Conference Session

ECCNE Technical Session 1 - Nuclear Engineering

Collection

2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Ira Harkness, University of Florida

Tagged Divisions

Conservation and Nuclear Engineering Division (ECCNE), Energy Conversion

engineeringcourses, then a results and discussion section, and finally a section to conclude.BackgroundLiterature ReviewThere has been an argument for giving social science issues more prominence in engineeringcurricula, as a thorough understanding of the social world is crucial to successful engineering [1].Holistic engineering education combines traditional engineering coursework with subjects likeeconomics, sociology, psychology, business, and other disciplines, creating engineers who arecapable of leading multidisciplinary teams and driving innovation [2]. In essence, holisticengineering education integrates all knowledge to some purpose [3]. The aim is to produceengineers who are capable of engineering in sustainable and socially responsible ways.In

Conference Session

ECCNE Technical Session 1 - Nuclear Engineering

Collection

2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Katie Snyder, University of Michigan; Aditi Verma, University of Michigan; Aisha Jagne, University of Michigan; Andy Pham, University of Michigan

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Conservation and Nuclear Engineering Division (ECCNE), Energy Conversion

plausible [1]. While the nuclear industry‬‭has long sought to increase its workforce, the United States’ recent commitment to triple its‬‭nuclear capacity by 2050 has intensified this need [2]. National Labs and the private sector alike‬‭seek employees with nuclear and nuclear-related expertise, even as student and public interest‬‭remains somewhat lower than other engineering disciplines and careers [2]. At the same time, the‬‭nuclear community continues to seek a diverse workforce, knowing that diversity improves work‬‭quality and innovation across project teams and organizations. Nuclear engineering as a‬‭discipline has also committed to, in recent years, rectifying injustices of the past, where‬‭minoritized communities were taken advantage of

Conference Session

ECCNE Technical Session 1 - Nuclear Engineering

Collection

2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

DuWayne Schubring, University of Florida; Ira Harkness, University of Florida; Andreas Enqvist

Tagged Divisions

Conservation and Nuclear Engineering Division (ECCNE), Energy Conversion

NEP Curriculum at the University of Florida was found to be out of step with theconsensus in the following ways: • 0/10 required an ethics course. • 0/10 required a course in probabilistic risk assessment. • 0/10 allowed biology to count as technical. • Only 2/10 required a course in statistics. • 6/10 required a course in economics or the financial aspects of engineering. • 9/10 have fewer than 5 credits in shielding and radiation protection (0 in 4 programs). • 10/10 have more computational credits.In two areas, particularly wide variations among the set of ten programs were found. First, thearrangements of Physics 1 (typically mechanics) and engineering mechanics (statics, dynamics,and mechanics of materials) were

Conference Session

ECCNE Technical Session 1 - Nuclear Engineering

Collection

2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Tina Baradaran; Jennifer Stansby; Mihail Ionescu; Edward Obbard

Tagged Divisions

Conservation and Nuclear Engineering Division (ECCNE), Energy Conversion

writing competency statements in the civil service is theS.T.A.R model (Civil Service Resourcing, 2016). This model provides all the relevantinformation about the specific capability that the role requires. The Situation provides thetitle and gives the context of the role. The Task starts with an action verb and provides theinformation on what is being done. The Activity explains the actions that lead to the result,i.e. detailing how the task is being accomplished. The Result showcases the outcomes of theactions. The situation and the task are kept brief while the actions and the result are detailed.Figure 1. shows an example of the S.T.A.R method utilized for analyzing PD accountability.PD Accountability:STAR Statement:Figure 1. Position

Conference Session

ECCNE Technical Session 1 - Nuclear Engineering

Collection

2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Lily Ranjbar, Oregon State University

Tagged Divisions

Conservation and Nuclear Engineering Division (ECCNE), Energy Conversion

: Assessing Student Cognitive Engagement in an Interactive Advanced Virtual Radiation Detection and Measurement Lab Lily Ranjbar1, Lincoln Worley1 1 Oregon State UniversityThis study aims to assess student cognitive engagement in a novel interactive virtual radiationdetection and measurement lab developed for nuclear science and engineering education. Asvirtual labs become increasingly vital for delivering flexible and scalable technical training, thisresearch aims to investigate how students interact with simulated radiation detection systemsand with each other in the virtual environment and analyze real-time data to enhance

Conference Session

ECCNE Technical Session 3 - Energy and Society

Collection

2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Matthew Aldeman, Illinois State University; Connii Dyar, Illinois State University; Matthew Hagaman, Illinois State University

Tagged Divisions

Conservation and Nuclear Engineering Division (ECCNE), Energy Conversion

Wind TurbinesProject DescriptionA large body of literature suggests that self-directed projects enhance student learning. Studentsare often enthusiastic about the experiences that they gain through class projects [1], and studentsand faculty alike often feel that collaborative team experiences are essential to their developmentas engineering professionals [2, 3]. Student projects also aid in student identity development [4]and are particularly useful for student exploration of topics that are important but very recent andhave not yet been integrated into standard curriculum [5, 6]. This is especially true when theprojects relate to topics that the students perceive as culturally important, such as projectsaddressing climate change and

Conference Session

ECCNE Technical Session 3 - Energy and Society

Collection

2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Tony Lee Kerzmann, University of Pittsburgh; David V.P. Sanchez, University of Pittsburgh; Suraya Rahim, University of Pittsburgh

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Conservation and Nuclear Engineering Division (ECCNE), Energy Conversion

engineering programs who are accredited by theAccreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). ABET Outcome 5 of the sevenstudent outcomes states that graduating engineering students should attain, “an ability to functioneffectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative andinclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives [1].” Therefore, it isimperative for the University of Pittsburgh engineering programs to engage their students ineffective teamwork throughout their undergraduate education.Teamwork is important in interdisciplinary projects as it brings diverse ideas, skills, andapproaches together. Likewise, different students have different skills, and their personal trialsand

Conference Session

ECCNE Technical Session 3 - Energy and Society

Collection

2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Teodora Rutar Shuman, Seattle University

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Conservation and Nuclear Engineering Division (ECCNE), Energy Conversion

throughout an engineeringcurriculum, but that commands the development of a new mindset for faculty and students. Thisnew mindset requires a fundamental change to how engineering is taught.This paper focuses on implementing two EOP Systems Thinking outcomes in a 4th-yearThermodynamics course. The outcomes are:EOP Systems Thinking 1: “Explain interconnectedness (e.g., intersecting, related and/orconnected systems; human actions and global environmental and social impacts andconsequences; synergies and rebound effects) and how all human-made designs and activitiesrely upon and are embedded within ecological and social systems”EOP Systems Thinking 3: “Apply relevant concepts from required disciplines to the study of real-world problems and their

Conference Session

ECCNE Technical Session 3 - Energy and Society

Collection

2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Brian Patrick Murphy, SUNY Buffalo State University

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Conservation and Nuclear Engineering Division (ECCNE), Energy Conversion

: Naval Engineer degree - Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), MS in Mechanical Engineering - MIT, and MS in Ocean Systems Management - MIT. Energy Engineering and Mechanical Engineering Technology BS from Rochester Institute of Technology. Career: 1. Commander, United States Navy, Submarine and Engineering Duty Officer (Retired 2008). 2. Manufacturing Operations Manager and Continuous Improvement (Through 2017) Engineer. 3. Mechanical Engineering Technology Professor (2018 to Present). Licenses: Six-Sigma Blackbelt License from the American Society for Quality, PE in Mechanical Engineering, Department of Energy (DOE) Certified Nuclear Engineer. North American Board of Certified Energy Professionals (NABCEP

Conference Session

Energy Conversion, Conservation and Nuclear Engineering Division (ECCNE) Poster Session

Collection

2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Jonathan William Ross, Drexel University; Karen Miu Miller, Drexel University; Christopher Wayne Peters, Drexel University

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Conservation and Nuclear Engineering Division (ECCNE), Energy Conversion

power plant design.1 IntroductionNuclear power plant design requires cohorts of engineers trained in various aspects of reactortheory, thermal-hydraulic analysis, and power system stability. Several fields of study mustsynergize to effectively harness the power of the atom; yet most undergraduates are unfamiliarwith the fundamentals of atomic physics, radiation interaction, and basic reactor theory. Thus, alayered, hands-on simulation approach can provide confidence and foster proficiency in keyeducational topics across multiple disciplines.To this end, one can find several institutions whose organizational goals include the advancementof nuclear education and safety with simulation tools. The Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA)maintains a catalogue

Conference Session

ECCNE Technical Session 2 - Alternative Energy Sources

Collection

2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Barry Hinds, Sam Houston State University; Reg Pecen, Sam Houston State University; Iftekhar Ibne Basith, Sam Houston State University

Tagged Divisions

Conservation and Nuclear Engineering Division (ECCNE), Energy Conversion

) technology is on the rise with many companies producing commerciallyavailable products, most of these companies are independent and only produce such products,although larger manufacturers are slowly gaining traction in the market. The front runner of theseindependent companies is Zero Motorcycles that offer three models with varying sub-models, andeach is at the cutting edge of electric motorcycle technology [1]. The three models have vastlydifferent performance specifications, but each carries a price tag between $12,000 and $25,000.These prices are high, and the average motorcycle cost for the last 4 years was around $12,000 [2].Much lower cost alternatives are available from Chinese manufacturers but the performance ofthese products is similar

Conference Session

ECCNE Technical Session 2 - Alternative Energy Sources

Collection

2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Lihong Heidi Jiao, Grand Valley State University

Tagged Divisions

Conservation and Nuclear Engineering Division (ECCNE), Energy Conversion

competence. Several casestudies are presented, highlighting student-led projects focused on small-scale PV system designand performance evaluations. The results indicate that students not only achieve higher levels oftechnical mastery but also exhibit improved creativity and innovation in problem-solving.Feedback from students suggests that PBL fosters practical readiness, essential for careers inphotovoltaic engineering. The paper concludes that PBL is an effective pedagogical model for PVsystems education, combining theoretical rigor with experiential learning to meet the needs of agrowing renewable energy industry.1. IntroductionThe transition to renewable energy sources has become a global priority, driven by the urgent needto meet growing

Conference Session

ECCNE Technical Session 2 - Alternative Energy Sources

Collection

2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

John R. Reisel P.E., University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

Tagged Divisions

Conservation and Nuclear Engineering Division (ECCNE), Energy Conversion

more ready to face the challenges posed by complex problems with no simplesolution.To help build more entrepreneurial thinking and creativity into the students’ education, theauthor has modified earlier design projects in two senior-level technical electives in theMechanical Engineering Department at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM). Oneof these modified projects is described elsewhere.1 The second modified project is in a second-semester Thermodynamics course, and is described in this paper.The design project builds from the concept of project-based learning2,3 which is not new, andexists in a wide variety of forms. Ulseth et al.4 used projects that directly connect students to anindustrial sponsor to work on a solution to a real

Conference Session

ECCNE Technical Session 2 - Alternative Energy Sources

Collection

2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Reg Pecen, Sam Houston State University; Faruk Yildiz, Sam Houston State University; Ulan Dakeev, Sam Houston State University

Tagged Divisions

Conservation and Nuclear Engineering Division (ECCNE), Energy Conversion

tabletop microgrid demonstration project, it is imperative to establish acomprehensive understanding of the key concepts and components involved. Microgrid Concept:A microgrid represents a sophisticated energy distribution system designed to enhance thereliability, resiliency, and efficiency of power supply within a localized area. The concept ofmicrogrid was initially presented in the technical literature by Lasseter [1-3] as a solution tointegrate distributed energy resources, including Energy Storage Systems (ESSs) andcontrolled loads reliably. There are a number of definitions of microgrids in the engineeringliterature [3-4]. The basic definition of a microgrid by the U.S. Department of Energy is “Agroup of interconnected loads and

Conference Session

ECCNE Technical Session 3 - Energy and Society

Collection

2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Peter John Garforth, Garforth International; Michael A. Nealon, Henry Ford College; Nicholas Paseiro, Henry Ford College; Herbert Sinnock, Sheridan College; Lynn A. Albers, Hofstra University

Tagged Divisions

Conservation and Nuclear Engineering Division (ECCNE), Energy Conversion

K-20 STEM Outreach while a National Science Foundation Fellow with the GK-12 Outreach Program at NCSU where she began Energy Clubs, an out-of-school-time program for third, fourth and fifth graders to introduce them to renewable energy. ©American Society for Engineering Education, 2025 Campus and Community Decarbonization – Campus as a Living Classroom of Transformative Energy PerformanceBackgroundIn the USA and Canada, hundreds of municipalities [1] and corporations [2], along with thousandsof universities and colleges, have the goal to decarbonize their entire operations by no later than2050. This goal is also commonly

Conference Session

Energy Conversion, Conservation and Nuclear Engineering Division (ECCNE) Poster Session

Collection

2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Hamid S Timorabadi P.Eng., University of Toronto; Yucheng Zhang, University of Toronto

Tagged Divisions

Conservation and Nuclear Engineering Division (ECCNE), Energy Conversion

, requiringfewer components and less programming expertise. While single-axis trackers do illustratehow tracking can boost efficiency [1], they offer less educational value compared to dual-axissystems. Dual-axis technology not only delivers a more comprehensive learning experiencebut also encompasses the essential knowledge needed for building simpler trackingimplementations like single-axis. Consequently, mastering a dual-axis setup inherently equipsstudents with the skills to explore new concepts of tracking systems. On the other hand, fixedsolar panel installations are even easier to set up, making them cost-effective and accessible[2]. Still, they lack any active tracking mechanism, meaning they fall short of deliveringhands-on experience with real

Conference Session

ECCNE Technical Session 2 - Alternative Energy Sources

Collection

2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Jonathan Tyler Prince, United States Coast Guard Academy; John Rex Adong Gaviola, United States Coast Guard Academy; Sontino Allentuck; Jeffrey Edward Hartung; Tooran Emami Ph. D., United States Coast Guard Academy; Daniel Burke PE; James Meyers

Tagged Divisions

Conservation and Nuclear Engineering Division (ECCNE), Energy Conversion

. This project seeks to improve the Coast Guard’s experience with the control systemsput in place to integrate hydrogen power with other sources of energy, as well as a desired load.Setting the goal of fabricating a remote-operated vessel that uses an autonomous power system,this project embarks on the path to bring a more ‘intelligent’ design into power management forhybrid maritime vessels.When hydrogen power is mentioned in today’s world, the first thing that comes to mind is thetragedy of the Hindenburg, a blimp filled with hydrogen gas that exploded and cost dozens oflives [1]. However, as the world turns to alternative energy sources, the stigma toward hydrogenis beginning to change.In July 2024, the world’s first hybrid hydrogen-powered

Conference Session

Energy Conversion, Conservation and Nuclear Engineering Division (ECCNE) Poster Session

Collection

2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Jalal Rastegary, New Mexico State University; Patricia A. Sullivan, New Mexico State University; Marissa Rae Montoya, New Mexico State University

Tagged Divisions

Conservation and Nuclear Engineering Division (ECCNE), Energy Conversion

methodology employed in this study involved a systematic, multi-phase approach designed tocapture detailed and replicable data. The steps included: 1. Data Collection: Utility bills, equipment specifications, and operational data were analyzed to establish baseline metrics for energy, water, and resource usage. This step ensured that the assessment was grounded in accurate, comprehensive data. 2. On-Site Assessment: A comprehensive walkthrough of the facility was conducted, focusing on key areas such as: o Equipment efficiency and maintenance. o Lighting systems and HVAC performance. o Water usage patterns and waste management practices. This stage involved detailed documentation and