Mechanical and Materials Engineering (MME) Undergraduate Research Projects Showcase (URPS)
2023 URPS (April 21, 2023)
Award Winners, Abstracts and Pictures
Title: Device to Aid in Mechanical Ventilation of Obese Patients
Students: Giulia Herszage Rocha (Biomedical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering); Mackenzie Damon (Mechanical Engineering); Kelly McDonald (Mechanical Engineering); Rachel Chan (Biomedical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering); Madelyn Thrasher (Biomedical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering);
Advisor: Prof. Kristen Billiar (BME/MME)
Abstract:
Positive pressure ventilation (PPV) treatments in obese patients are more likely to lead to ventilator-induced lung injuries (VILI) and further respiratory complications. The purpose of this project was to develop a constant negative abdominal pressure ventilator (CNAP) to work in tandem with PPV to reduce the positive pressure needed. The major design requirements deemed necessary are function, ease of removal, and accessibility, which were all applied to the Shell, Sealing, Locking, Frame, and Pump subsystems. The design consists of a clear shell clasped onto a frame, which can be attached to any standard medical bed, and neoprene sealing attached to the patient. The lightweight device extends from the top of the sternum to the hipbone line. It maintains a vacuum range of -10 to -30 cmH2O for 6 hour work-2 minute rest cycles for 3-4 weeks. The combination of the CNAP and PPV can potentially reduce the occurrence of VILI.
Title: Electric Triumph Spitfire MKIV (1972)
Students: Bradley Sprunger (ME); Blaise Pingree (ME); Grace Magnotta (ME); Wynn Roberts (ME); Shane Donahue (CS); Sean McMillan (CS); Rachael Smith (ECE); Patrick Flanigan (RBE)
Advisors: Profs. Nicholas Bertozzi (RBE/MME), Joshua Cuneo (CS), Donald Brown (ECE) & Craig Putnam (RBE)
Abstract:
Our team converted a student-owned 1972 Triumph Spitfire (MK IV) from a gasoline internal combustion engine to a fully electric system. To do this conversion, our team removed the engine, transmission, and supporting equipment. We then designed, manufactured, and integrated a manual-electric drivetrain, 24 kWh battery unit, embedded sensor suite, and cloud connected user interface. Our system is capable of a theoretical ~ 90hp, and 100 miles of range. Additional development, fabrication, and testing are still being done but initial test drives are very promising. Early development of level 2 autonomy is also underway. It is expected that this conversion will offer greater reliability and enhanced longevity for the vehicle, while improving performance and efficiency. Our team hopes that by completing this conversion, we can improve the reputation of EVs and renewable energy through our implementation of cutting edge technology in a vintage classic car.
Students: Emma Driscoll (Chemical Engineering); Jade Veth (MME); Maren Cork (MME); Sarah Abatiello (MME); Effelia Warden (MME); Sydney Smith (MME and Environmental Engineering)
Advisors: Profs. Selçuk Güçeri (MME), Stephen Kmiotek (ChE) & Elisabeth Stoddard (ESS)
Using direct sun exposure, passive solar systems in house walls harness the sun’s energy for heating and cooling without external devices. This project explored the practicality of integrating phase change material (PCM) to increase energy storage capacity for building materials in these systems. PCMs are able to absorb and release thermal energy during the changing of phases. For this project, a water-based gel was explored, contained in PVC tubing within a standard modular concrete brick. Thermal tests were conducted to determine the configuration that resulted in the most significant heat capacity of the brick. The results were used, in combination with solar modeling and thermal simulation, to create a simple cost analysis, and possible future applications and improvements, as well as policy incentives and funding mechanisms were discussed.
Title: Design, Simulate, Build, and Test an RC Airplane
Students: Kalle Asaro (Mechanical Engineering); Delaney Cox (Mechanical Engineering); Heather Oxford (Mechanical Engineering); Everett Wonson (Mechanical Engineering)
Advisor: Prof. Alireza Ebadi (MME)
Abstract:
The objective of this MQP was to design, simulate, and build a radio-controlled airplane in accordance with the annual SAE Aero Design East competition rules (Regular Class). Through internal and external fundraising and careful resource allocation, the project goal was successfully achieved, and the team participated at the competition held in Lakeland, FL.
The project was broken up by each academic term, with A term being dedicated to research, B term to design, and C term to construction. Aspects of project management, design layouts, analyses, manufacturing, and competition results are presented, and a discussion of the lessons learned, and the recommendations for future improvements are provided.
Title: Reconstruction of a High-Rise Fire Using Experimental and Computational Techniques
Students: Abigail Benoit (ME/FPE); Grace Cummings (ME/FPE); Matthew Guarneri (ME/FPE); Peter Guertin (ME/FPE)
Advisor: Prof. Milosh Puchovsky (FPE/MME)
Abstract:
In January of 2022, a fire originating in a second-floor apartment of a 19-story high-rise claimed the lives of 17 people due largely to smoke spread. Reconstructing building fires at full-scale for analysis is infeasible, so computer models are often utilized to study fire events. This project compared reduced-scale fire tests of this apartment fire with a computational model to evaluate the degree to which the results can approximate actual fire conditions. Critical aspects of the building were physically reconstructed for varying door positions and numerically simulated using CFAST (Consolidated Fire and Smoke Transport). Temperature, velocity, and smoke spread were measured and calculated in key areas. Analysis concluded that at a reduced- scale, CFAST approximated the general trends of the fire test data with reasonable agreement for temperatures but demonstrated a wider range of variability for smoke spread and flows.
