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Thermo-mechatronic Lab — Characterization of Thermoelectric Generators

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Conference

2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Location

Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Publication Date

June 22, 2025

Start Date

June 22, 2025

End Date

August 15, 2025

Conference Session

ME Division 9: Enhancing Lab Experiences

Tagged Division

Mechanical Engineering Division (MECH)

Page Count

13

Permanent URL

https://peer.asee.org/57282

Paper Authors

biography

Camilo Ordonez Florida A&M University - Florida State University

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Camilo Ordonez received the B.S. in Electronics Engineering from Pontificia Bolivariana University in 2003. He obtained his M.S and Ph.D. degrees in Mechanical Engineering from Florida State University in 2006 and 2010. Currently, Camilo is a Teaching Faculty at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering

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biography

Juan Ordonez Florida A&M University - Florida State University

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Juan C. Ordonez is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and the Center for Advanced Power Systems at Florida State University. He completed his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering at Duke University in 2003. His research interests include thermodynamic optimization, constructal theory, heat transfer, and thermal modeling of advanced power systems.

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Abstract

Most mechanical engineering programs offer separate classes on mechatronics, renewable energy, and thermal systems. However, due to high academic loads, there are few opportunities for students to work on hands-on activities involving thermal systems and, less so, on activities that combine elements of these domains. This lack of hardware experience with thermal systems has been expressed by senior students during the Senior Exit interviews. To alleviate this problem without increasing course load, we are proposing a mechatronic lab to teach students foundational mechatronics concepts such as analog to digital conversion, signal conditioning, sensor interfacing, data logging, data analysis, and circuit assembly while staying within the context of characterization of thermoelectric generators. The thermoelectric devices selected provide an opportunity to explore thermal and electrical phenomena that can be both sensed and visualized in a classroom environment without the need for expensive instrumentation. The experiments conducted tend to catalyze ideas for new concepts and serve as a starting point for further exploration of thermoelectricity as a mechanism for direct energy conversion. The paper details the hardware components and designs so other instructors can easily reproduce them. Additionally, it provides a series of suggested lab activities.

Ordonez, C., & Ordonez, J. (2025, June), Thermo-mechatronic Lab — Characterization of Thermoelectric Generators Paper presented at 2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition , Montreal, Quebec, Canada . https://peer.asee.org/57282

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