MEM AY0910
(Current topics - subject to change)
(as of 9/23/09)
*** New
addition at the bottom of page ***
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MEM-T01 |
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Advisor(s) |
Nicholas Cernansky and Richard Cairncross |
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Project Title |
Bubble Column
Reactor for Biodiesel Production |
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Problem
Statement |
Students will continue to develop a bubble column reactor for conversion of alternative feedstocks into biodiesel. Biodiesel is an alternative fuel that can be produced from a wide variety of plant oils, animal oils and waste oils from food processing. The conventional feedstocks for Biodiesel production are refined vegetable oils (triglycerides) produced by intensively-managed high-value food crops such as soybeans. The reactor being designed in this project is especially suited for low-value waste oils such as yellow grease and trap grease. Many waste oils and alternative plant oils contain a significant amount of Free Fatty Acids (FFA), which lead to excessive soap production and low conversion to Biodiesel using the conventional reactors. The novel reactor in this project uses acid catalysts that do not produce soaps and runs at higher temperatures that boil the methanol – so methanol bubbles rise through a column of oil and react with the oil to produce biodiesel. The bubbling methanol provides agitation and removes the by-product water enabling higher overall conversion to biodiesel. |
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Design
Specifications |
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Contact |
Email: cernansk@coe.drexel.edu Phone: 215-895-2284 |
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MEM-T02 |
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Advisor(s) |
Young I Cho and Alex Fridman |
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Project Title |
Mechanical
Water Softener |
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Problem
Statement |
Building a device that uses plasma to reduce calcium ion concentration in water for house hold use. |
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Design
Specifications |
Successfully building a device that solves the above mentioned problem and can operate at conditions (water hardness levels, water pressure, power supply, etc…) that prevail in a typical US homes. |
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Contact |
Email: choyi@coe.drexel.edu Phone: 215-895-2425 |
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MEM-T03 |
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Advisor(s) |
Alisa Clyne |
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Project Title |
Spinning disk to measure cell mechanical adhesion |
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Problem
Statement |
Most cells in the body must attach to a substrate to
survive. The strength of the adhesions between the cell and the substrate are
critical to tissue development, maintenance, and repair. The force of cell
adhesion to various substrates can be measured using a spinning disk.
Adherent cells are placed in a chamber filled with a spinning solution, which
applies a linear range of forces to the attached cells. A demarcation line
forms between where cells remain attached and where they detached, which
indicates the adhesion force. |
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Design
Specifications |
We would like to build a mini-spinning disk device that mounts on a microscopy platform so that we can dynamically image cell adhesion over time. This project will require mechanical design and manufacturing of the device, electrical control of the motor, fluids analysis of the applied forces, and some cell culture. |
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Contact |
Email: asm67@drexel.edu Phone: 215-895-2366 |
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MEM-T04 |
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Advisor(s) |
Alisa Clyne |
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Project Title |
Single cell mechanical testing device |
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Problem
Statement |
Our laboratory investigates how endothelial cell mechanics
change in health and disease, and we relate these changes to vascular
diseases. While a variety of techniques exist to study cell mechanics, no
technique can measure single attached cell mechanics without physically
contacting the cell. We created a dielectrophoretic
device to trap single cells and study their mechanical properties. We would
now like to control cell attachment to the device through protein
micro-contact printing, incorporate a microfluidic
chamber, and validate the device by comparing our mechanical measurements
with those from an atomic force microscope. This project requires microfabrication
(microcontact printing and microfluidics),
analysis of force produced by an electric field (dielectrophoresis)
and how that force is transmitted to a cell, and atomic force microscopy.
There will be some cell culture as well. |
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Design
Specifications |
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Contact |
Email: asm67@drexel.edu Phone: 215-895-2366 |
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MEM-T05 |
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Advisor(s) |
Bradley Layton |
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Project Title |
Home emergency power |
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Problem
Statement |
The present invention relate to a suit case like device
that contain solar panels and a space for batteries department that will be
able to run, lights, heater or micro wave oven/small stove in case of
emergency. |
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Design
Specifications |
The concept is relatively straightforward, to provide an
emergency power system in cases of emergencies. The present invention
recognizes the value of a device in the case of emergency such as a storm,
whether it is from hurricanes, ice and or, wind etc, when people will need
emergence of power that is no longer available. It will provide enough power
that a person will be able to survive till the necessary power is regain from
other means. There are many variation of solar power, the solar case will be commercialize
device that people will be able to keep in their home and will be able to use
when the threat of emergency of power failure. To emphasize the importance of
the solar case is in area of the world that has had major power outage for
long period of time. The solar panel will be secure in place in the case like
device. Using thin film lithium rechargeable batteries that will store enough
power to run a portable device as a for cooking
lights, heater or small stove (hot plate), for surviving till emergency
personnel arrive. The solar panel will be secure in place in the case like
device. Using thin film lithium rechargeable batteries that will store enough
power to run a portable device as a for cooking
lights, heater or small stove (hot plate), for surviving till emergency
personnel arrive. The solar case will be constructed of a fiber/plastic that
will be able to with stand the heat of the sun on the solar panels. The solar
case will come with a handle so that it will be easily able to move as need
be. Heater will be heated from a coil and a fan to force hot air out into
room or area being heated. Other solar heater or heated by circulating water. |
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Contact |
Email: blay@drexel.edu Phone: 215-895-1752 |
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MEM-T06 |
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Advisor(s) |
Surya Kalidindi |
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Project Title |
Nanoindentation |
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Problem
Statement |
The goal of the senior design team in this project will be
to develop a fully automated system that will gather the raw data on a square
grid on a sample, and analyze it as per the recently developed and validated
models in our research group, and produce maps of various indentation
properties. |
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Design
Specifications |
Nanoindentation, where a diamond
indenter is pressed on to a softer material, is a versatile tool for
measuring the mechanical properties from small material volumes. At the
Mechanics of Microstructures Group (MMG) at Drexel University, we have
recently developed novel data analysis procedures that can capture a wealth
of information about the mechanical properties of the sample from a single
indentation experiment. However in order to generate maps of indentation
(maps containing 1000 indentation points or more) and also to commercialize
our analysis techniques, there is an urgent need for automating the analysis
system. There isn't a commercial system available in the market at this time
for this purpose. Given its importance to scientific community, this product
will have significant commercial value if it is properly developed and
demonstrated to work. http://mmg.materials.drexel.edu |
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Contact |
Email: skalidind@coe.drexel.edu Phone: 215-895-2352 |
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MEM-T07 |
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Advisor(s) |
Jin Kang |
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Project Title |
Establishing a ground
station for communicating with satellites |
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Problem
Statement |
Drexel University is
developing a nano-satellite(1kg
satellite!). The project involves developing a ground station (antenna,
tracker, software, amateur radio, etc.) that enables data transfer and
commanding of the satellite in space. |
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Design
Specifications |
This project involves development of both H/W and S/W. It will be electronics intensive, and a great opportunity to gain hands-on experience dealing with RF communication such as amateur HAM radios. An outline of the project is as follows: l Establishing a ground station that can track and communicate with satellites in low earth orbit l Developing a communication architecture n Direct/relayed link? n How much data up/downloaded per minute? n Internet connection to the ground station? Networking with other ground stations around the world? n Public interaction/awareness promotion? (data summary messaging service for people who sign up through website?) l Testing n Realistic (and FUN!!) way of testing the ground station u Balloon flight? Model airplane? Payload on UAV? Freshmen on a bicycle? n Tracking of other satellites in space Take-aways
of the project are as follows: l
Understanding
of RF communication and communication architecture l
Understanding
of design process from the start (proposal) to finish (assembly, integration,
and test: AIT). This is especially a good opportunity because this experience
can be applied to any design/manufacturing process, and is a MUST for all
successful engineers. l
Be the
‘Founding Fathers/Mothers’ of Drexel’s FIRST EVER satellite ground station! |
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Contact |
Email: jinkang@drexel.edu Phone: 215-571-3519 |
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MEM-T08 |
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Advisor(s) |
Jin Kang |
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Project Title |
Design and prototyping of
Drexel University’s first satellite |
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Problem
Statement |
Drexel University is
building a nano-satellite(1kg
satellite!). The project involves performing conceptual design of the
satellite within given constraints and requirements. It also includes
demonstrating the design concepts and testing the hardware. |
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Design
Specifications |
This project involves development of both H/W and S/W. Both designing and development work will be performed through pre-determined phases of the projects. The team will gain experience in the development process of a multi-disciplinary system by learning the process of flowing down design requirements from the mission objective, down to the detailed subsystem designs. The second half of the projects will be hands-on manufacturing of hardware based on the design concepts laid out in the first half of the course. Some of the activities include: l
Satellite
design using ‘systems engineering’ approach and process l
Developing
prototypes and testing l
Development of
‘Engineering Model’ l
Hardware
testing l
Building
foundation for Drexel’s FIRST SATELLITE!! |
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Contact |
Email: jinkang@drexel.edu Phone: 215-571-3519 |
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MEM-T09 |
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Advisor(s) |
Jin Kang |
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Project Title |
Design and prototyping of
space-borne attitude determination sensor |
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Problem
Statement |
Drexel University is
building a nano-satellite(1kg
satellite!). The project involves designing and manufacturing attitude
sensors that determine the orientation and possibly position of a satellite
in orbit. |
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Design
Specifications |
Attitude determination is an important part of
satellite operation. Many critical components depend on knowing where the
satellite is and which way it is facing. Without knowing the orientation, a
satellite cannot perform most of its actuation or mission. The goal of the
project is to develop miniature sensors that use its environmental elements
(such as sun-light) to determine the orientation of the platform it sits on.
It can be accomplished with a single sensor, or a suite of simple sensors
working together. The sensor design must meet the following criteria: ·
Low power consumption ·
Small in size (<10cm) ·
Fast responding ·
Must be able to survive in space environment This project will be challenging both mechanically
and electronically. The team must work together to lay out a plan/schedule,
as well as design and develop a prototype for testing. Experience gained will
include understanding of the entire scope of design process from requirements
flow down to prototyping and testing, and also include hands-on work on a
realistic combined electronics/ mechanics platform. |
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Contact |
Email: jinkang@drexel.edu Phone: 215-571-3519 |
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MEM-T10 |
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Advisor(s) |
MinJun Kim |
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Project Title |
Insect Flight |
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Problem
Statement |
A fundamental study of detailed wing kinematics and
aerodynamics in insect flight, including the fabrication of an artificial
foldable hind wing and a biologically-inspired motor-driven flapping-wing
system will be carried out. |
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Design
Specifications |
The
working principle of folding/unfolding mechanisms of a beetle hind wing will
be demonstrated using artificial in-plane hind wings and MSC/ADAMS
simulations. Results will be used to fabricate SMA-actuated foldable hind
wings for biologically-inspired flappers. Simultaneously, efforts will be
made to model, design, fabricate and control an insect-inspired flapping-wing
system that mimics beetle flight with artificial foldable hind wings in terms
of flapping frequency and wing kinematics. A prototype of beetle-like
flapping wing micro aerial vehicles will be developed in collaboration with
the WPAFB scientists and engineers. |
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Contact |
Email: minjun.kim@drexel.edu Phone: 215-895-2295 |
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MEM-T11 |
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Advisor(s) |
MinJun Kim |
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Project Title |
Biomimetic drug delivery |
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Problem
Statement |
A biomimetic, microscale drug delivery system with active propulsion is
demonstrated. |
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Design
Specifications |
The
device is based off of the propulsion system of bacteria such as Escherichia
coli, and makes use of flagella filaments isolated from S. typhimurium. A
rotating magnetic field induces rotation in a flagella conjugated magnetic
bead, which creates propusion. The flagella act as both a fluidic actuator
for device propulsion and as a coupler for a polystyrene bead, which is used
in place of a specific drug delivery system. The devices are controlled via LabVIEW and are simulated in MATLAB and COMSOL. |
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Contact |
Email: minjun.kim@drexel.edu Phone: 215-895-2295 |
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MEM-T12 |
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Advisor(s) |
E. Caglan Kumbur and MinJun Kim |
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Project Title |
Visualization of Transport in Fuel Cell Porous Media (Alternative Energy Technology topic) |
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Problem
Statement |
With the potential for high power density and efficiency, fuel cells hold the most promise for powering future portable, automotive and stationary applications. One major challenge that needs to be resolved for widespread fuel cell use and commercialization is the concept of microfluidic management. Water management in low temperature polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs) represents a major bottleneck not only for efficient fuel cell operation, but also for operational stability and durability under normal and cold-start operations. The efficient operation of a PEFC requires a delicate balance between membrane hydration and avoidance of flooding of thin-film porous fuel cell media. In other words, the water generated by reaction needs to both be removed and retained at the same time. This
project seeks to understand and define the water transport mechanism in the
fuel cell porous media to provide more insight for the water management
problem in PEFC. The fuel cell porous media is constructed from non-woven
carbon paper or woven carbon cloth, having a pore size ranging from a few
microns to tens of microns. The team is expected to devise an analogous
experimental test setup, where they will be able to simulate and visualize
the water transport phenomena in the pores of fuel cell media by using high
speed camera. Additional imagining techniques available at Drexel Centralized
Research Facility will also be utilized for scanning the internal structure
of fuel cell media to provide complementary data for the experiments. |
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Design
Specifications |
Deliverables: Visual images of
water transport patterns in fuel cell porous media |
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Contact |
Email: eck32@drexel.edu Phone: 215-895-5871 |
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MEM-T13 |
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Advisor(s) |
E. Caglan Kumbur |
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Project Title |
Performance Characterization of PEM Fuel Cells for
Automotive Application (Alternative
Energy Technology topic) |
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Problem
Statement |
With the potential for high power density and efficiency, fuel cells hold the most promise for powering future portable, automotive and stationary applications. Among the various fuel cell types, polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells are the most suited for many stationary, portable and automotive applications as they offer low operating temperature (<100°C), high efficiency (>50%), noise-free operation, rapid start-up time, and suitable transient response characteristics. In general, PEM fuel cells are electrochemical conversion devices that convert the chemical energy of a fuel and oxidizer directly into electric energy. Due to their advantages, PEM fuel cells are considered as the primary candidate that will replace the internal combustion engine in automotive applications. This
project aims at investigating the performance of a PEM fuel cell at different
driving conditions to define the performance limits, and determine the
effects of operating conditions on the performance of a single PEM fuel cell.
The team is expected to devise and set-up a fuel cell testing station, where
they will perform single cell testing based on a predetermined experimental
protocol to capture/analyze the changes in the performance as a function of
several parameters. |
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Design
Specifications |
Deliverables: Performance data
for different set of operating conditions. |
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Contact |
Email: eck32@drexel.edu Phone: 215-895-5871 |
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MEM-T14 |
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Advisor(s) |
Bradley Layton |
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Project Title |
Drexel Auto-X electrical and motor |
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Problem
Statement |
Complete electrical system for Drexel Auto-X |
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Design
Specifications |
Students must complete the electrical system for Drexel
Auto-X car. Required modifications include adding regenerative braking via an
electrical capacitance system. |
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Contact |
Email: blay@drexel.edu Phone: 215-895-1752 |
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MEM-T15 |
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Advisor(s) |
Bradley Layton |
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Project Title |
Drexel Auto-X shell, frame and windshield |
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Problem
Statement |
Complete shell, windshield and frame for Drexel Auto-X
team |
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Design
Specifications |
Students must revise current design of carbon fiber shell.
Skills required include computational fluid dynamics analysis and full-scale
layup of carbon fiber material. Modifications to existing frame |
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Contact |
Email: blay@drexel.edu Phone: 215-895-1752 |
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MEM-T16 |
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Advisor(s) |
Bradley Layton |
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Project Title |
Surgical Stapler |
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Problem
Statement |
Complete and test design of biocompatible material for use
in an animal model. |
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Design
Specifications |
Students must revise existing CAD drawings and produce a
working prototype for use in an animal model. Finite element analysis of the
staple and mechanical testing of specimens required. |
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Contact |
Email: blay@drexel.edu Phone: 215-895-1752 |
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MEM-T17 |
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Advisor(s) |
Bradley Layton |
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Project Title |
Drexel Human Powered Vehicle |
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Problem
Statement |
Design a human-powered vehicle for ASME competition |
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Design
Specifications |
Students will either rebuild or create a new vehicle for
competition in Connecticut in the spring. For more details, Google “Drexel DragonWagon.” Vehicles must be capable of navigating the
East Coast Greenway from Philadelphia to the competition site in Connecticut
using an electrical assist strategy. |
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Contact |
Email: blay@drexel.edu Phone: 215-895-1752 |
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MEM-T18 |
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Advisor(s) |
Bradley Layton |
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Project Title |
Urban Turbine |
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Problem
Statement |
Design a wind turbine for an urban setting |
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Design
Specifications |
Students will continue to develop an existing wind
turbine. Skills required include fluid mechanics, mechanics of structures,
electrical conversion |
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Contact |
Email: blay@drexel.edu Phone: 215-895-1752 |
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MEM-T19 |
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Advisor(s) |
Bradley Layton |
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Project Title |
HS Special Needs Assistance |
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Problem
Statement |
Develop a system to assist special needs students |
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Design
Specifications |
I am actively involved in a philanthropic support role at
the Larc School in Bellmawr, NJ, which a Special
Education program. (www.larcshool.org ) I have had discussions in the past with
Susan Weiner, the Executive Director at Larc, about
the possibility of a Senior Design team taking on a special need for the Larc School. Upon
receipt of the email from Barbara Johnson, I have contacted Ms. Weiner and
asked her if the school was still interested in developing a special needs
product, to which she responded enthusiastically in the affirmative. As such, I would like to offer my firm as
the Sponsor for a Senior Design Team in the upcoming school year and would
like to get Ms. Weiner to meet with you as soon as possible so we can begin
the develop the plan for the program |
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Contact |
Email: blay@drexel.edu Phone: 215-895-1752 Susan Weiner shsweiner@aol.com. Phone:
856-933-3725 |
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MEM-T20 |
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Advisor(s) |
Bradley Layton |
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Project Title |
Green Tech |
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Problem Statement |
To design a sustainable technology |
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Design
Specifications |
Specifically, if people are looking to do projects with
renewable energy (solar, wind, cogeneration), any sort of "green" design
with buildings or building design in general, I am available to help. If you
could spread the word around MEM as well as to the Civil and Arch Department
since I know a lot of students there do a lot of those types of projects. |
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Contact |
Email: blay@drexel.edu Phone: 215-895-1752 |
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MEM-T21 |
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Advisor(s) |
Moses Noh |
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Project Title |
Microfluidic platform for
studying the effect of sickle cell on vascular occlusion |
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Problem
Statement |
The effect of intracapillary sickling of red blood cells on vascular occlusion is not well understood. We will develop a microfluidic platform that will enable to: (A) Determine to what extent intracapillary
sickling is mechanically occlusive at various sickling extents. (B) Examine the mechanical processes that lead to
occlusion in a post-capillary venule. (C) Determine what differences exist in multiple sickling of cells in a constraining capillary compared to
cells sickled in an open vessel. (D) Measure the effect of residual polymers on occlusion
in capillaries and venules. |
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Design
Specifications |
The proposed microfluidic platform needs to be designed to: (A) Mimic the geometry of microcirculation (B) Be capable of accurate flow control
(flow-stop-reflow) (C) Be integrated with laser photolysis technique that facilitate |
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Contact |
Email: mosesnoh@coe.drexel.edu Phone: 215-895-2273 |
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MEM-T22 |
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Advisor(s) |
Moses Noh |
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Project Title |
Micropatterned nitric oxide
(NO)-sensing chamber for studying the effect of substrate topography on endothelial
cell morphology |
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Problem
Statement |
Endothelial cells grown on a substrate with micron-scale
grooves causes a dramatic increase in the expression of some signaling
molecules that are localized to membrane domains (caveolae)
and are involved in nitric oxide (NO) production. Current technique for
measuring NO production in response to flow (shear tress) involves culturing
the cells on a porous membrane and exposing them to flow while measuring NO
with an electrode placed on the other side of the membrane (out of the
flow). The goal of this project is to find a way to either reproduce
the topography of the substrate on the porous membrane without interfering
with diffusion of NO to the electrode or, as an alternative, print thin lines
of adhesive molecules on the porous membrane and see if we get the same
effect on cell morphology and caveolae
distribution. |
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Design
Specifications |
The proposed micropatterning
needs to be done on the porous membrane of the currently used NO-sensing
chamber. |
|
Contact |
Email: mosesnoh@coe.drexel.edu Phone: 215-895-2273 |
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MEM-T23 |
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Advisor(s) |
Moses Noh |
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Project Title |
Microfluidics Laboratory (MFL)
Modules and Kits |
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Problem
Statement |
Microfluidics technology is rapidly
spreading and is widely becoming adapted to many areas of industry and
research, from new means of drug delivery and
clinical diagnosis to fuel cells for consumer electronics. In spite of
the rapidly growing need for both microfluidics
technology and a trained workforce, the current undergraduate curricula of
most engineering schools are not well prepared to meet the need. The main objective of this project is to
develop and test a set of laboratory modules and kits that will allow
engineering and science students to explore microscale
fluid behaviors and microfluidic devices. This project will build on the progress
made by the last year’s team that successfully developed several elementary
modules. The main tasks of this year’s
team are 1) to further refine the current MFL modules and kits, and 2) to
develop new MFL modules and kits. |
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Design
Specifications |
The MFL modules and kits should be designed to be able to
be implemented with minimal necessary instruments in undergraduate lab
courses. |
|
Contact |
Email: mosesnoh@coe.drexel.edu Phone: 215-895-2273 |
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MEM-T24 |
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Advisor(s) |
Moses Noh |
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Project Title |
Characterization of Microstereolithography
System |
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Problem
Statement |
A new microstereolithography system
(Viper SLA, 3D Systems) will be acquired and installed in Hess Lab in fall,
2009. This system will greatly improve
3-D micromanufacturing capability of Drexel’s
research enterprise. The goal of the team is to characterize the performance
of the new microstereolithography system and to
explore its applications. Resolution and minimum feature size, properties of
devices made of different resin materials, the effects of operational
parameters on the fabricated structures, proper cleaning technique, and will
be included in the characterization study.
The possibility of building 3-D microstructures on top of 2-D micropatterned substrates will also be explored. |
|
Design
Specifications |
The characterization study will be limited by the
operational guidelines provided by the vendor. The hardware will not be
modified. |
|
Contact |
Email: mosesnoh@coe.drexel.edu Phone: 215-895-2273 |
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MEM-T25 |
|
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Advisor(s) |
Moses Noh |
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Project Title |
Characterization of Excimer
Laser Ablation System |
|
Problem Statement |
A new excimer laser ablation
system (Rapid X250, Resonetics Corp.) will be
acquired and installed in Hess Lab in fall, 2009. This system will greatly improve 3-D micromanufacturing capability of Drexel’s research
enterprise. The goal of the team is to characterize the performance of the
new excimer laser ablation system and to explore
its applications. Resolution and minimum feature size, optimal process
parameters for diverse materials (glass, silicon, polymers, and metals), and
the effects of operational parameters on the fabricated structures will be
included in the characterization study.
In order to demonstrate the utility of the system, microneedles
and microvalves will be fabricated to be used as
implantable devices as a part of a current NIH project. |
|
Design
Specifications |
The characterization study will be limited by the
operational guidelines provided by the vendor. |
|
Contact |
Email: mosesnoh@coe.drexel.edu Phone: 215-895-2273 |
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MEM-T26 |
|
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Advisor(s) |
Bradley Layton |
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Project Title |
Robotic Agriculture |
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Problem
Statement |
Design a simple circuit for an agricultural robot |
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Design
Specifications |
This robot will be a small, land-based robot meant to operate independently on depleted land. Must be familiar with or willing to learn computer language LOGO to help me write a new artificial intelligence for the robot. This can be one person or two.
I think any student with some robotics experience from a
hobbyist level or better can do this. They can do the work off-site at their
own pace. I would plan on weekly progress reports by phone or IM. |
|
Contact |
Email: blay@drexel.edu Phone: 215-895-1752 Rudy Behrens: rudolph@solariscybernetics.com Phone: 610-564-6154 |
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MEM-T27 |
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|
Advisor(s) |
Jack Zhou |
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Project Title |
Disposable Micro fluidic test cassette design |
|
Problem
Statement |
To design a simple plastic disposable cassette that can pick
up 5-10 micro liters of sample in one step for microscopic studies. Background: For
many diagnostic applications, it is important to count specific cells in
bodily fluids. Traditionally, a thin layer of the sample is smeared onto a
microscopic slide, dried, stained, and placed under a microscope for
counting. More recently, disposable glass or plastic hemocytomers
that is about the size of a microscope slide are used to hold a thin layer of
liquid sample with stained cells in a molded cavity. This protocol can save
steps in the staining and drying protocol. For some high volume testing,
disposable plastic cuvettes with staining reagent
pre-dried inside a small cavity has been developed. That allows a one step
sampling and staining protocol for cell counting, however, the molding of cuvettes with very narrow cross-section, and the special
equipment required to dry the reagents evenly inside the cuvettes
has made it difficult to reduce the cost of production. It is, however,
desirable to develop a disposable plastic cassette with built in
microstructure that has an open structure for the cassette. The ideal
cassette will have reagent dried on one side, and allow the user to use it
like a dip stick, i.e., simply dip the reagent end of the cassette into the sample
for sample pick up and reaction. |
|
Design
Specifications |
1. The plastic cassette has dimensions no bigger than 1 cm x 3 cm. 2. The plastic cassette is constructed either by molding or embossing with hydrophobic plastic materials such as polystyrene, with microstructures (e.g. pillars, channels, dots, etc) to sample and hold sample as a thin layer. 2. The side with microstructure will pick up < 10 uL of milk or blood samples, forming a thin layer with a thickness of < 0.1 mm. 3. The side with microstructure will be coated with air-dried reagent that will mix with the sample quickly upon wetting by the sample. 4. The cassette can have an optional adhesive tape cover to allow sample introduction by capillary action. 5. The manufacturing cost of the blank cassette has to be < $0.05. 6. The cassette can be manufactured in volume of > 3M
per year. |
|
Contact |
Email: zhoug@drexel.edu Phone: 215-895-1478 |
|
MEM-T28 |
|
|
Advisor(s) |
Tein-Min
Tan and Karl Bernetich (The Boeing Company) |
|
Project Title |
Composite Acoustic Guitar |
|
Problem
Statement |
Advances in materials make it interesting to contemplate modern materials in traditional applications. An example is to use composite materials to replace the wooden top of an acoustic guitar. In this project, students will • Research existing literature and patents related to composite material uses in soundboards and stringed instruments. • Research acoustic related and sound producing design effects of an acoustic guitar • Model an acoustic guitar soundboard and perform vibrational analysis. • Iterate design solution for a composite soundboard varying ply lay-up, cored laminate and other stiffening methods (i.e. traditional guitar bracing) • Fabricate and build a composite acoustic guitar body • Verify analysis with construction • Time
available, incorporate a composite neck |
|
Design
Specifications |
Deliverables: An acoustic guitar with composite soundboard
and neck |
|
Contact |
Email: tan@drexel.edu Phone: 215-895-2293 |
|
MEM-T29 |
|
|
Advisor(s) |
Bakhtier Farouk |
|
Project Title |
Design and
construction of a pulse-tube refrigerator for achieving cryogenic cooling |
|
Problem
Statement |
A pulse tube refrigerator is to be designed and built by
the design group in that will attain a minimum temperature of 100 K (-173 Subject areas:
Acoustics, fluid mechanics, heat exchanger design, refrigeration |
|
Design
Specifications |
See Problem
Statement above |
|
Contact |
Email: bfarouk@coe.drexel.edu Phone: 215-895-2287 |
|
MEM-T30 |
|
|
Advisor(s) |
Rob Bone |
|
Project Title |
FSAE |
|
Problem
Statement |
- Carbon Fiber Wheels: S.D. Team will be responsible for design,analysis, manufacturing, and testing of a scaled one piece carbon fiber prototype. The idea is make a lighter weight wheel that is as strong or stronger than the current wheels.
- Design of a Universal Chassis Jig for Tube Frame Vehicles: S.D. Team will be responsible for design,analysis, manufacturing, and testing of chassis jigging system that can be used from year to year for the FSAE team. The idea is to save money in the long run and make it quick and easy for chassis assembly.
- Analysis of Aluminum Shearplate and Rearbox: S.D.Team will be responsible for design,analysis, and testing of current rearbox design to find weakness and improve upon it. Suggestions should be made for the manufacturing of a second box.
- Driver Ergonomics: S.D. Team will be responsible for design, analysis, manufacturing, and testing of the driver's environment, which includes seat shape, steering wheel location, pedal loction, and manual shifter location. Team must also consider mutliple driver sizes.
-And any other project that they would like to do for
the car |
|
Design
Specifications |
See Problem
Statement above |
|
Contact |
Email: drexel.fsae@gmail.com Phone: |
|
MEM-T31 |
|
|
Advisor(s) |
Rich Cairncross |
|
Project Title |
Design of a
Water Distribution and Supply System for a Rural Community in El Salvador |
|
Problem
Statement |
It is estimated that roughly one billion people worldwide
lack access to adequate drinking water resources, a problem that is
exacerbated by an ever growing world population. Addressing the issues associated with water
scarcity are projected to be one the biggest challenges to sustainable
development in the 21st century (Corwin and Bradford
2008),
as well as one of the greatest points of contention (Shiva 2002). Although some regions have physical water
shortages, where the amount of water available is limited, other countries
are constrained primarily by a lack of infrastructure with which to withdraw
and distribute available water resources.
One such country is El Salvador where compounding factors, including
civil unrest, have left much of the rural population lacking water
infrastructure to supply basic domestic needs such as drinking and
sanitation. A community known as
Miramar, located in the western region of El Salvador ten miles off the
Pacific Coast, is in need of a water supply and distribution system. Activities such as the design of a piping
and pumping network, water storage tank, and a sustainable water management
and treatment plan would be the focus of this project. Special considerations in the design
process will be given to sustainable development and appropriate technology,
as well as the tectonically active nature of the region. The opportunity to implement this design in
conjunction with Drexel Engineers Without Borders (EWB) exists. |
|
Design
Specifications |
See Problem
Statement above |
|
Contact |
Email: Richard.allan.cairncross@drexel.edu Phone: 215-895-2230 |
|
MEM-T32 |
|
|
Advisor(s) |
Rich Cairncross |
|
Project Title |
Design of a
Rainwater Harvesting System for Stormwater
Management and Irrigation Purposes in Philadelphia |
|
Problem
Statement |
Amongst
the targets outlined in Greenworks Philadelphia,
Mayor Nutter’s recently announced initiative to become the nation’s greenest city
by the year 2015, are the management of stormwater
to meet federal standards and bringing local food within a 10 minute walk of
75 percent of the city’s residents (Mayor Michael A.
Nutter 2009). In evaluating methods with which the issues
of stormwater management and local access to fresh
produce can be achieved, the practices of rainwater harvesting and expansion
of community gardens or urban farms present viable solutions that are even
more sensible when coupled together.
Rainwater harvesting (RWH), the practice of capturing rainwater either
directly or as surface runoff from a catchment area, can reduce runoff by retaining
stormwater. Harvested rainwater has been adopted
widely as source of irrigation water in community gardens in NYC. Although only a limited number of gardens
in Philadelphia have adopted RWH technologies, though there is a rising
interest. Members of hOURS, a local currency program, as well as West Philly
Digs envision converting vacant lots to grow fruits and vegetables, utilizing
RWH to supply a water source. Design
of RWH and irrigation systems for these sites (which can be adopted as
separate projects) would be the main concern of this project. At least one project will require the
design of a structure off of which to capture rainwater. Evaluation of and consideration for the
physical, health and social impacts that such practices could have will also
present areas of focus. |
|
Design
Specifications |
See Problem
Statement above |
|
Contact |
Email: Richard.allan.cairncross@drexel.edu Phone: 215-895-2230 |
|
MEM-T33 |
|
|
Advisor(s) |
Young I Cho
and Alex Fridman |
|
Project Title |
Escalator
hand rail sterilization using cold plasma |
|
Problem
Statement |
Design a system to sterilize hand rails of escalators using cold plasma. |
|
Design
Specifications |
Design must be patentable Ensure that the cold plasma does not compromise the structural rigidity of the hand rail or cause premature failure of the hand rail. The plasma sterilization process does not negatively
impact the quality of the air. System must be retrofitted into existing hand rail designs |
|
Contact |
Email: choyi@drexel.edu Phone: 215-895-2425 |
|
MEM-T34 |
|
|
Advisor(s) |
B. C. Chang
(MEM) bchang@coe.drexel.edu |
|
Project Title |
Control of
autonomous unmanned spinning flying vehicles |
|
Problem
Statement |
Electromechanical
actuators, DSP microprocessors, flight dynamics, computer graphical
visualization of 3D dynamics, design/simulation/implementation of flight
control systems |
|
Design
Specifications |
Design a sensing/navigation/control system for
an unmanned, autonomous, spinning flying vehicle, and build a working
prototype. The team will be composed of 2 CS and 2 MEM
students. All students must be US citizens. The CS students will design a digital control
system to achieve stability, command following, flight path tracking, and
disturbance rejection. They will use computer graphics to help visualize the
3D dynamics of the vehicle. The MEM
students will design electromechanical actuators and integrate them with DSP
microprocessors to control the deflection of canards and the flight path of
the vehicle. The MEM students will also investigate the flight dynamics and
build a mathematical model that demonstrates how the control actuators would
affect the flight. |
|
Contact |
Email: bchang@coe.drexel.edu Phone: |
|
MEM-T35 |
|
|
Advisor(s) |
Surya Kalidindi |
|
Project Title |
Nanoindentation |
|
Problem
Statement |
Nanoindentation, where a diamond indenter is pressed on to a softer material, is a versatile tool for measuring the mechanical properties from small material volumes. At the Mechanics of Microstructures Group (MMG) at Drexel University, we have recently developed novel data analysis procedures that can capture a wealth of information about the mechanical properties of the sample from a single indentation experiment. However in order to generate maps of indentation (maps containing 1000 indentation points or more) and also to commercialize our analysis techniques, there is an urgent need for automating the analysis system. |
|
Design
Specifications |
|
|
Contact |
Email: skalidin@coe.drexel.edu Phone: |
|
MEM-T36 |
|
|
Advisor(s) |
Bradley Layton |
|
Project Title |
Wind Turbine |
|
Problem
Statement |
Students will continue to develop an existing wind turbine. Skills required include fluid mechanics, mechanics of structures, electrical conversion |
|
Design
Specifications |
|
|
Contact |
Email: blay@drexel.edu Phone: 215-895-1752 |
|
MEM-T37 |
|
|
Advisor(s) |
Bradley Layton |
|
Project Title |
Auto X-Prize |
|
Problem
Statement |
Students will continue to develop the Drexel Auto-X vehicle for demonstration in 2010 |
|
Design
Specifications |
|
|
Contact |
Email: blay@drexel.edu Phone: 215-895-1752 |
|
MEM-T38 |
|
|
Advisor(s) |
Bradley Layton |
|
Project Title |
Human-Electric
Vehicle |
|
Problem
Statement |
Students will continue to develop two vehicles to compete in the ASME HPVC in Connecticut in April 2010 |
|
Design
Specifications |
|
|
Contact |
Email: blay@drexel.edu Phone: 215-895-1752 |
|
MEM-T39 |
|
|
Advisor(s) |
Gregory Gamble |
|
Project Title |
Home Solar
Power |
|
Problem
Statement |
The present invention relate to a suit case like device that contain solar panels and a space for batteries department that will be able to run, lights, heater or micro wave oven/small stove in case of emergency. The concept is relatively straightforward, to provide an emergency power system in cases of emergencies.The present invention recognizes the value of a device in the case of emergency such as a storm, whether it is from hurricanes, ice and or, wind etc, when people will need emergence of power that is no longer available.It will provide enough power that a person will be able to survive till the necessary power is regain from other means. There are many variation of solar power, the solar case will be commercialize device that people will be able to keep in their home and will be able to use when the threat of emergency of power failure. To emphasize the importance of the solar case is in area of the world that has had major power outage for long period of time. The solar panel will be secure in place in the case like device. Using thin film lithium rechargeable batteries that will store enough power to run a portable device as a for cooking lights, heater or small stove (hot plate), for surviving till emergency personnel arrive. The solar panel will be secure in place in the case like device. Using thin film lithium rechargeable batteries that will store enough power to run a portable device as a for cooking lights, heater or small stove (hot plate), for surviving till emergency personnel arrive. The solar case will be constructed of a fiber/plastic that will be able to with stand the heat of the sun on the solar panels. The solar case will come with a handle so that it will be easily able to move as need be. Heater will be heated from a coil and a fan to force hot air out into room or area being heated. Other solar heater or heated by circulating water. |
|
Design
Specifications |
|
|
Contact |
Email: Phone: 610-745-6100 |
|
MEM-T40 |
|
|
Advisor(s) |
Kevin J. Loftus, President/CEO, Loftus Construction, Inc., |
|
Project Title |
Larc
School in Bellmawr, NJ, Special Education program |
|
Problem
Statement |
|
|
Design
Specifications |
|
|
Contact |
Email: Phone: 856-786-6607 |
|
MEM-T41 |
|
|
Advisor(s) |
Ani Hsieh |
|
Project Title |
Design of an
Autonomous Robotic Assembly System |
|
Problem
Statement |
This design project will consist of three main parts: 1) the development of a modular, intelligent, and light-weight structural components that can be assembled to from larger, three-dimensional structures; 2) the development of control algorithms to enable a mobile manipulator to identify, transport, and place a single structural component in some pre-specified desired position; and 3) the development of an assembly algorithm to enable a single mobile manipulator to assemble a three dimensional structure out of a collection of modular, intelligent structural components based on a pre-determined structural design. |
|
Design
Specifications |
|
|
Contact |
Email: mhsieh1@drexel.edu Phone: 215.895.5870 |
|
MEM-T42 |
|
|
Advisor(s) |
Ani Hsieh, MinJun Kim |
|
Project Title |
Development
of a Robot Swarm Simulation Environment |
|
Problem
Statement |
This design project will focus on the development of a high-fidelity simulation of robots and environments of various scales. Specifically, the aim is to develop modular code that is agnostic to software and hardware for the aim of modeling, analyzing, and controlling robot swarm behavior. |
|
Design
Specifications |
|
|
Contact |
Email: mhsieh1@drexel.edu, minjun.kim@drexel.edu Phone: 215-895-2295, 215.895.5870 |
|
MEM-T43 |
|
|
Advisors |
Dr. |
|
Title |
Electrospinning of Biopolymer Fiber with Living Cells |
|
Subject |
Bio-mechanical engineering, Biomaterials, Bioengineering, Mechanics, Tissue Engineering |
|
Overview |
1) Developing a viable electro-spinning device for fabrication of biopolymer-based tissue scaffold; 2) Electrospinning biomaterials with and without living cells; 3) Characterization of as-spanned cell-integrated tissue constructs; 4) Studying effect of process parameters on cell viability and structural formability |
|
Deliverables |
Device and a set of viable process |
|
Number ME, ECE, Bio, etc |
MEM: 2 or 3 students BioM: 2 students Biomaterials: 1 student |
|
Sponsor |
NSF |
|
Website |
|
|
Contact |
Dr. |
|
MEM-T44 |
|
|
Advisors |
Dr. |
|
Title |
Control, Packaging and Tissue Engineering Application of Multi-Nozzle Heterogeneous Fabrication System |
|
Subject |
Control, Sensor, UGI, Packaging |
|
Overview |
Improvement of existing Drexel patented Multi-nozzle Heterogeneous Freeform Fabrication System by incorporating control, sensor, UGI for multi-nozzle operation, and biopolymer/cell deposition of hydrogel tissue scaffolds and biological models; and characterization and biological study of fabricated models |
|
Deliverables |
Control algorithm, functional UGI, and viable process for TE application |
|
Number ME, ECE, Bio, etc |
3 MEM students (expert in control and mechanical package/design) 1 ECE (control and UGI) 1 CS (programming and UGI) 1 BioM/Biomaterials/Cell Biology |
|
Sponsor |
NSF |
|
Website |
|
|
Contact |
Dr. |
|
MEM-T45 |
|
|
Advisors |
Michael Sulmone-Trident Emergency Products, LLC |
|
Title |
Priming pump |
|
Overview |
Increase the evacuation rate while reducing the air consumption rate. Trident will be able to provide everything that is necessary (parts machined to their specifications) for the students to build and test actual working products. |
|
Number ME, ECE, Bio, etc |
|
|
Sponsor |
Trident Emergency Products, LLC |
|
Website |
|
|
Contact |
Michael Sulmone- msulmone@tridentdirect.com |
|
MEM-T46 |
|
|
Advisors |
Tein-Min Tan and Kevin Scoles (ECE) |
|
Title |
Formula Hybrid Car Development |
|
Overview |
The 2009 MEM/ECE design team produced a Formula Hybrid car
that finished #3 in the national hybrid car competition, and #3 in
an international competition in Italy. This year's hybrid car team
has two tasks: (1) revise the current car to compete in the May
2010 hybrid competition, (2) perform design (evaluate frame, suspension,
braking, drivetrain options) for a 2011 car, and
advance the construction of this car as far as time and funding allows.
Design and construction will be done with an ECE senior design team and
the Formula Hybrid Club. A team of 4 to 5 MEM students is needed
with interests and abilities in the areas of internal combustion
engines, CAD, finite element analysis, auto systems design, machining,
welding. In some cases you can learn as you go. This is a very
hands-on project. Race driving experience also welcome.Students
will be expected to participate in COE/ECE/MEM recruitment activities
and raise internal and external funding |
|
Number ME, ECE, Bio, etc |
|
|
Sponsor |
|
|
Website |
|
|
Contact |
Tan 215-895-2293, ttan@cbis.ece.drexel.edu; Scoles |
|
MEM-T47 |
|
|
Advisors |
Maria A. Papa |
|
Title |
Drexel Smart House |
|
Overview |
Drexel Smart House will be
receiving a donation of 4 recovery units. We would like testing done on
one of the units (details are attached and below) and are asking for a report
on operating back pressures of the unit at different flow ranges and also on
thermal efficiencies and latent behavior. We will send the report to Haglid and the findings will also be provided to our
Smart House Sr. Design team for use in the HVAC design. 1. 4 BPE-XE-MIR-200 units with
fans (3 for use in the house and 1 for testing). Each fan takes 19 watts of power
at 120 VAC. 5. Haglid will provide larger fans for testing up to 250 cfm with variable speed drives. |
|
Number
ME, ECE, Bio, etc |
|
|
Sponsor
|
|
|
Website |
|
|
Contact |
Maria A. Papa map38@drexel.edu, phone: 215.895.6654 |