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

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

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

Design programimplies a focus on the design of materials and finishes for aesthetic purposes only, in fact,Interior Design students learn about principles of sustainable design and the LEED certificationsystem overseen by the U.S. Green Building Council. They are assigned to consider sustainabledesign principles in their capstone design projects and complete a LEED checklist. This enablesthem to collaborate effectively with architects and engineers in their future careers. Meanwhile,students in the renewable energy course have by then been exposed to sustainable designprinciples and applications of renewable energy at various scales including residential andcommercial scales. Therefore, the students in the renewable energy course are well

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

referred to as Homefront Factor studies, local institution communitymile linkages, out of state community outreach and our preparation of in-person Saturday academy thatincludes a series of weekly hands-on activities. Students have been engaged in a variety of "hands-on,minds-on" STEAM activities that are aligned to the National Math, Science, and Technology standardsand learn about different Nuclear Energy University Program (NEUP) careers in STEAM as they delve intoeach grade level project.Key Words: Supporting Strategic Training of Adaptable and Integrated Nuclear Workforce (SUSTAIN);Nuclear Energy University Program (NEUP); Local Institution Community Linkages and Outreach;Pipeline Development; Family Forum Café; Historically Black College

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

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

Energy Efficiency, and assesses operations focusing on environmental and P2 performance to provide recommendations for improvements and related cost savings. He has also been Co-PI of a Source Reduction Grant from EPA and PI for six projects funded by the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR). He has trained many undergrad and graduate students on energy and environmental assessments.Dr. Patricia A. Sullivan, New Mexico State University Patricia A. Sullivan serves as Associate Dean for Outreach and Recruitment in the College of Engineering at New Mexico State University. Throughout her career in higher education, Dr. Sullivan has successfully expanded access to NMSU-based services for communities and businesses across New

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

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

implement a competency framework for nuclear engineering to guide university programs, leading to the development of a highly skilled and competent nuclear engineering workforce. Ms. Tina Baradaran also demonstrates strong commitment to teaching and encouraging young women to pursue STEM careers. She is dedicated to advancing the field of Nuclear Engineering through her research in education, while also communicating the immense benefits of nuclear science and technology to various audiences.Jennifer StansbyMihail IonescuEdward Obbard ©American Society for Engineering Education, 2025Paper Title: What makes a competent nuclear engineer?ABSTRACTNuclear engineering in Australia is entering a period of

Conference Session

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

Collection

2023 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Antony Kinyua, Morgan State University; Ezana Negusse; Richard Damoah; Maajida Murdock; Oludare Adegbola Owolabi P.E., Morgan State University; Jonathan Wilson, Morgan State University

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Conservation and Nuclear Engineering Division (ECCNE), Energy Conversion

the United States, primarily pressurized water reactor systems and boiling water reactorsystems. The overall fraction of electric power production by nuclear power in the United Stateswas identified at 20%. Four sectors in the nuclear power industry were identified: nuclear wastefacilities, nuclear power plants, nuclear fuel facilities, and nuclear-decommissioning activities.The workforce needs for each sector were identified and discussed.MethodsTo train, encourage and motivate students to pursue nuclear science and technology careers andjobs in our communities, our HBCU team has been assigned Task 4.2: Strategic Outreach forNuclear Workforce Pipeline Development and Maintenance. The objectives include thefollowing:1. Increase the number 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

the present paper.Step 1: Elimination of CoursesSix courses were eliminated. • ENU 4934 Fundamentals of Nuclear and Radiological Engineering – this one-credit course does not permit sufficient time to cover an adequate introduction to nuclear physics, reactors, and careers. In a one-credit class, assignments can adversely affect retention, as one skipped or bad homework can change a grade. The lead author has observed students who earned a B or worse often left the program prior to the junior year. This course will be replaced by a two-credit course in Step 3. • STA 3032 Engineering Statistics – the statistical topics in this course are a poor match for those needed by nuclear engineering students

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

solving the problem and can learn skills that can then be used when approachingother open-ended problems. Eventually, this curiosity and decision-making can lead to engineerswho are more willing to think how to create the most value in their designs. 13The primary goal behind the redesign of the design project in this second-semesterThermodynamics course was to encourage students to explore options and learn more about howdifferent factors impact a Rankine cycle design. To better prepare students for work in theirpost-graduate careers, the project was framed in such a way that they needed to considereconomic factors when deciding if a proposed modification to the original design made sense inpractice. It was also desired to address some of the

Conference Session

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

Collection

2023 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Joseph Ranalli, Pennsylvania State University Hazleton

Tagged Divisions

Conservation and Nuclear Engineering Division (ECCNE), Energy Conversion

opportunity tointegrate the project well with ABET outcomes.Conclusions As a design competition focused on renewable energy, the Solar District Cup presents asignificant opportunity for students to get involved in design of alternative energy systems.Knowledge in these areas is very important for students with an interest in careers in the energysector, who will experience impacts due to the world’s ongoing alternative energy transition. TheSolar District Cup competition was successfully implemented by the author in a year-longCapstone Design course and some lessons learned were described by this paper. The assignment structure for the course had to be reorganized in order to match with thedeliverables for the competition. In particular

Conference Session

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

Collection

2023 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Hua Chai, University of New South Wales; Huiye Yu, University of New South Wales; Kuthsav Thattai, University of New South Wales; Jayashri Ravishankar, University of New South Wales

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Conservation and Nuclear Engineering Division (ECCNE), Energy Conversion

. ©American Society for Engineering Education, 2023Enhancing job-readiness through short courses: A case study in Power Engineering Enhancing job-readiness through short courses: A case study in Power EngineeringAbstract This paper proposes the development and delivery of a short course in collaboration betweenacademia and the power system industry. This short course aims to provide hands-on trainingfor students and early career power system engineers to become familiar with the softwarepackage - PSCAD™/EMTDC™. This extra-curricular skill development program benefitsboth students and industry professionals in the field of power engineering. By surveying theparticipants during the short course, the

Conference Session

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

Collection

2023 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Ali Zilouchian, Florida Atlantic University; Amir Abtahi, Florida Atlantic University; Nancy Romance, Florida Atlantic University

Tagged Divisions

Conservation and Nuclear Engineering Division (ECCNE), Energy Conversion

Paper ID #39195Curriculum Development in Renewable Energy and SustainabilityDr. Ali Zilouchian, Florida Atlantic University Dr. Ali Zilouchian is currently the Director of Applied Engineering Program and a Research Center Director at Keiser University. He is also the Emeritus Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Florida Atlantic University (FAU) and Founding Project Director of a HSI Title III project funded by the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) at FAU. His distinguished career in academia and industry has many notable accomplishments focused on research and industry partnerships, and national models

Conference Session

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

Collection

2023 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Huiye Yu, UNSW Sydney; Hua Chai, University of New South Wales; Jayashri Ravishankar, University of New South Wales

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Conservation and Nuclear Engineering Division (ECCNE), Energy Conversion

focused on “biomedicalengineering” as a whole, so the data is solely collected using keyword search, no data selectionis needed. Furthermore, a total of 36 job ads are under investigation in this research, which isa relatively small sample size. [16] studies civil engineering jobs in the Turkish constructionsector, in light of the Turkish construction industry's global growth. The study has a specifiedfocus on early-career civil engineer graduates (i.e., no more than 3 years of experience). A widevariety of job titles are found, and a total of 427 job ads are identified for research.Qualifications are statistically analyzed in 5 areas: technical skills, software skills, languageskills and interpersonal skills. Compared to the rest of the

Conference Session

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

Collection

2023 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Nisaka Munasinghe, University of New South Wales; Hua Chai, University of New South Wales; Jayashri Ravishankar, UNSW Sydney

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Conservation and Nuclear Engineering Division (ECCNE), Energy Conversion

to have learned modelling techniques - “… would do the modeling to check how a power system network would operate undercertain conditions and check that it actually meets the standards.” Power electronics were a specific technology that had great significance in generation ofelectricity and are pivotal in converting renewable energy to more useful forms and yet, an Table I. Interview Questions. No. Junior Engineer Senior Engineer 1 Please introduce yourself and give a brief Please introduce yourself and give a brief background into your career. background into your career. 2 How do you see your current line of work

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

thatcentered around electric energy systems, focusing on foundational courses for undergraduatestudents to provide career flexibility [11]. This curriculum was developed with insights fromexperts in the field and further disseminated through the Consortium of Universities forSustainable Power, garnering participation from 170 universities. However, it primarilyaddresses the undergraduate program, and the postgraduate level is less explored. Reed andStanchina propose a renewed curriculum in power engineering that incorporates smart gridtechnologies and clean energy integration [12]. They suggest a model that includes distancelearning options to widen student and stakeholder engagement. However, this work lacksempirical evidence to validate the

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

energy today provides about 9% of the world’s energy and8 to 10% of the U.S. needs [4]. However, in many parts of the world, these percentages are increasingsignificantly. Based on current data on global warming, as well as the current U.S. dependence onoverseas oil, there is an interest and urgency in utilizing alternative energy sources [5].In order to prepare students for their future careers, real-world training is imperative for their education.University campuses in the United States are taking important steps to establish alternative energyresearch and education [5]. For example, undergraduate engineering and engineering technologyprograms are now including laboratory-based curriculum in alternative energy [5]. Hands-on

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

results and insights from the proposed educational game developed byintegrating a spreadsheet-based app and virtual reality (VR). This game is a great tool to getcollege and high school students excited about learning how to design a chemical product whilethinking about economic evaluation, environmental impact and sustainability. The game isdesigned to fit into courses about sustainability or chemical engineering, for both studentsspecializing in these areas and those who aren’t but have a keen interest in sustainability,especially the role hydrogen plays in promoting it. It's also suitable for high school programs,mini study groups and career day presentations. The game is free to use and helps studentspractice making important decisions in

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

sector is experiencing a revival in interest toward nuclear power as an attractivecompromise between fossil fuels and renewables, particularly to address concerns about energyindependence and carbon emissions. Conceptually, nuclear engineering fundamentals arechallenging to teach to undergraduates as it requires a multi-disciplinary approach. Yet, it is afield that continues to power much of the world. Therefore, there is a continued need to educateengineering students in the field of nuclear power; and this paper presents a software emulationtool for nuclear power plant design. Engineering undergraduates can use the platform to explorefundamental nuclear engineering concepts and better prepare themselves for careers in andaround nuclear power

Conference Session

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

Collection

2023 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Bala Maheswaran, Northeastern University; Dylan Brady Wolter, Northeastern University ; Julia Ariano; Gabriella Marie Green

Tagged Divisions

Conservation and Nuclear Engineering Division (ECCNE), Energy Conversion

on hands-on group projects outside of class. A large number ofassignments can be a strain at times, but it allows the student to learn time management and alsolearn a wide variety of skills.” It is extremely possible that many of us will enter careers where wewill be juggling multiple projects or tasks at one time and building these time management skillsin college with be extremely beneficial. Experiential learning and the hands-off nature of theprofessor with our schedules helped stress the importance of prioritizing certain assignments whenneeded and creating a week-long or even month-long calendar to keep on track. The creation ofmilestone assignments helped keep the projects at a doable pace and allowed us to decide what weneeded to

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

. Additionally, we will examine how different experiments vary inpromoting interactive, constructive, active, and passive engagement.Site and Participants:The study will be conducted within the Online Master of Radiation Health Physics Program atOregon State University, which is the largest program of its kind in the nation. This fully onlineprogram aims to prepare individuals for careers in nuclear energy, ionizing radiation, andhandling of radioactive materials, particularly in the fields of security, national defense, medicalhealth, and safety. Through this program, students will acquire the professional skills necessaryto positively impact society in areas such as energy security, national defense, medical health,and industrial competitiveness. The