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News & Events
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Video Essay Contest for Engineering Students
Duke University's Pratt School of Engineering is sponsoring a national video/essay contest to raise awareness of the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) Grand Challenges.
The NAE Grand Challenges identify 14 problems that are key to improving and sustaining our quality of life. These areas can be loosely grouped into four broad categories: energy/environment, medicine, security, and learning/computation. The full list of challenges is at: http://www.engineeringchallenges.org.
The contest is seeking college student in the U.S. to create videos between two and three minutes in length and a 1,000 word essay with bibliography in response to the question: Which grand challenge would you choose to address, and how would you do it?
The video should present reasons for choosing a specific challenge, present the social impact, the national technological readiness to address the challenge, and possible avenues to solve the challenge. The contest is open to both individuals and groups of undergraduate and graduate students of any academic major. Application guidelines are available at: http://summit-grand-challenges.pratt.duke.edu/summit-video-essay-contest.
A first prize of $15,000, a second prize of $10,000, and a third prize of $5,000 will be awarded at the Summit on the National Academy of Engineering Grand Challenges hosted by Duke, USC, and Olin College on March 2, 2009 in Durham, NC.
Submission Deadline: February 1, 2009 at 5:00 PM EST
Read More...
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New MME Courses for Winter Quarter
The Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering has some new course offerings for Winter Quarter. If you have any questions about the courses, please contact the department (209 Russ, 937-775-5040) or the instructors.
ME 499/699-04 Computational Materials ScienceDr. Amir Farajian (MW 4:10-5:50pm)
Computer simulation of materials; introduction to theories and algorithms of atomistic modeling; computation of structures and properties; hands on experience with simulation procedures and applications in nanoscience and nanotechnology. Prerequisite is ME 370 (Intro Materials Egr Science).
Open to graduate and undergraduate students. This course is an approved technical elective for undergraduate MME students and does not count as a 499 Special Problems course. For graduate MME students, this is an approved 600 level course. To register, please contact the instructor (amir.farajian@wright.edu).
ME 890-04 Advanced Energy MaterialsDr. Hong Huang (MW 6:05-7:45 pm)
This course will focus on advanced electrochemical energy conversion and storage systems including fuel cells, lithium-ion batteries, and supercapacitors. Through the journey in this course, students are anticipated to understand why and how these systems are advantageous in renewable energy applications. Prerequisites are ME 515 or 575 (Thermodynamics) and ME 483/683 (Intro to Ceramics).
This is a required core for the new Renewable and Clean Energy Masters program, and an approved 700 level course for other tracks. To register, please contact the MME Dept (937-775-5040).
ME 890-03 PhotovoltaicsDr. Jim Menart (MWF 7:15-8:20 am)
Photovoltaics is the process of generating a voltage from light. This light source can be the sun which is, essentially, an inexhaustible source of energy. This course will look at a number of topics related to photovoltaics. Prerequisite is Phy 244 (General Physics III) or equivalent.
Open to graduate and undergraduate students (UG please contact instructor james.menart@wright.edu, grad may register online). This is an approved 700 level course for MME masters students.
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WSU recognizes CECS faculty and staff
Each year, faculty and staff who have provided continuous service to Wright State University are honored during a special ceremony. The following employees from the College of Engineering and Computer Science were recognized by President David Hopkins and Provost Steven Angle for their service to WSU at the October 23rd recognition ceremony.
10 Years
Travis Doom (CSE)
Cindy Oakley (Dean's Office)
15 Years
Joe Slater (MME)
Scott Thomas (MME)
20 Years
Prabhaker Mateti (CSE)
25 Years
Dick Rathbun (Dean's Office)
30 Years
Teri Shepherd (Dean's Office)
Congratulations to all of the honorees!
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Klingbeil awarded $2 million NSF grant for engineering mathematics education
The National Science Foundation awarded Wright State a $2 million grant for helping 15 colleges and universities around the country assess and adopt our successful engineering mathematics reform model. This model helps eliminate the bottleneck that occurs during the first year in a traditional engineering curriculum.
Dr. Nathan Klingbeil (MME) leads the research on "A National Model for Engineering Mathematics Education." Co-principal investigators are Dr. Kuldip Rattan (EE), Dr. Michael Raymer (CSE), Dr. David Reynolds (BIE), and Dr. Richard Mercer (Math).
The model, now in its third phase, helped restructure our engineering mathematics curriculum, radically changing the way that math is taught to engineering students in an effort to improve retention and graduation. It delivers the math in a just-in-time method and includes distilled math topics that the students will cover later in the curriculum. The model began with a new freshman-level introductory engineering math course, EGR 101, taught by engineering faculty. Students are exposed to how they can apply math concepts to solve real-world engineering problems.
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ISE Alum Receives U.S. Patent
Steve Sepeck (BSISE '07) recently received a U.S. patent for his "One-hand Operation Conversion Kit for Wheelbarrow Handles."
United States Patent 7,434,818
The idea came to Sepeck while he was helping his father build an addition to the family deck. Injured in a motocross accident ten years ago, Sepeck can no longer use his left arm and was frustrated that he could only watch his father fill the wheelbarrow. Sepeck's determination to maintain his independence led him to research more adaptable wheelbarrows. When his search revealed no practical pre-existing designs, he devised the idea for the conversion kit.
The kit is designed for attachment on a two-wheeled wheelbarrow, which has a decent center of gravity. Cross supports are attached to the existing handles and a new cylindrical handle is inserted through holes in the center of the supports. The cross members are designed to eliminate major torque from the handle. Sepeck also added an ergonomic grip and a second handle design for better control with unbalanced loads.
"This invention will help people with physical disabilities get back to doing things they love," says Sepeck. His hard work and exhaustive research helped him overcome his disability and has driven him to continue inventing. Steve is currently pursuing a master's degree in human factors engineering at Wright State.
Congratulations Steve!!
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Dissertation Defense: Bala Cherukuri
Microstructural Stability and Thermomechanical Processing of Boron Modified Beta Titanium Alloys
Presented by Bala Cherukuri
Friday, November 21, 2008
10:00 AM
Student Union Atlantis Room (E157)
Faculty Advisor
Dr. Raghavan Srinivasan (MME)
ABSTRACT
Trace additions of boron have been shown to decrease the as-cast grain size in alpha + beta and beta titanium alloys. Two metastable beta titanium alloys: Beta21S and Ti5553 with 0.1 wt% B and without boron additions were used in this investigation. Significant grain refinement of the as-cast microstructure and precipitation of TiB whiskers along the grain boundaries was observed with boron additions. Beta21S and Beta21S-0.1B alloys were annealed above the beta transition temperature for different times to investigate the effect of boron on grain size stability. The TiB precipitates were very effective in restricting the beta grain boundary mobility by Zener pinning. A model has been developed to predict the maximum grain size as a function of TiB size, orientation, and volume fraction. Good agreement was obtained between model predictions and experimental results.
All four alloys were solution treated and aged for different times at several temperatures below the beta transus to study the kinetics of alpha precipitation. Though the TiB phase did not provide any additional nucleation sites for alpha precipitation, the grain refinement obtained by boron additions resulted in accelerated aging.
An investigation of the thermomechanical processing behavior showed different deformation mechanisms above the beta transus temperature. The non-boron containing alloys showed a non-uniform and fine recrystallized necklace structure at grain boundaries whereas uniform intragranular recrystallization was observed in boron containing alloys. Micro-voids were observed at the ends of the TiB needles at high temperature, slow strain rates as a result of decohesion at the TiB / matrix interfaces. At low temperatures and faster strain rates microvoids were also formed due to fracture of TiB needles.
PUBLICATIONS
- B Cherukuri, R Srinivasan, S Tamirisakandala and D. Miracle, “The influence of trace boron addition on grain growth kinetics of the beta phase in Ti-15Mo-2.6Nb-2Al-0.1Si titanium alloy.” Submitted to Scripta Materialia, 2008.
- B Cherukuri, R Srinivasan and S Tamirisakandala, “Microstructural stability and Heat treatment of Boron modified Beta-Titanium alloys.” Proceedings, International Symposium for Research Scholars, Dec-2006, Madras, India.
- B. Cherukuri and R. Srinivasan. “Optimization of the Equal Channel Angular Extrusion processes for strain homogeneity” Materials Science Forum Vols.539-543 (2007). PP.3655-3660.
- B. Cherukuri, R. Srinivasan and P.Chaudhury. “Energy Savings in Forging and Heat treatment of an Aluminium alloy Subjected to Severe plastic Deformation”, TMS Letters, Vol-3 No-2 (2006) PP.61-62.
- B. Cherukuri and R. Srinivasan. “Properties of AA6061 processed by multi-axial compressions/forging (MAC/F)”. Materials and Manufacturing processes, Vol-21 No-6 (2006) PP.512-518.
- R. Srinivasan, B. Cherukuri and P.Chaudhury. “Scaling up of Equal Channel Angular Pressing (ECAP) for the production of Forging stock”, Materials Science Forum Vols.503-504 (2006). PP.371- 378.
- B. Cherukuri, T. Nedkova and R. Srinivasan. “A comparison of the properties of SPD processed AA-6061 by ECAP, multi-axial compressions/forgings (MAC/F) and Accumulative roll bonding (ARB), Mater. Sci. Eng. A 410-411(2005) 394-397.
- P. Chaudhury, B. Cherukuri and R. Srinivasan. “Scaling up of Equal Channel Angular Pressing (ECAP) and its effect on mechanical properties, microstructure, and hot workability of AA 6061”, Mater. Sci. Eng. A 410-411(2005) 316-318
- B. Cherukuri, R. Srinivasan and P.Chaudhury. “Acceleration of precipitation processes in AA6061after Severe Plastic Deformation (SPD)”, Process heating/Reheating, 37-42 (2005) MS&T – 2005, Pittsburgh, PA.
Dissertation Defense: Douglas Meador
Modeling Training Effects on Task Performance Using a Human Performance Taxonomy
Presented by Douglas P. Meador
Thursday, November 20, 2008
1:00 PM
148 Russ Engineering Center
Faculty Advisor
Dr. Raymond R. Hill (BIE)
ABSTRACT
There is little argument that modern military systems are very complex, both in terms of the resources in time and money to develop them and the infrastructure that is required to produce trained operators. To properly execute human systems integration during the acquisition process, systems built to train operators must be developed that optimize training. Consequently, the training system community would benefit from simulation models that provide the ability to make accurate predictions of training processes, and allow the decision maker to specify an optimum combination of operator performance after training and the cost of that training. The goal of this research is the construction of a model of human learning using time to complete a task as a performance measure. While past research has explored the nature of functions to characterize human learning, this study will examine processes used to build a model that considers task performance as a function of training methods used to instruct a task, the nature of the task being taught, and the ability of the human to retain skill over a specified period of nonuse. An empirical study was performed to collect data from individuals completing tasks typically performed by sensor operators assigned to military unmanned aircraft systems. The tasks performed covered a range of activities that require varying combinations of human perceptual, cognitive and motor skills. The data was fitted to a set of models that were used to predict the performance outcome of a task similar in task type to those used to build the model. Results are reported and recommendations for future research are offered.
PUBLICATION
Fitzgerald, P.C., Andrews, D.H., Crabtree, M.S., Doyal, J.A., Meador, D.P., & Walsh, W.J. (2008). Incorporating training effects in modeling and simulation software. In Proceedings CSER 2008, Conference on Systems Engineering Research, in press.
WEC to Hold Elections for Director Positions
The Wright Engineering Council will be holding their director elections at the end of Fall Quarter. Below are the descriptions for all available positions. Nominations are being accepted now. (You can nominate yourself or others.)
Please send your nominations to wec.wsu@gmail.com including name and email address of nominee.
If you have any questions, contact Joy Davis, WEC President, at davis.297@wright.edu.
WEC Director Positions
Director of Graduate Relations: As Director of Graduate Relations you are expected to work towards getting the graduate students more active in the club. In the past this has been done by seeking graduate students to give presentations on their research projects. It is also this director’s job to get feedback from grad students if/when needed.
Director of Activities: As Director of Activities for the Wright Engineering Council (WEC) you have the responsibility of planning any engineering activities that WEC hosts. In the past WEC has hosted events such as various Nintendo Tournaments, card tournaments, and traditional programs. These traditional programs encompass E-week activities, the Fall Retreat, and Welcome Week activities.
Director of Public Relations: As Director of Public Relations your main goals are to continuously keep the email list for the Wright Engineering Council updated at all times and keeps good relations between the community and WEC. There are bulletin boards outside of 163 Russ that are maintained by the Director of Public Relations. Keeping an updated email list involves adding and removing member’s names as needed. In addition to the email list, you manage the WEC email account. Also, you should stay updated with what the community is involved in so that WEC may help at any time.
Director of Freshman Relations: As Director of Freshman Relations your main job will be getting the freshman involved in the college. This position extends out of WEC and encompasses any club. The main goal is to provide the guidance incoming freshman should get when it comes to deciding where to get involved. The main programs this director runs are the mentoring program and the egg drop competition.
Director of Industrial Relations: As Director of Industrial Relations you are expected to serve as WEC’s connection to campus and community sponsors. In the past this director has gone to local companies and tried to get donations for various WEC activities. Also past directors have gone to people at WSU like Pam Davis and get anything they can. Past donations have ranged from free food at activities to the car for the Car Smash. This director also tries to find other beneficial opportunities with companies like tours. Basically this position tries to build and maintain relationships with anyone that can help WEC.
Director of Finances: As the Director of Finances you will be expected to watch the WEC budget. You will be the only other person who can authorize any budgetary expenditure, aside from the president. You will also play a large role when it comes time to go before SOBC for funding for our next year. One other facet of this position is fundraising, if/when necessary.
President: As the President you are expected to be the person people can go to with their questions. You are the person who plans and runs the weekly meetings each quarter. It is expected that you will develop a strong relationship with the Dean’s office as that is the prime place to get information from concerning what WEC can do to help the college as a whole. You will be the representative that goes to the CECS President meetings held by the Senator for the college. The President also helps in any way that they can, whether is be simple motivation for the other directors or even taking on their own project/event.
Director of Web Communication: *appointed* As the Director of Web Communication you will be expected to maintain and update the WEC website as often as necessary. These updates can be as simple as the minutes for that week’s meetings and upcoming activities or as complex as revamping the website. Ultimately this position is what you make of it. If you are interested in the position, contact the President for the next year.
Vice President (previously director of internal affairs): *appointed* As the Vice President you will be expected to control the access to the Club Room. This person will essentially serve as a scribe for the general meetings and for the directors’ meeting and will serve as assistant to the president. They are also in charge of the newsletter. If for any reason the president cannot continue their duties you would assume the rule of president. If you are interested in the position, contact the President for the next year.
Dissertation Defense: Jenna Serres
Dynamic Characterization of a Pneumatic Muscle Actuator and Its Application to a Resistive Training Device
Presented by Jennifer L. Serres
Monday, November 10, 2008
11:00 AM
292 Joshi Research Center
Faculty Advisors
Dr. David B. Reynolds (BIE) and Dr. Chandler A. Phillips (BIE)
ABSTRACT
Industrial pneumatic muscle actuators (PMA) offer significant advantages over traditional sources of actuation: greater power-to-weight and power-to-volume ratios. These performance benefits combined with the inherently safe operation behavior make PMAs prime candidates for use in biomedical devices. However, accurate control of a PMA is challenging to achieve due to the nonlinearities associated with the pressure induced bladder expansion. A three-element phenomenological model has been applied to a commercially available industrial PMA. This model is a parallel configuration of a contracting element, damping element and spring element. Empirical data was collected from a Dynamic Test Station and used to characterize these model coefficients. Open-loop linear systems analysis utilized the characterization profiles for the PMA in combination with a model for the D.C. servomotor to develop a transfer function describing the dynamics of the overall system. A Tustin (bilinear) transform was applied to the transfer function to generate a discrete time recursion equation. This equation describes the interaction of the PMA and the D.C. servomotor and was used to generate motor voltage profiles to demonstrate the use of a PMA in various tasks. One such application is the utilization of a PMA in a resistive training device possibly for a microgravity environment (prolonged space flight). In this demonstration the PMA acts as an antagonist generating a resistive load, which the D.C. servomotor, representing the human operator, works against. A 90o isokinetic (constant velocity) rotation of the D.C. servomotor shaft is achieved at eight PMA pressures each of which generates a different resistive load.
PUBLICATIONS
Peer-Reviewed Journal Abstracts
- Phillips, C.A., M.J. Gerschutz, D.B. Reynolds, D.W. Repperger J.L. Serres, and S.R. Mohler. Dynamic Control Modeling of an Antagonist Pneumatic Muscle when Performing a Simulated Knee Extension Task. Aviation, Space and Environmental Medicine 2008: 79 (3), 235.
Journal Publication Submissions
- Serres, J.L., D.B. Reynolds, C.A. Phillips, M.J. Gerschutz and D.W. Repperger. Characterization of a Phenomenological Model for Commercial Pneumatic Muscle Actuators. Computers Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering (August 2008)
- Serres, J.L., D.B. Reynolds, C.A. Phillips, D.R. Rogers, and D.W. Repperger. Characterization of a Pneumatic Muscle Test Station with Two Dynamic Plants in Cascade. Computers Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering (November 2008)
- Serres, J.L., C.A. Phillips, D.B. Reynolds, S.R. Mohler, D.R. Rogers, D.W. Repperger and M.J. Gerschutz. Lower Extremity Resistive Exercise Device Utilizing an Antagonistic Pneumatic Muscle Actuator. Aviation, Space and Environmental Medicine (November 2008)
PRESENTATIONS
Conference Presentations
- Garber, J.L., D.B. Reynolds, and C.A. Phillips. Dynamic Characterization of Pneumatic Muscle Actuators. 2nd Annual Dayton Engineering Science Symposium. October 31, 2006.
- Serres, J.L., D.B. Reynolds, and C.A. Phillips. A Test Apparatus for the Characterization of a Festo Pneumatic Muscle Actuator. 3rd Annual Dayton Engineering Science Symposium. October 29, 2007.
- Serres, J.L., D.B. Reynolds, and C.A. Phillips. Dynamic Modeling of Pneumatic Muscle Actuators for Physical Therapy Applications. Society of Engineering Science 45th Technical Meeting. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. October 12-15, 2008.
Tau Beta Pi is hosting a Graduate School Information Seminar - November 10
Also around the Russ Center...
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