarerequirements including maintenance are often considered bottlenecks in program expansions, orjust in keeping these programs current. When limited space or funds confine the labenvironment, a stable, yet flexible, laboratory environment that can quickly be configured fornew or updated courses becomes a necessity.CIS, CS, and other technology-based programs rely heavily on computer laboratories to serve asthe major resource for implementing active and project-based learning in a university setting.The literature reviewed shows positive results such as increased student enthusiasm towards theirprograms of study, perceptual and actual increases in students’ knowledge, and development ofdesign and team

Conference Session

Pedagogical Innovations in Laboratory Education

Collection

2010 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Glen Archer, Michigan Technological University; Kedmon Hungwe, Michigan Technological University; Luke Mounsey, Michigan Technological University

Tagged Divisions

Division Experimentation & Lab-Oriented Studies

Baptist College in Gaylord, MI. He enjoys hiking, camping, fishing, and the occasional random research project. Page 15.914.1© American Society for Engineering Education, 2010 New directions in engineering education: The development of a virtual lab course in electronic circuits.Abstract – The development of virtual education satisfying the needs of engineeringeducation is getting increased attention in the current era of Web and virtual technologies.In this paper, we present the rationale, implementation and formative evaluation of avirtual lab environment for an electronic circuits course. The system, which is

Conference Session

Mechanical and Architectural Engineering Laboratories

Collection

2010 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Anthony Toyama, Texas A&M University at Qatar; Reza Sadr, Texas A&M University at Qatar

Tagged Divisions

Division Experimentation & Lab-Oriented Studies

the local industry, in this case mainly oil andgas, without the need for overseas migration in order to obtain their education. Given theirdiverse backgrounds and their attendance to a certified Western higher education system,successful graduates will be capable of pursuing engineering projects on the local and globalscale.6Despite the drive of the Regional students to enter engineering disciplines, summaries of industryviews on Regional engineering graduates reveal that they are seen to be especially deficient interms of hands-on experience, team work, and independent critical thinking.7 It is thereforeespecially important to foster any industry links with the students—including the simulation ofday-to-day practice and equipment in order to