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Undergraduate Research and Development Explores New Technologies in Energy Conservation Innovations

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Conference

2014 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Location

Indianapolis, Indiana

Publication Date

June 15, 2014

Start Date

June 15, 2014

End Date

June 18, 2014

ISSN

2153-5965

Conference Session

Innovative Projects in Energy Education

Tagged Division

Energy Conversion and Conservation

Page Count

9

Page Numbers

24.1285.1 - 24.1285.9

DOI

10.18260/1-2--23218

Permanent URL

https://peer.asee.org/23218

Download Count

274

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Paper Authors

biography

Saeed D. Foroudastan Middle Tennessee State University

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Saeed Foroudastan is the Associate Dean for the College of Basic and Applied Sciences (CBAS). The CBAS oversees 10 departments at Middle Tennessee State University. He is also the current Director for the Master’s of Science in Professional Science program and a professor of engineering technology at MTSU. Foroudastan received his B.S. in civil engineering, his M.S. in civil engineering, and his Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from Tennessee Technological University. Additionally, he has six years of industrial experience as a Senior Engineer and 17 years of academic experience as a professor, Associate Professor, and Assistant Professor. Foroudastan’s academic experience includes teaching at Tennessee Technological University and Middle Tennessee State University in the areas of civil engineering, mechanical engineering, and engineering technology. He has actively advised undergraduate and graduate students, alumni, and minority students in academics and career guidance. Foroudastan has also served as Faculty Advisor for SAE, Mechanical Engineering Technology, Pre-engineering, ASME, Experimental Vehicles Program (EVP), and Tau Alpha Pi Honors Society. In addition to Foroudastan’s teaching experience, he also has performed extensive research and published numerous technical papers. He has secured more than $1 million in the form of both internal and external grants and research funding. Foroudastan is the faculty advisor, coordinator, and primary fundraiser for EVP teams entering national research project competitions such as the Formula SAE Collegiate Competition, the Baja SAE Race, the SolarBike Rayce, the Great Moonbuggy Race, and the Solar Boat Collegiate Competition. For his concern for and dedication to his students, Foroudastan received MTSU awards such as the 2002-03 Outstanding Teaching
Award, the 2005-06 Outstanding Public Service Award, and the 2007 Faculty Advisor of the Year Award. He received the Excellence in Engineering Education Award and Faculty Advisor Award from the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE). He was also nominated for the MTSU 2005 and 2009-11 Outstanding Research Award. He received two Academic Excellence awards from the Tennessee Board of Region in 2010-11. Foroudastan has also won many College of Basic and Applied Science awards. In addition to
this, Foroudastan also reviews papers for journals and conference proceedings of ASEE, ASEE-SE, and ASME, and he has been a session moderator for several professional conferences.

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Jeremy Keith Posey Sr.

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Abstract

Undergraduate Research and Development Explores new Technologies in Energy Conservation InnovationsAbstractThe Experimental Vehicles Program (EVP) was created in 2004 as an umbrella program forundergraduate experimental vehicle design teams. The EVP in 2013 consist of the Solar Vehicle,Moonbuggy, Baja SAE, Formula SAE, and Solar Boat. The EVP has also recently added the Hybrid Carto its collection of projects. Some of the five projects have the hope of fostering undergraduate studentresearch as well as expanding student knowledge in the fields of green energy and energy conservation.The Solar Boat project, participated in every year by the EVP, has been one of the most innovative andground breaking research test beds for new energy efficient technology. Every year students work inteams to design, construct, and test novel vehicle designs for participation in national and internationalcompetitions. Due to the competitive nature of each of the competitions, students must use cutting edgetechnology and design methods in order to create the best entries possible. The Solar Boat must harnessrenewable energy to propel itself while at the same time excel in both endurance and sprint disciples. Thisallows the students to delve into new technologies to make their vehicles outshine and out compete theircompetitors. The developmental ingenuity that is required to make energy efficient vehicles is completelyderived from the students and has been a source of numerous innovative advancements. Vehicles such asthe Solar Boat and the Hybrid Car allow the students to gain knowledge in a highly contested area such asgreen energy.Projects such as the Solar Boat and the Hybrid Car perform a vital function in the professionaldevelopment of students. The projects provide a forgiving environment in which students can test theirclassroom knowledge in a real-world setting and learn important skills such as leadership, effectivecommunication, and working as a team member. Furthermore, the students in the EVP develop highlyversatile and qualified skill sets that will allow them to fill various positions within the workplace.Graduates that are able to research and produce green energy technologies will have a leg up in theirfuture endeavors both academically and professionally.

Foroudastan, S. D., & Posey, J. K. (2014, June), Undergraduate Research and Development Explores New Technologies in Energy Conservation Innovations Paper presented at 2014 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Indianapolis, Indiana. 10.18260/1-2--23218

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