Conference Session

Energy Conversion, Conservation and Nuclear Engineering Division (ECCNE) Technical Session 1

Collection

2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Antony Kinyua, Morgan State University

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Conservation and Nuclear Engineering Division (ECCNE), Energy Conversion

University (HBCU); Experiment-Centric Pedagogy (ECP); Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM). 1IntroductionThe overall goal of our project is to identify existing and future gaps in our country’s nuclear energyworkforce and to bring to the pool a trained workforce of minority students graduating from our HBCUs.This is important because the Board on Higher Education and Workforce (BHEW) at the USA NationalAcademies of Sciences Medicine and Engineering (NASEM) continues to provide the academiccommunity, policymakers, and businesses with insights and recommendations on critical highereducation and workforce issues facing our nation [1]. Secondly, BHEW previously identified that

Conference Session

Energy Conversion, Conservation and Nuclear Engineering Division (ECCNE) Technical Session 1

Collection

2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Matthew Aldeman, Illinois State University; James Mathias, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale; Daniel Austin Darcy, Illinois State University; Cheron James Elms; Kaitlyn Marie Quinn; Douglas Andracki

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Conservation and Nuclear Engineering Division (ECCNE), Energy Conversion

incorporating materials thatencourage students to gain confidence and understanding in sustainable energy-related topics. Atthe conclusion of the project, the materials that were developed were placed in STEM lendinglibraries maintained at the two universities so that the materials will be accessible to futuregenerations of middle and high school students. Any educational organization in the state mayborrow the classroom sets of lab activities at no cost. The goals of the project were: 1) Through their engagement in the project, the fourundergraduate students will gain an improved understanding of energy topics, allowing them tomatriculate into STEM and sustainable energy-related career fields, as well as gaining anappreciation for how access to

Conference Session

Energy Conversion, Conservation and Nuclear Engineering Division (ECCNE) Technical Session 1

Collection

2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Jude Okolie, University of Oklahoma ; Emma Kadence Smith, University of Oklahoma

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Conservation and Nuclear Engineering Division (ECCNE), Energy Conversion

industry, like choosing the right product or process.Experienced teachers and students have tried this game and given their opinions. Based on theirfeedback, the game can be easily added to current teaching programs.Keywords: Virtual reality; Hydrogen; Life cycle assessment; Techno-economic evaluation;sustainability.1. Introduction Hydrogen holds immense promise as an energy carrier, offering diverse applications.Hydrogen’s unique properties, such as being colorless and odorless, coupled with itsenvironmentally friendly combustion byproduct (water vapor), make it an attractive option forvarious sectors. Figure 1 highlights some of the most notable hydrogen uses. However, about 96% of the hydrogen used today is

Conference Session

Energy Conversion, Conservation and Nuclear Engineering Division (ECCNE) Technical Session 1

Collection

2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Aditi Verma, University of Michigan; Katie Snyder, University of Michigan

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Conservation and Nuclear Engineering Division (ECCNE), Energy Conversion

2022) were modeled onmale bodies[1]; facial-recognition technologies frequently misidentify Black individuals[2]; soapdispensers fail to operate for dark-skinned people (only recognizing light skin tones); the healtheffects of radiation are characterized for ‘reference man’ (170 cm tall, 20-30-year-old Caucasianmale, weighing 70kg). Engineer-designers, implicitly or explicitly, assume a ‘reference man’.Most of us are not reference man, and if ever, will only be reference man for a brief period in ourlives. In this way, we engineers effectively design technologies that serve but a few well andpoorly serve others, if at all.The problem becomes even thornier for complex sociotechnical systems –including most energytechnologies, especially nuclear

Conference Session

Energy Conversion, Conservation and Nuclear Engineering Division (ECCNE) Technical Session 3

Collection

2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Hua Chai, University of New South Wales ; Jayashri Ravishankar, University of New South Wales; Inmaculada Tomeo-Reyes, University of New South Wales

Tagged Divisions

Conservation and Nuclear Engineering Division (ECCNE), Energy Conversion

competencies, innovative pedagogy, andindustry-relevant skills into engineering education, which points out the necessity for rapidadaptation in educational institutions to match industry advancements. The study also exploresthe model’s transferability across various engineering disciplines to demonstrate its broadapplicability. Recommendations focus on enhancing industry-academia collaboration, clearpolicy interpretation, continuous professional development for engineering academics, andstrategic curriculum updates.Keywords—energy policy, industry demand, curriculum development, renewable energy.1. Introduction The evolving landscape of the energy sector presents new challenges and opportunities inengineering education, considering a significant

Conference Session

Energy Conversion, Conservation and Nuclear Engineering Division (ECCNE) Technical Session 2

Collection

2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Camille S. Levine, University of Maryland; Samantha Ellen Wismer, University of Maryland ; Ryan Painter; Katrina Groth, University of Maryland

Tagged Divisions

Conservation and Nuclear Engineering Division (ECCNE), Energy Conversion

curators, and exhibitdesigners during its developmental stages. Exhibits that are relatable and interactive can provideengaging and effective learning opportunities to a broad range of visitors.Interactive science museum exhibits tend to promote open-ended exploration of concepts, butthis open-endedness also means that meaningful interactions are dependent on an individual’sattention and motivation levels [1]. If a particular exhibit takes too much effort to understand,especially toward the end of a museum experience, the visitor will turn to another exhibit [2].Many museums seek to foster active prolonged engagement (APE) with their educationalcontent. APE comprises several types of museum visitor behavior: questioning that drivesexploration

Conference Session

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

Collection

2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Mohammad Abu Rafe Biswas, The University of Texas at Tyler; Aaditya Khanal, The University of Texas at Tyler; Prabha Sundaravadivel, The University of Texas at Tyler

Tagged Divisions

Conservation and Nuclear Engineering Division (ECCNE), Energy Conversion

to reducing GHG emissions through renewable energy sources,improvement in efficiency, or novel technologies. The courses included modules covering two supervisedmachine learning algorithms, video lectures, and tutorials for analyzing and evaluating data sets of eachtechnology using computational tools. Finally, indirect and direct assessments were carried out, includingpre- and post-course qualitative surveys completed by students to assess the impact of the modules andcourse. Based on the results from the current work, future implementation will aim to (1) expand andimplement additional machine learning instructional and training modules for sustainability projects usingexperiential learning, (2) promote a data-driven approach to solving

Conference Session

Energy Conversion, Conservation and Nuclear Engineering Division (ECCNE) Technical Session 2

Collection

2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Reg Recayi Pecen, Sam Houston State University; Paul Aden Paschal, Sam Houston State University

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Conservation and Nuclear Engineering Division (ECCNE), Energy Conversion

charge controller allows for the charging process to be more efficient [1]. Ourapproach involves utilizing an MPPT solar charge controller to enable the efficient draw ofpower and charging of LiFePO4 batteries from the PV panels. Human control withmicrocontrollers is an important consideration. When a microcontroller is combined with a webserver, it provides an opportunity to develop a user-friendly interface that can be accessedthrough a local network. Such an interface facilitates convenient management, access, andmonitoring of the system environment for users [2]. A microcontroller presents an efficientapproach for managing solar energy systems. With controlling and monitoring featuresintegrated into a microcontroller, users can bypass the

Conference Session

Energy Conversion, Conservation and Nuclear Engineering Division (ECCNE) Technical Session 3

Collection

2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Robert J. Kerestes, University of Pittsburgh; Renee M. Clark, University of Pittsburgh

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Conservation and Nuclear Engineering Division (ECCNE), Energy Conversion

-learning environment. Preliminary results from the initial offering of this course are presentedalong with the logistics involved in establishing and running the course.1. IntroductionOne of the benefits to having a Study Abroad program is contacts with faculty and instructors atinternational universities that can be leveraged in times of opportunity and need. During theCOVID-19 crisis, travel abroad by university students for study or research was not possible.However, in such cases, is an impactful “international” experience still possible for students?Perhaps if you can get creative and be flexible, it is!During the middle phase of the remote instructional period due to COVID (i.e., fall 2020), itbecame clear that travel abroad for coursework

Conference Session

Energy Conversion, Conservation and Nuclear Engineering Division (ECCNE) Technical Session 2

Collection

2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Giselle S. Veach, University of Idaho; Herbert L. Hess, University of Idaho

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Conservation and Nuclear Engineering Division (ECCNE), Energy Conversion

novel type of electric machine being developed at the University of Idaho requires the use of acontinuous annulus of high conductivity material bonded within a laminated core. Due tomaterials shortages caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in addition to supply chain snagsbecause of the offshore sourcing and development of materials such as copper and aluminum, ithas become expensive to create this annulus from copper. When considering aluminum,however, it has also become impossible to purchase a piece of aluminum of the desired extrudedprofile from an electrically conductive alloy. From sources [1] and [2] it is evident that thisproblem has been growing for many years and extends to manufacturers within and without theUnited States, who are often

Conference Session

Energy Conversion, Conservation and Nuclear Engineering Division (ECCNE) Technical Session 2

Collection

2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Jason Andrew Roney, University of Denver

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Conservation and Nuclear Engineering Division (ECCNE), Energy Conversion

skills that arevaluable in addressing complex real-world challenges in any engineering field. When studentsstudy the impact of different energy sources on the environment, they may conclude thatsustainable alternatives such as renewable energy are more viable. Likewise, exposing studentsto cutting-edge technologies fosters innovation in the field, since the field of energy is constantlyevolving, with new technologies emerging to improve energy efficiency, reduce emissions, andharness renewable energy sources.Coming from an industry position, and having attended a few pedogeological workshops, I wascertain that the route to engaging the students was to engage them in Project Based Learning(PBL) and Experiential Learning (EL) [1], [2]. At the same

Conference Session

Energy Conversion, Conservation and Nuclear Engineering Division (ECCNE) Technical Session 3

Collection

2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Il Yoon, University of North Georgia; Chandler Levi Davis, University of North Georgia

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Conservation and Nuclear Engineering Division (ECCNE), Energy Conversion

surfaces were performed using water as asafe alternative to DBT. The research successfully visualized bubble formation on the surface ofthe catalyst, and the custom MATLAB code measured bubble volumes. The promising resultsobtained with water as a substitute offer a foundation for future research using DBT. Suggestionswere made to simplify the procedure to be easily used in lab class settings. It is expected thatperforming this lab procedure will help students understand that hydrogen is considered a futureenergy source, as well as its limitations.1. IntroductionScientific data has indicated that climate change is ongoing. The average global temperaturecontinues to rise, and sea levels are steadily increasing [1], [2]. Climate change leads to

Conference Session

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

Collection

2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Mansour Zenouzi, Wentworth Institute of Technology; John Peter Voccio, Wentworth Institute of Technology

Tagged Divisions

Conservation and Nuclear Engineering Division (ECCNE), Energy Conversion

extremely important to becovered in mechanical engineering courses, as these new technologies will require a morefundamental, broader-based education, even at the undergraduate level.1. Introduction:The world needs to reduce carbon emissions to combat climate change. Decarbonization of theeconomy, shifting to electricity produced with low-carbon energy sources and building upadequate capacity of renewable energy will take time. The events of 2022 caused ongoing energysecurity and crises in Europe. Additionally, at the COP28 UAE United Nation Climate ChangeConference, in which two hundred countries participated, there was a failure to mandate “phase-out” of fossil fuel; instead, they merely promised to transition away from fossil fuel. Realistically

Conference Session

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

Collection

2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Jin Ho Jo, Illinois State University; Gabrielle Grace Hershey, Illinois State University; Daniel Patrick Gibson

Tagged Divisions

Conservation and Nuclear Engineering Division (ECCNE), Energy Conversion

participation in the competition, and they intend toencourage at least one student group to participate in the competition in the future. This paperaims to document the unique opportunity for students to leverage the national competition astheir renewable energy capstone, detail the learning outcomes, and promote the exchange ofideas among educators in related fields.1. Introduction Higher educational institutions are vital in reducing energy consumption and carbonfootprint, promoting energy efficiency, and fostering environmentally sustainable communities[1]. A team of faculty and students at Illinois State University participated in the U.S.Department of Energy Solar District Cup Competition. The competition district featured a casestudy using