Senior Design Projects developed by senior level students from the Mechanical Engineering Department of the Florida International University, Fall 2017.
EML 4551 ETHICS AND DESIGN PROJECT ORGANIZATION
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[accordion-item title=”SDO – 1 NVLD: Non-Visual Leak Detection”]
Students
Tiffany Ascanio
Stephanie Forero
Jose Medina
Alexsandra Olaya
Project Advisor
Dr. Andres Tremante
Abstract
When a water leak in a home occurs, most do not become aware of it until something catastrophic happens, such as a pipe burst, which in many cases can cause a home to flood. Having a water leak detection system that can alert the homeowner, through a user-friendly interface, of a leak in their home and of the location of this leak, can avoid unnecessary complications. In many cases locating the pipe that is leaking will require help from a third party and the breakage of walls in a home to find the source. An early detection system can reduce a homeowner’s water bill and prevent home damage.
There are many ways to approach this problem. Some ways we are exploring and conducting preliminary trade-off analysis on, are methods using vibrations, magnetism, flow meters, among a few others to achieve leak detection and monitor water consumption in homes. Regardless of the method done, we will have to perform analysis of the flow patterns in the house to understand how faucets and leaks can be differed, structural analysis and design for expanding and contracting of pipes and damp environments and prototyping to test accuracy of device and improve installation methods and ideas.
An important aspect to this project is the global adaptability. Therefore, we will be working with engineers in other states to determine the new approach to this problem and how it can be affected by different regions. With this information, our team will be able to determine the effects of different climates to be considered in the design, the installation and the different maintenance schedules and processes. Our team will also complete a survey of related patents and identification of similar previous work.
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[accordion-item title=”SDO – 2 Actuator Test Stand (ATS)”]
Students
Jose Montes
Francesco Cascarano
Carlos Perez
Frank Martinez
Project Advisor
Dr. Andres Tremante
Abstract
As engineer students we focus our past and current experiences on the aviation field. The aviation company Cool & Start Aviation hired us as a consultant to create an actuator test stand. The actuator test stand will benefit the company by testing any electro-mechanical actuator fast and efficient. Currently the company works only with pneumatic units like valves, air cycle machines and starters, meaning that the test stand will open their capabilities. Our team will design, manufacture and test the performance of the machine to deliver a quality product to our customer.
As a body, we will use the frame of an arbor press which the company already owns. This arbor press will be dissembling to view which parts to use depending on the simulation analysis of model in Solidworks. Since the frame as the shape of a rectangle we can make a model standing straight with the highest length vertical, and another model lay down. In order to make a hydraulic system in this machine we will need one pump, high pressure hoses, oil, one selector valve, one reservoir and a hydraulic cylinder. After calculating the highest force that the hydraulic cylinder can do, we will test our two models in the software and choose the best one.
An issue that we will find is to control for example an output force of 200N in the hydraulic cylinder with the force of the actuator at the same time. This project will give us a real work experience and knowledge on the component maintenance manual for the actuator units of an aircraft.
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[accordion-item title=”SDO – 3 Reinventing the Wind Turbine: Portable Modular Turbine”]
Students
Yanet Baez
Abdulrahman Esmaiel
Joshua Nunez
Orett Whyte
Project Advisor
Dr. Andres Tremante
Abstract
As the world is trying to move towards more reliable and clean energy, about 25% of the world’s population still do not have access to electricity. Whether it’s because of the location of some remote areas, undeveloped countries or areas affected by natural disaster, we will attempt to design a low-cost alternative for clean energy production in the form of a Portable Modular Turbine. The models currently available in the market are either enormous commercial sized turbines, which are in no way portable, or tiny portable turbines that do not power much more than a smartphone. This gap gives us the opportunity to develop a turbine that will be portable but that will have a higher energy output.
To achieve this higher energy output, we plan to design a vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT) design that will work in both low moving water and low windy conditions, it will be weighing under 10 pounds and measuring no more than 5 feet in height, with modular detachable parts making it easy to carry and assemble/disassemble. We will be designing every part using commercially available simulation software in order to test the designs for structural stability and fluid analysis. We plan on using lightweight materials in order for the turbine to operate in low wind conditions, and various vertical turbine designs to maximize power generation potential. The design of our portable VAWT will be an entirely self-contained system, meaning that it will not any additional batteries or power converters for the storing of electricity.
As a global design initiative, we will be designing with manufacturability in different parts of the world in mind to harvest energy while using International and English units for more accuracy and preparation of multilingual user’s manual and warning labels.
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[accordion-item title=”SDO – 4 Integrated Hybrid Engine Generator”]
Students
Grant Wilcox
Karim Elsirgany
Alexandra Gonzalez
Alejandra Yepez
Walter Velasquez
Project Advisor
Dr. Andres Tremante
Abstract
As emergency situations increase in frequency and intensity, ensuring sufficient power availability is necessary for the survival of the people that find themselves in disaster stricken areas. When power is lost, emergency power systems should be in place to safeguard essential services and lifesaving equipment. During emergency situations, fuel may become scarce, therefore renewable sources of energy need to be available to keep up with the needs of the users.
An engine-generator will be designed utilizing two engines and a single electric generator. One of the engines to be used will be a Stirling engine which uses the expansion and compression of a working gas. A temperature difference drives the compression and expansion; this temperature difference will be facilitated by solar power and a heat sink. An internal combustion engine will be the second engine. An alternator will also be designed to receive two inputs to generate electricity. Auxiliary systems, such as cooling and heating, lubrication and ignition, will be designed. To determine engine designs, simulations will be conducted on different engine configurations and fuel sources will be compared.
Warnings, labels and manuals will be provided in English, Spanish and Arabic for the understanding of all the customers. The internal combustion engine will utilize a type of fuel that is most widely used around the world. Since natural disasters occur worldwide, the integrated hybrid engine generator will come as a proper and efficient solution to any of its users.
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[accordion-item title=”SDO – 5 The Combo Counter: A Force Monitoring System for a Heavy Punching Bag”]
Students
Tahsin Asgar
Tyler Dolmetsch
Noah Sherbacoff
Sonomi Usui
Project Advisor
Dr. Ibrahim Tansel
Abstract
Our motivation for the project stems from the need of our client who has provided us with the framework of our Combo Counter training tool. We believe that with the right mindset our project can help the boxing industry regardless of the level of the fighter to make a positive impact on their training regime from a local (gyms, schools, minor organizations) to a more professional setting. (Olympics, world tournaments, etc.)
Our client has requested our team to design and improve a punching bag system that measures the force of a user’s punch while measuring the speed of the hit. It should ideally be lightweight and easy to use prototype that can be set using different modes specific to the user. The punching bag can be redesigned or our team can make a sensor belt that can be retrofitted inside an existing punching bag to help further the study. Our client has also asked for an application/program whether mobile based or computer based to measure the results along with containing different modes and settings for the users. Sensors will be used to determine the results of the user with our team leaning toward a Bluetooth/wireless based system.
Finally, making an easily affordable prototype can inhibit an active interest in the sport of boxing. Boxing is a worldwide sport with many different sibling sports such as mixed martial arts and Jiu -Jistsu and to make a training tool that can tell the user how much force/damage they are applying to the bag and help them adjust their training and conditioning to achieve further success.
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[accordion-item title=”SDO – 6 Rapid Deployment Micro-Class Aircraft”]
Students
Manuel Santos
Ka Wing Tsang
Carlota Seisdedos
Daniel Robles
Project Advisor
Dr. Igor Tsukanov
Abstract
Our team is comprised of four Mechanical Engineering students all interested in aerospace. For that reason, we decided to explore ideas of projects within aerospace design. Upon speaking with the aerospace design club and found a competition for a micro-class aircraft which intrigued us. We decided to take on this project with our mission being to surpass performance of any previous designs from FIU that have competed. This project is important because we will be competing with teams from all over the world, making connections along the way, while representing Florida International University.
Our project must adhere to several restrictions set by the competition relegations. Our design consists of several elements to ensure an efficient aircraft that meet the competition requirements. Our processes consist of initial concept design models, followed by weight calculations, airfoil selection, thrust to weight ratio and wing loading, wing sizing, tail sizing, fuselage sizing, payload accommodations, CAD model development, Simulation testing, and manufacturing. Multiple iterations of each process may be applicable upon results of our design testing.
Besides the typical inclusion of multi-lingual user manuals and usage of US/SI units to support global design, it is important to reiterate that our project will be competing in a competition against teams from all over the world. We will be able to communicate our ideas with aerospace students and professionals from several different backgrounds. This project not only pertains to our interests, but also brings much opportunity
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[accordion-item title=”SDO – 7 Design and Validation of Aerodynamics Kit for the 2018 FSAE Prototype”]
Students
Kevin Carlock
Ana Jones
Humberto Macias
Eduardo Martinez
Project Advisor
Dr. Andres Tremante
Abstract
In motorsports, the biggest limiting factor for the performance of a race car is tire grip, and when tires are pushed past their limits, the result can be quite dangerous. Thus, race car engineers often seek to use aerodynamics to improve the grip of the tires by designing the outside of the car so that the air flowing past it pushes it against the ground, increasing the static friction coefficient between the ground and the tires.
The body and aerodynamics kit for the 2018 FIU Formula SAE car will be designed to be adjustable, and every component will be validated via computer simulations and dynamic testing. New materials will be tested to minimize weight gain and reduce manufacturing costs, and a final design, consisting of a front wing, rear wing, underbody and rear diffuser, will be manufactured and installed on the 2018 car. The data obtained by these tests will also build a strong foundation for future projects involving the aerodynamics of the FIU FSAE car.
Aerodynamics is highly complex, and difficult to predict, even with advanced computer simulations. Because of this, young teams often struggle with attaining an effective first-time design. An adjustable, quasi-modular design will allow for the designs to be easily transferrable to most other FSAE teams, who would only need to make minor alterations to the design to obtain similar results on their cars. This could eventually result in the formation of a standard guideline for young teams to follow, allowing them to more easily attain a faster and safer race car.
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[accordion-item title=”SDO – 8 Portable Workstation, with USB Battery pack, Solar panel, and LED light”]
Students
Brandt Labastille
Eric Benavides
Loren Groce
Project Advisor
Dr. Benjamin Boesl
Abstract
The existing portable workstation on the market today are incomplete, lack functionality and are not practical to our modern lifestyle. Furthermore, what if it allowed you to truly be mobile by being light enough to carry, and aesthetically pleasing enough to be carried in a social setting, such as the airport, a campus or any indoor spaces. A true workstation should afford one the ability to sit, eat and write, to charge any portable electronic device. Our team believe that we can address this issue by developing the DeskPak. This project would allow students, travelers or young professionals to learn, work or play, anywhere and at any time.
The project will begin with a conceptual design, which would consist of all the main components (backpack, chair, desk, solar charging station, LED lighting, etc.) that should reflect in our final design project. Materials would then be selected using the ASHBY chart, which is a common method for choosing the ideal material, giving us the highest strength to weight ratio. A Solidworks model would then be ran through its simulation software to establish a visual stimulation of various load and stress analysis, ensuring that the final product has a total mass of 6 lbs/2.72 Kg, can withstand a minimum load of 300 lbs/176.01 Kg and that the writing table can support a maximum load of 20 lbs/18.14 Kg before tipping over. All data will be input then through an optimization software (SmartDO, ModelFRONTIER, SolidThinking, etc.), rendering a number of different designs options, from which we will then select 3 alternative designs to compare to our original design. After many iterations of a design-optimization-prototype loop, a life-size prototype of the final design would then be manufactured.
Our group is committed to creating an affordable product that could be manufactured sustainably in developing countries. The DeskPak would afford students in those areas with a mobile workstation, a designated place to work at home, with charging capability and lighting. In addition, we are including a trilingual user’s manual: English, French and Spanish. As there is no international standardization of electrical plugs and sockets for domestic use, we will ensure that electronic devices from various countries are accommodated in the design and modification of the battery power bank.
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[accordion-item title=”SDO – 9 Drone Mounted IED Detection Device”]
Students
Andres Ferreira
Nicole Fisher
Ryan Pooran
Damian Ruz
Project Advisor
Dr. Andres Tremante
Abstract
Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) offer a stand-off, inexpensive, and high impact weapon utilized by terrorists. IED have become one of the leading cause of death for US Troops during Operation Enduring Freedom. Current advanced counter-IED techniques are limited by weight, accuracy, and cost. This project proposes to create a low cost, mobile, and semi- autonomous mechanism for early IED detection to an unknown urban setting. Using a quadcopter platform to offer mobility while avoiding expected debris, roadside obstructions, and blind spots. Flight control will be semi-autonomous utilizing wireless communication to transfer information to the ground control station. A continuous scanning for metal detection with infrared camera to verify possible IED contents. The goal of the project is to design, optimize, and build a quadcopter capable of IED detection to assist with forward urban clearance and improve public safety.
With this goal, drone research involved an iterative process of current commercial and unclassified multi-copter products in addition to current research on various telemetry, detection, and control technologies. Next steps involve analysis of design alternatives (i.e. varying configurations, propeller positions, and technologies for telemetry, detection, and control). A robust optimization process using ANSYS, Solidworks, and CATIA will be performed prior to final build. Unit testing of flight and mission control features. Finally, live testing and report of final product. To meet global need, user manual in appropriate language, unit and warning labels that are globally recognized will be used, finally a modular platform will be considered to meet environment specific detection needs.
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[accordion-item title=”SDO – 10 Concentrated Solar Power System”]
Students
Anthony Gorrin
Aldo Pozo
Sajjan Matin
Project Advisor
Dr. Balil El – Zahab
Abstract
Energy generation and distribution is an important global issue with many large- and small-scale solutions that exist today. In the pursuit of reducing long-term impact to the environment, renewable energy sources should be explored and implemented into these existing solutions. Solar energy, in particular, is a sustainable and clean source of energy. Currently, photovoltaic technology is most popular in harvesting solar energy by converting part of the light radiation into electricity. Unfortunately, solar panels which use PV technology reach average efficiency of energy conversion of about 15%. Concentrated solar power provides an alternative to collecting solar energy and converting it into useful energy.
Fresnel lenses have been used in the past for light collimation and image projection. Recently, they have been used for concentrating solar energy onto one location and generating large amounts of heat which can be converted into other forms of energy. A solar thermal energy system using a Fresnel lens is being proposed to power small-scale appliances and be utilized in places of the world where conventional energy resources are scarce. Solar thermal energy concentrated by the Fresnel lens could be used in conjunction with a steam turbine to produce electricity. Other applications include water purification systems, air heaters, hydrogen generation, and metal surface modification.
The global design issue that we face mainly lies with location around the world do not have ample amounts of sunlight. The device would help offer rural areas where there may exist a lack of power and provide a clean source of energy. Because the project is to be constructed out of economic materials, it can also serve as an affordable solution to energy problems around the world.
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[accordion-item title=”SDO – 11 SPTR: Solar Portable Thermoelectric Refrigerator”]
Students
Maria C. Marin
Zachary Swigert
Ricardo Rendueles
Amarli Leo-Reid
Project Advisor
Dr. Yiding Caoe
Abstract
As seen in places affected by the recent hurricanes, entire homes and communities have been destroyed leaving thousands without power. This loss of power made it impossible to store perishable foods and water. With the solar powered refrigerator, this problem would be dramatically helped as it could provide a reliable method to store such items with the assistance of a free and renewable resource: the sun.
The success of this SPR will rely on a couple of main components to work effectively across many environments. There will be a focus on lightweight materials that can efficiently insulate the inside temperature from the outside temperature while allowing the refrigerator to remain mobile. Subsequently, the cooling will be accomplished primarily with the Peltier effect that is powered by electrical energy. Finally, the source of this electrical power will depend on solar panel(s) that will be able to collect energy from the sun and store excess energy.
As this project was inspired by the recent natural disasters as well as the growing awareness of global humanitarian issues, there will be a priority in global effectiveness. The refrigerator will be designed to be highly maneuverable and dependable in a variety of climates and situations. With this goal in mind, the SPR will be able to provide an effective synthesis of all the components to create an affordable, adaptive, and effective self-sustaining refrigerator that can be distributed around the world with a focus to locations in distress.
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[accordion-item title=”SDO – 12 SAE Aero Design Competition 2017, Regular Class Aircraft”]
Students
Juan Valencia
Martin Ibanez
Matthew Holung
Cesar Frangelico Soto
Project Advisor
Professor Igor Tsukanov
Abstract
The SAE Aero Design competition is an excellent opportunity to expose engineering students to a real-life engineering challenge. Our motivation for the selection of this project is due to the sort of exposure we will receive. We will be performing an engineering design from the ground up, we will be covering every step from modeling to manufacturing. Written and oral communication skills will also be put to the test, as engineering is extremely reliant on good teamwork communication. The SAE Aero design consists of three classes of competition, Regular, Advanced, and Micro, we will be working on the Regular class and following its strict guidelines.
Our initial step was to create “napkin sketches” that highlight the different configurations. Our advisor advocated the importance of creating five sketches and focusing on two. By focusing on two, we can fall back to our second design if we see it a better fit or in the case we run into problems with our first design. We will be using CFD analysis to select the best possible airfoil for our plane. Our simulations will be done via Solid works/inventor.
The SAE competition is an international competition consisting of teams from all around the world. The global design issues that may arise may come from US/SI inconsistencies. Our aim is to create a project that will be easily interpreted by a team from another nation. We will be including hazard signs and US/SI units for easy interpretation of our design.
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[accordion-item title=”SDO – 13 ADVANCED AIR CONDITIONING UNIT FOR LOGISTIC TRUCKS”]
Students
Syed T. Ahmed
Joseph Duque
Ivan Galeano
Jazyn Lewis
Project Advisor
Dr. Yiding Cao
Abstract
Through research our group found that majority of logistic vehicles do not utilize air conditioning systems to cool down drivers because of the consumption of power from the engine. Our design will not utilize power from the engine rather the heat from the exhaust to power the A/C unit. The system will be extracting heat that is produced from the engine to convert it into the electrical energy which will in turn be stored in lithium ion cells. The second form of energy storage will be through solar power so that the system can be charging at all times of the day. The system will also include a variety of sensors that will shut down the system if for example the doors are open or if the driver get off their seat.
Global design in units of both US/SI systems are important as the product needs to be understandable anywhere when the product is used. With this aspect people from different
countries can communicate with each other conveniently for business and sciences.
Preparation ofmulti-lingual user’s manuals will be available in languages such as English, Spanish, and French. These languages will accommodate countries that we targeted who experience conditions of high temperatures and humidity. Lastly, the cost analysis for different regions is essential because there has to be a common unit of measurement, which in this case would be monetary value. The benefits from this idea and cost should be analyzed in terms of their equivalent money value for each of the regions impacted by our preliminary design.
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[accordion-item title=”SDO – 14 Bladelets – Winglets on Blades of Wind Turbines”]
Students
Kathryn Diaz
Eric Jones
Nicole Robson
Santiago Ruales
Brianna Gogins
Project Advisor
Dr. George Dulikravich
Abstract
It is well understood that aerodynamic efficiency of a wind turbine increases with the diameter of its rotor. However, most people do not live in locations with substantial amounts of space or consistent year-round wind. Our project aims to create more efficient wind turbines by placing optimized bladelets on the tip or wind turbine rotor blades in the manner similar to placing optimized winglets on the wing tips of airplanes.
The objective of our senior year design project is to design, optimize, manufacture and test a small wind turbine with bladelets to observe their effect on efficiency at low speed wind. Our main objectives in optimization are to simultaneously: a) maximize the coefficients of rotor power, b) minimize axial thrust force, and c) minimize the aerodynamic twisting moment around the blade stacking axis. Using special Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) software, we will design a standard wind turbine blade and a blade with a bladelet attached to its end. Then, we will run a series of CFD simulations for a number of geometrically perturbed blade/bladelet configurations in order to create a response surface for each of the three simultaneous objectives. We will then use one of the best optimization software packages to perform multi-objective design optimization of the blade/bladelet configuration in a Pareto optimum sense. The design from created by the optimizer will be verified using high fidelity CFD analysis. Furthermore, a fully 3D stress/deformation analysis will be performed on the blade and the bladelet to minimize the maximum stress and maximize the blade stiffness.
The final steps of our project are manufacturing and testing of the physical blades with and without the bladelets. We plan on building the blades by creating a frame using CAD software then 3D printing the design. The frame will then be used as a mold to build the blades by using a combination of epoxy resin and fiberglass. Experimental evaluation of performance of the optimized 1.4m diameter rotor with and without bladelets for wind speeds between 6 – 9 m/s will be performed so that it is considered low speed. To have our project reach a global audience, we will be using SI units (m/kg/etc.). Wind energy is used worldwide and an improvement in efficiency of wind turbines with optimized bladelets can help meet the energy needs across the world. Low wind speed turbines can be used anywhere, including places with no other sources of energy which can greatly impact the quality of life.
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[accordion-item title=”SDO – 15 Guided Fire Extinguisher Projectile (GEFP)”]
Students
Carlos Celemin
Abdulaziz Alenezy
Jose Tormo
Pietro Dimitri
Project Advisor
Dr. Ibrahim Nur Tansel
Abstract
From research, our group found that fires that start in the higher floors of many buildings face delays in being extinguished. Setting up hoses and ladders takes too long, and increases the risk for the fire to expand. Our design would provide a quick small scale response to fire. The system we are designing would consist of a drone carrying our solution. Self-propulsion fire extinguishing projectiles. The projectiles will be made of a retrofitted solution based on the fire ball extinguishers. The fire extinguishing ball contains Monoammonium phosphate multi-purpose dry chemical is a dry chemical extinguishing agent used on class A, class B, and class C fires. The fire extinguisher ball is self active after contacting with fire at 85 degree Celsius for 3 seconds the ball can extinguish fire within 8 m^3 range in a 360 direction. The propulsion will come from compressed C02. The projectiles will be delivered to the required height by a specially designed drone that will contain a guiding track. The system would include a variety of sensors and camera for the operator to hit the target accurately. This design would help to get to the fire a lot faster, especially when fire starts or spreads in high floors.
Global design would be consider in US/SI units for a better understanding in our product worldwide. With this aspect any operator from around the world would be able to operate the system without the necessity of additional training. The manual of instruction would be written in English, Spanish, mandarin Portuguese and Arabic. these languages will be target in places where skyscrapers are in abundant. Celsius for 3 seconds the ball can extinguish fire within 8 m^3 range
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[accordion-item title=”SDO – 16 Water Jet CNC Machine”]
Students
Erick Riano
Oriel Rodriguez
Ana Reyes
Christian Gonzalez
Project Advisor
Dr. Benjamin Boesl
Abstract
For our senior project, we chose to aid Dr. Benjamin Boesl with a complete redesign of a CNC water-jet cutting machine. CNC machines (Computer Numerical Control) are widely used in the engineering and manufacturing industries as a way to accurately cut, carve, or engrave materials according to provided specifications. These machines tend to be extremely expensive, due primarily to the cutting methods they employ. As the name suggests, a waterjet CNC machine pressurizes water to the point where it is capable of cutting the same materials the conventional CNC is capable of cutting, with just as much accuracy.
While a prototype machine does exist, previously built by another senior design team under Dr. Boesl’s aid, this machine is almost completely unusable due to large faults in its design. Several steps must be taken to remedy all its issues, including: making the cutting chamber waterproof and sealed, redesign of entire nozzle mounting assembly and manufacturing, design of a water compressor for use with this machine and ensuring that maximum water pressure is delivered to the nozzle with negligible losses, a new abrasive injecting mechanism, and installation of a G-code interpreter and its testing to ensure the machine cuts accurately according to the code it is provided.
Due to the relatively low cost of its materials compared to typical CNC machines as well as its portability, our machine design will be available and convenient for use anywhere in the world. User manuals will also be provided in English and Spanish. SI units will be used to ensure universal compatibility.
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[accordion-item title=”SDO – 17 Test Bed for Waste Water/Heat Recovery from Flue Gases”]
Students
Akeva Fraser
Alfredo Reyes
Pradel Frank
Mohammad Alajmi
Project Advisor
Dr. Cheng- Xian Lin
Abstract
The purpose of this project is to construct a test bed that recycles heat and water wasted during the production processes of power plants. Recycling the rejected water helps with water availability which is a major issue for inland power plants worldwide. In addition, lowering the temperature of the heat released, improves the efficiency of the water boiler while conserving energy.
The focus of the design is to improve a device created by the Gas Technology Institute called a Transport Membrane Condenser (TMC) which serves as a heat exchanger. The TMC is composed of ceramic porous tubes that condenses the steam generated by the plant, while also filters contaminants, and recycles quality water back into the system. We aim to build a model- sized test bed, which should average the size of a large desk since we do not have the funding to design a large-scale or commercial-sized test bed. Ideally,the prototype will possess the same operability of the Gas Institute’s TMC with modifications to the material type or fluid medium used to cool the recycled heated water. We are currently reading publications in order to identify which key components of the TMC to analyze that can drastically improve the overall function of our test bed.
Furthermore, with the growing population and increased demand for electricity, water, and other resources, it has become imperative to make major improvements in the designs of our systems that impact the environment. In retrospect to our project, the reducing heat loss and improving water recovery would dramatically increase profitability for power plants in terms of energy development, water treatment. In addition to profitability, the reduction of solid waste produced by power plants would have a positive effect on pollution and assist in reducing global warming through the reduction of heat being wasted through the power plant processes. Our research and manual will be available in English, Spanish and Arabic in order to assist with further improvements to the technology in other countries. Power plants exist worldwide, and improving their functionality will not only save billions of dollars but will also conserve energy while optimizing the system globally.
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[accordion-item title=”SDO – 18 Efficient Condenser & Fan Design”]
Students
Wafa Almosallam
Elizabeth Eboka
Michael Escobar
Miguel Lara
Mark Wedderburn
Project Advisor
Dr. Cheng-Xian Lin
Abstract
HVAC systems, more commonly known as air conditioners, are abundant around the world. Installed in homes, commercial buildings and cars, people spend billions of dollars a year keeping spaces cool and acclimatized. The goal is to extract heat from specific area using a condenser or heat exchanger. Generally, a fan propels ambient air over the condenser which removes the heat to the atmosphere. This condenser/fan combination is rather inefficient and can benefit from improvements. Increasing the effectiveness of either component ultimately helps save money and conserve energy. Our project objective is to create a novel improvement to a fan and/or condenser of an air-conditioning system. Worthwhile improvements to the current design can result in energy and monetary savings globally.
Overall design is going to require various iterations. Parameters such as: materials, condenser shape, fins & fan speed and all need to be tweaked in order to maximize the rate of heat transfer. Using Solidworks, heat and fluid flow simulations will guide the engineering analyst and the test engineer to improve fan & condenser performance. A final, optimized prototype will be manufactured and tested in a controlled environment.
A main global design issue will be supplying installation manuals in various languages. We are a diverse and multicultural team, but there are hundreds of languages spoken and read. Perhaps printing in only the top 10 languages will suffice. Since components for an HVAC system are involved it is going to be of major importance to express our results in both SI and US units. Considering that the HVAC field encompasses different units of measurement, such as: BTU/Hr, Watts and tons, it is really important to specify which units are being used for a specific calculation. Additionally, communicating with other engineers who have attempted similar work can help this project move in the proper direction from the beginning. It is fairly easy to call or email researchers at a university. Creating a marketable and efficient condenser/fan design can reform the HVAC industry, protect our environment and yield copious amounts of revenue.
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[accordion-item title=”SDO – 19 Passion Fruit Juicer”]
Students
Manuel Briceno
Alfredo Carpico
Jesus Martinez
Yoel Rotterman
Project Advisor
Dr. Benjamin Boesl
Abstract
There is a very high demand in the market for passion fruit products and the only machines available to process and obtain the pulp are industrial, thus very big and expensive. There is no machine that has a commercial use for restaurants, bars, and other businesses that can take a passion fruit, cut it, and remove its pulp in situ. Without a machine, businesses must use manual labor to make fresh juices, desserts and other passion fruit related plates.
The Passion Fruit Juicer will be an apparatus capable of slicing, extracting and filtering the passion fruit pulp in matter of minutes. Before starting the design process, the team focused in obtaining metrics to focus in each part of the process. These are knowing the amount of pulp obtained per time, and what is the intake of fruit. Also, before starting the design process, the team took the time to buy a couple of passion fruits to understand their composition, texture, density and size. The team also analyzed the force it would take to cut the fruits, and how hard it is to remove the pulp from the shell.
The passion fruit pulp extractor must have the following parts: A funnel where the fruit can be placed by the user, a fruit separator which will prepare each individual passion fruit to be cut, a blade to cut the fruit in half, a pulp extractor device, a container for the pulp and a disposal container for the shells. The team focused in three different designs for the pulp extractor, which is the main component of the machine. We had three different methods to obtain the pulp from the fruit. These were, Centrifugal forces, cold pressed and scoop motion extraction.
In order to make this product a correct fit in any market of the world the team is going to consider several parameters. The first parameter is for the machine to be able to adjust to any diameter of fruit that is inserted, since our sponsor, Passion Fruit Florida, is growing four types of passion fruits. These types of passion fruit are found in various countries of South America. Since we are dealing with an edible product, the group must comply with FDA regulations so that the product is safe and healthy to the public. The machine must be easy to clean and sterilize; therefore, the components in contact with the fruit must be of certain material that can resist these high cleaning temperatures.
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[accordion-item title=”SDO – 20 Metal-Free Biodegradable Battery”]
Students
Joseph Jardine
Roberto Solorzano
Jeffery Julius
Mohammed Alharim
Dhari Alotaibi
Project Advisor
Dr. Chunlei Wang
Abstract
If one considers the exponential growth of portable and disposable electronics within the last few decades, it does not take long to notice the increased reliance our world has on batteries. While efficient and fairly cheap, they pose a substantial risk to the surrounding environment in a multitude of ways. These risks range from the pollution caused by the mining of materials and manufacturing to improper disposal of batteries containing heavy metals and harmful chemicals. Developing a metal-free biodegradable battery will dramatically decrease the reliance on the current standard and as a result, reduce the negative impact batteries have in our world.
The device will be composed of organic compounds based electrodes, cellulose, carbon paper, beeswax, and organic redox species. This includes a cathode, an anode, and an electrode and wafer design for the battery. Modeling and structural simulations of the battery will be conducted and tested. This battery will use a fluid to commence dissolving electrolytes within the battery and provide power. Different types of electrochemical tests will be performed on the various designs to determine everything from peak voltage performance, biodegradability, battery life, to efficiency of different materials.
This project will reduce the accumulation of e-waste and toxic materials used worldwide, lowering the associated health risks with electronics and preventing developmental problems in. This would also help with disposal efforts in poorer nations by eliminating certain costs associated with traditional disposal. This design can also be manufactured in many places due to the simple, cost- efficient materials used.
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[accordion-item title=”SDO – 21 2017 Shell Eco-Marathon: Electric Prototype Vehicle”]
Students
Naseem Ahmed
Randall Castillo
Fiorella Rivera
Laura Rubio
Project Advisor
Dr. Andres Tremante
Abstract
As resources become scarcer and exclusive, renewable energy has taken center stage in many industries, and that’s why we hope to become part of this ever-evolving industry. The focus of our project is to design and validate the most efficient electric prototype vehicle. Moreover, we expect for the results of our project to have an impact on the ongoing environmental focus of the industry and we hope to implement the learning outcome into the field we choose to become a part of after graduation.
For this project, we have decided to research different monocoque bodies relevant to the competition as well as several different layouts of the car’s structure and components. Given the multiple available ways to prepare and cure carbon fiber and structural rigidity strengthening techniques, we are currently researching the best setup for our car. Furthermore, we would like to maintain maximum strength of our chassis given nominal equipment, at the same time we provide our driver with the most comfortable and ergonomic ride without sacrificing the weight or the aspects of our aero components.
To conclude, for the final result, more than standardizing measurement units, we must put our focus on making sure the project can be understood worldwide. Therefore, a multilingual set of specifications must be presented. Likewise, as mentioned before, our main goal is to gain profound knowledge on this topic so that is well developed, hoping that one day we can put this into practice in our work field so that we can contribute to live in a better, greener world.
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[accordion-item title=”SDO 23 – Underwater Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV)”]
Students
Adil De Lagandara
John Kulwatno
Ivan Salgado
Julien Weckering
Project Advisor
Dr. Balil El – Zahab
Abstract
The motivation to design and manufacture an underwater remote operate vehicle (ROV) comes from the drive to push the development of technology for the improvement of the world around us. ROVs can be built to fulfill roles such as wreckage surveying, deep sea exploration, infrastructure surveying, underwater construction, and many other duties. ROVs are built with robotic arms and sensors which depends on the task. The designing of the ROV and tackling of these issues will test our engineering knowledge of subjects such as Fluid Mechanics, Mechatronics, Materials, Mechanics of Materials, Manufacturing and Dynamics.
The goal of our senior design project is to target the Marine Advanced Technology Education (MATE) Competition. The MATE Comp. 2018 is influenced by 3 different real-world scenarios, such an aircraft wreckage, earthquake detection, and renewable energy research. The aircraft obstacle course will require the ability to identify the wreckage and attach lift bags to it. The detection of earthquake scenario will simulate installing an ocean bottom seismometer (OBS) and sending data from OBS live feed straight back topside monitor. The energy scenario will require installing a tidal turbine at an optimal location and collecting data. The ROV is required to have a 48-volt power source producing 30 amps DC topside, a camera to provide live feedback to the operator, a robotic arm to complete certain task during obstacle courses. The maximum size of the ROV must be 3 feet in diameter, and cannot weigh more than 77 lbs. The vehicle must reach 5 meters or 16 feet in depth. The control system will consist of two Arduinos, and controlled via using a PlayStation 3 controller. It will use 4 modified bilge pumps for propulsion, arranged so that two are for vertical motion and two for horizontal motion. The ROV will be neutrally buoyant allowing it to stay at a specific level underwater.
Beyond the competition our main goal is to provide the globe with an ROV that will be able to be used for global issues such as earthquake detections, ocean surveying, search and recovery, and renewable energy research. We would also like to design a ROV that is affordable enough to allow, not only commercial industries to buy, but also the everyday consumers. The technology and application of the ROV can be modified according to its required purpose, allowing this vehicle to be applicable to the entire globe.
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[accordion-item title=”SDO – 24 Easily Deployable Traffic Light System (EDTL)”]
Students
Juan Penaloza
Mohannad Abduljabbar
Ali Abed
Saidhasan Alzalzalah
Eric Robles
Project Advisor
Dr. Ibrahim Tansel
Abstract
When the power is insufficient upon catastrophic events (eg: hurricanes, storms ..etc) or for any other reason, electric lights become non-operational. Most of the currently existing traffic lights’ structure will survive but could be inoperative due to loss of power. Since traffic lights require significant power, it is not practical to bring and connect a generator for each traffic light. Assigning officers with their cars could cost money and loss of manpower. It is also impractical and risky for the police officers to be working in such extreme weather conditions. This alternative traffic light system can provide with solutions to optimize resources and yet it’s easily deployed and installed.
The EDTL system will be installed on the existing traffic light poles. The installation will be done by two trained officers at ground level, no need for special vehicles. The two main components that make up the system are: traffic light panels and anchor. The traffic light panels will be mostly made of sheet metal. The mechanism will be similar to that of window shutter systems (Rockler).
Each sheet metal panel will be colored (green, yellow, or red) on one side, and will be black on the other side. The panels will display colors mechanically instead of using a bright light. A solenoid will drive the arm of the system, which will rotate the panels 180 degrees changing the color shown. Optimal space allocation is one of the main factors for the traffic light panel design. The dimensions and design for the panels will be a downscale of the real traffic lights.
The parts of this design will be available for manufacturing and assembly in different parts of the world, without requiring any special machines, tools or techniques. The use of universal US/SI units will aid in producing this product in different parts of the world. This shall eliminate the human error of converting units in foreign countries. A users’ manual can be prepared in multiple languages (Arabic, English and Spanish) alongside with graphics and illustrations to help the user visualizing the operation of the device. A research was conducted for similar design patents to ensure that this idea/design has not been established by any other party.
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[accordion-item title=”SDO – 25 FSAE Engine Dynamometer”]
Students
Andrew Menendez
Carlos Reano
Alexander Rosenqvist
Jonathan Ricknauth
Project Advisor
Dr. Andres Tremante
Abstract
Throughout the school year, different engineering organizations tend to participate in countywide (even worldwide) competitions to test out their ingenuity, designs, and ultimately promote the school’s reputation. Said competitions asses the prototypes built by the organizations; therefore, careful and arduous testing should be performed on them prior to the competitions. The main aim of our project is to help our school’s student organizations by providing a tool to test out the prototypes. Although our target audience is the SAE club and their upcoming competition, the design of our dynamometer will contain adjustable elements, be safe for student use, and follow standards so that other organizations may use it in the future.
The design of the dyno will revolve around the eddy braking system used, which associates with eddy currents and electromagnetism. It is an ideal choice because of it is cost efficient. Furthermore, this will reduce the size of the dynamometer, ideal for small spaces such as a FSAE shop. To complete our design of the brakes, we will acquire SAE standards J1349, J1312, J1995, J2723 that will help us base our design to actual numbers associated with our concept. The brake system will be modeled through SOLIDWORKS and test the efficiency of the design. Then we will create small-scale prototypes in order to validate designs for custom components.
For a Global Design approach our dynamometer will follow SAE standards. The design is based on the low cost and efficiency of the eddy brakes, as well as simple manufacturing techniques. Since our dynamometer is a tool that can be used by South Florida students, the manual will be available in English and Spanish. Safety concerns are paramount to the design approach and will continue to be assessed at every step (from modeling to prototyping).
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[accordion-item title=”SDO – 26 Cantilever mass sensor for high temperature plasma sprayer”]
Students
Melania Antillon
Jennifer Bustillos
Daniela Gil
Jose Ortega
Project Advisor
Dr. Benjamin Boesl
Abstract
Growing interests in space tourism and fast strike capabilities have called for the development of new materials and testing technologies. At hypersonic speeds, sharp leading edges of reentry flight vehicles can exceed temperatures of 2000°C. Materials that can withstand such extreme conditions are ultra-high temperature ceramics (UHTCs). In order to evaluate the oxidative properties of new UHTC materials for these applications, the materials are tested in simulated hypersonic flow. In evaluating the oxidation resistance, the evolution of the material’s mass during testing is of great importance.
In the absence of a real-time mass sensing technique, the presented design project will consist on the development of an innovative cantilever mass sensor for high temperature plasma sprayer. The design will comprise of adapting strain gages to evaluate the dynamic mass losses experienced by the UHTC under exposure to plasma. Structural analysis will include studying the mechanical behavior of the supporting structure due to high temperature exposure, and resolution of the mass sensor. Experiments will include the calibration of the mass sensor to different known loads and standard exposure to plasma environments.
Because space exploration has largely been and still is an international endeavor, it is imperative that the product is accessible globally. Therefore, the design will comply with the standards of the CE Certification (European), International Organization for Standardization (ISO), American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), and American National Standards Institute (ANSI). Additionally, all product specifications will be available in both SI and English units, and user manuals will be available in English and Spanish. Finally, provisions for universal power adaptors will be included in our design.
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[accordion-item title=”SDO – 27 Autonomous Luggage Assistance Robot”]
Students
Alejandro Garcia
Jorge Tejera
Juan Pepino
Jose Muchacho
Project Advisor
Dr. Abrahao
Abstract
The team has decided to proceed forward with the design, manufacturing, and assembly of an autonomous luggage assistance robot. The objective behind this challenging project is to help the elderly when it comes to traveling. Many of the elderly folks complain of back pain and shoulder pain because they have to carry their luggage from the parking lot all the way to the check in counter. The motivation behind this project consists of taking the hassle away from the old people that are forced to carry heavy bags when traveling.
The design of this robot consists of several parts, including a base with wheels, a lifting mechanism, a belt system, and the infrastructure behind the software. The team has a primary design with 3 different variations. The design will only change based on the lifting mechanism and the position of the actuator. The team’s primary lifting system consist of a scissor mechanism. The second alternative design has a forklift mechanism. Finally, the third alternative can possibly have a hydraulic lifting mechanism. For the structural analysis part of the project the team will be doing a lot of calculations based on the materials. Calculations including stress, strain, and failure of material will be critical for the team’s success. In addition to this, the parts, assembly, and simulations on Solidworks will also be need to compare theoretical calculations to experimental calculations. After the simulations are completed, the team will proceed to creating the prototype. All the team members are aware that the first iteration of the prototype will probably not work perfectly, however the team is prepared to fix the mistakes made and go through two or three iterations of the product. Finally, the till will test the prototype and collect all sorts of data. The data includes: effectiveness of the software, distance traveled, maximum weight of the luggage, and much more.
This design is intended to benefit mostly elderly and handicapped people all around the
world. The team will focus in using worldwide standard safety sign, as well as, a manual that
will be available in three languages. Also, our main goal is to have a design that could be
manufactured and assembled using affordable materials. Finally, we are very excited to
achieve a design that will help people all over the world, and reduced airport congestion.
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[accordion-item title=”SDO – 28 Solar Powered, Ice Storage Air Conditioning System”]
Students
Eric Vilaire
Manuel Rodriguez,
Matthew Vargas
Andres Aloma
Project Advisor
Dr. Andres Tremante
Abstract
Modern air conditioning systems consume a noticeably large amount of energy, as the demand for heating and comfort cooling is a constant, everyday need. Contemporary HVAC systems in commercial buildings are powered mainly by electricity, and draw power from the grid every second of the day; home split systems draw power when they are operating throughout the day. The implementation of solar power, and the use of stored ice energy in the air conditioning system offers monumental savings in energy consumption, therefore reducing the overall cost of electricity per selected unit of time. This also allows for an increase in efficiency of already consumed electricity, mandatory to other systems within the application.
The objective of this system is to minimize the use of power from the grid as much as possible. A scaled down version of this concept was designed, modeled, simulated and manufactured. The air conditioning unit runs on a typical vapor-compression cycle (refrigeration cycle) with two added components: solar panels and the ice storage tank. A small, affordable wall AC unit was modified to have its compressor run on solar power with the use of DC to AC inverters. Additionally, the refrigerant line within the system was altered in order to be able to divert the refrigerant to the ice tank for cooling, instead of running through an expansion valve by the compressor. The unit was designed to operate primarily on solar power. When solar energy collection is adequate, the system will run on the compressor, allowing the cold refrigerant to create ice in the storage tank. In the case that solar energy is insufficient to power the compressor, the system will automatically divert the refrigerant to the ice tank for cooling without the use of the compressor. Finally, in the scenario that solar energy collection is inadequate and the ice energy is exhausted, the system will automatically draw power from the grid and run on the compressor as its last resort. Once a prototype of the unit was made, accurate test results were obtained, which served as the basis for data collection and the validity of theorized calculations.
A successful prototype would mean an advancement in not only energy efficiency, but a push for renewable energy sources as a whole. Clean, renewable energy, all while maximizing power that has already been generated would benefit HVAC systems worldwide, no matter how the size of the system.
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[accordion-item title=”SDO – 29 Improving Firefighting Communications in High-Rise Buildings”]
Students
Daniel Fernandez
Alexander Piedra
Matias Salgo
Tristan Simoes-Ponce
Project Advisor
Dr. Benjamin Boesl
Abstract
Firefighters currently have difficulties communicating in high-rise buildings during active fires. Radio problems were a major issue during the events of September 11, 2001 at the World Trade Center, with firefighters at high levels not receiving transmissions from their command post. Communication and radio programming continues to be an issue within high-rise buildings around the world, including Miami, Florida. Increasing radio efficiencies by improving D.A.S. systems, or by using new technology, can decrease loss of communications and save lives.
Design alternatives to increase radio strength include: attaching an antenna on top of a drone to amplify or emit signals for the response team, designing a potential underground cable network, and embed signal amplifiers in firefighting equipment, boosting signals amongst responders. An R.F. spectrum analyzer will be used to test radio frequencies inside high-rise buildings and compare in-place systems to proposed designs.
Proper communications amongst firefighters and their safety are ideal worldwide. Advancements in this field can spur changes both nationally and globally. Efforts will be made to accommodate unique international fire safety codes within designs to facilitate their respective areas. From an economic standpoint, using a drone could potentially surmount the need and expense of D.A.S. systems, while still providing more secure signals for communications. Meanwhile, firefighters are just beginning to adopt and implement drones into their workforce.
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[accordion-item title=”SDO – 30 The Spotter”]
Students
Gabriel Saintvil
Patrick Spence
Jean Pierre Nkama
Project Advisor
Dr. Beladi
Abstract
The most important thing when a person works out is safety. Within the workout sector one of the most popular and the one lacks the safety is the free weight bench press. There are companies that have made attempts to manufacture products to remedy the situation but it was not universally adopted. This group is creating a product that will keep people safe while bench-pressing with free weight. It is called The Spotter. The main application for the product is to secure and raise the free weight off of the chest when in need of assistance to lift the weights with a foot lever. The processes of bench pressing with free weights is to lift the weights of the rack and vertically raise it up above the chest then lower it down to the chest with arms bent and back up to the starting position which consists of one rep. Unfortunately while getting a workout, chest and arms gets tired and locks up. When the arms get locked up, there are two options: relax and regain strength or call out for help.
The design is very simple; the user controls the height level of the arms with a foot lever at the bottom of the bench. The [steel] arms are designed in a U-shape manner, which are welded to the top of the scissor jack, which will raise the arms in place. After safely coming off the bench, the user will lower the arms down, only after they re-rack the bar, using the same foot lever. Alternate designs would have been the ability to use hydraulic pumps to raise the arms. The downfall would be the noise, but the upside, the arms will raise quicker than the motorized jack. Automating the arms was another option in the design process. Calculating the stress level on the bar, the arms will automatically come up to save the user on the machine, before the bar drops down on their chest, or even neck. While making the arms automated, a stress level test on the bar will be made during the workout. Perhaps, integrating the pulley system on the actual bar that can give us a reading on the stress, if the stress increase the arms will raise. During testing, the main focus will be on the time it will take the arms to be lifted. From the data collected, a choice will be made on either give the motor more speed or slow it down. The weights of the arms have to be tested, but using the same material as standard workout machines, this shouldn’t pose any problems in how much weight the arm can withstand.
The focus in Global Design will influence the worldwide fitness and health sector. The Spotter will make certain to attract active gym members, bodybuilders and athletes. The most important thing in the workout sector is safety. The Spotter will provide a smart, effective and easy way to lower injury and risk involved in working out alone. We will be using the US/SI units for our measurements and guidelines and standards from the United States Access Board for Exercise Equipment and Machines.
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[accordion-item title=”SDO – 33 Multiple Workout Machine”]
Students
Alaskari Khaled
Bernaba Andrew
Geddes Arthur
Project Advisor
Dr.Seyad Ebrahim Beladi
Abstract
Our team is introducing a workout machine called a double workout Machine. It is intended to be a space saving, durable design in comparison to other fitness alternatives. It will incorporate two fundamental exercises that work out the legs, arms, chest, and abdominals. The group’s motivation on the Smart Fitness Machine is to discover new ways on how to get people to work out more effectively in their private or public settings while getting a safe and good workout. It will be suitable for women, men and children. We well strive have the machine be as cost effective as possible with the options of different features like color, size, and/or resistance. The designed required it to fold down when not in use to be tucked away under the bed, or even in a closet. We also want to make the machine comfortable for the user, because if not, the user will not want to continue the workout.
The prototype was designed and analyzed using Solid works ME software and its stress and deflection analysis were also carried out using Solidworks. The design will consist of two arms that will be spring operated at the joints when in use. The springs will act as a source of resistance. The legs will be extended out, similar to that of crutches, where the user can adjust the length of the workout machine.
Fitness is a worldwide occurrence, and our design can be easily integrated across the globe, for all user; gender, weight, and height. Because of, the parts use to construct are design can be easily located and easily repaired if damaged around the world.
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EML 4905 SENIOR DESIGN PROJECT
[accordion-item title=”SDP – 1 Cardboard Payload Delivery Drone”]
Students
Michael Fleming
Zeeko Johnstone
Kishan Kalpoe
Project Advisor
Dr. Seyad Ebrahim Beladi
Abstract
An unmanned aerial vehicle was designed to deliver payloads such as medicine or humanitarian aid to people in hard to reach areas. Sustainable design was considered by using mainly cardboard and wood for the components of the aircraft. A flying wing was selected as the configuration for the airframe, as it allows for the quickest and easiest assembly. After the a
irframe configuration was selected, aerodynamic analysis was performed to ensure aircraft performance and stability. Structural analysis was performed on the cardboard to ensure the airframe would not fold under the loads in flight. Since the main material was cardboard, the low cost of around 270 dollars allowed the team to perform multiple flight test and make improvements. Finally, a flight control system was used to allow for autonomous flight.
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[accordion-item title=”SDP – 2 EclipseSAT Balloon Missions”]
Students
Anthony Fernandez
Kristen Kim
Jesse Viera
Project Advisor
Dr.Pradeep Shinde
Abstract
Through collaboration between Florida International University’s (FIU) Near Earth Explorer Club and NASA’s Florida Space Grant Consortium, the Eclipse Ballooning Missions team was able to successfully design, test, manufacture and deploy multiple CubeSat’s with the mission of acquiring data during the 2017 Great American Solar Eclipse. The senior design project team conducted two weather balloon testing missions, alongside 50 other university teams nationwide. The first weather balloon mission was successfully deployed in the path of totality in South Carolina during the solar eclipse, while the second ballooning mission was conducted multiple days later in south Florida with the intention of acquiring differing data. In order to successfully acquire data during the solar eclipse, it was necessary to develop, test and manufacture multiple fully functional systems in a time period of two months. The development of multiple camera housings, a component specific internal structure, as well as the multiple external sensor structures aided in the successful ballooning mission carried out in South Carolina. Due to a combination of technical and logistical problems experienced during the Florida ballooning mission, the team was unsuccessful in retrieving the satellite and the data stored onboard was unrecoverable. The data presented in this report, as well as the multiple photos taken during flight, were gathered during the South Carolina mission.
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[accordion-item title=”SDP – 3 SkySat: Optimization of NEE CubeSAT”]
Students
Jesus Martinez
Yandy Rodriguez
Ramon Orge
Project Advisor
Dr. Ibrahim Tansel & Dr. Pradeep Shinde
Abstract
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is currently sponsoring satellite contests for universities across the country hoping to inspire and motivate students across the country. Launching satellites with high altitude weather balloons has become a popular method of sending satellites to the edge of space. It has proven itself to be an efficient and relatively cheap method of launching satellites. With the Solar Eclipse occurring August 21s t , 2017 many universities are launching missions to send satellite up and capture data during this spectacular astronomical event. The NEESAT Eclipse Ballooning 2017 (NEB2017) project was carried out by a team of ambitious mechanical engineering students at Florida International University who set to the skies alongside the other 50 teams nationwide. The NEESAT team designed, manufactured, tested, and launched two satellites from two locations. The team also designed the satellite with FUNSAT competition parameters in mind, in order for it to be reused for that competition.
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[accordion-item title=”SDP – 4 RAPID: Response Aircraft for Precise International Drop”]
Students
Alexand Gibson
Andrews Guadron
Andrey Khlapov
Project Advisor
Dr. Seyad Ebrahim Beladi
Abstract
It is difficult to deliver of payloads that are of substantial weight. Drones, and light autonomous vehicles can only handle 10-20 lbs maximum. Our project is set to handle up to 40lbs which is the hard limit for FAA regulations with the inclusion of the flight vehicle weight, though further development can easily handle higher weights if needed. The payloads that it can handle are both static and dynamics, droppable, payloads. For accurate delivery of the dynamics payloads, electronic equipment is used for telemetry and for vision while flight vehicle is in use. The design of the vehicle is a lifting body with a V-tail. This configuration was chosen for it efficiency and size to lifting capability. The materials are a mixture of carbon, aluminum, balsa, and lite-ply wood materials. This combination allows us to have the an extremely light platform, that is strong, durable, and inexpensive. The propulsion system is a .46 cu. in nitro 2-stroke engine with a 2 blade 10×6 propeller which will net our vehicle with 1.25hp and about 14lbs of thrust. The project is currently in the manufacturing phase, with the propulsion being tested and break-in completed, and the payloads being assembled. This will be updated as flight vehicle are completed, and the first flights are undergone.
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[accordion-item title=”SDP – 5 Snow Traction System “]
Students
Daniel Dubios
Leannette Pio
Ryan van der Eijk
Project Advisor
Dr. Benjamin Boesl
Abstract
The purpose of this project was to design and manufacture an improved snow traction system. The motivation for this project arises from the need across different countries for a more practical snow traction system that’s easier to install, can provide the same amount of traction as the competition if not more. Additionally, today’s current snow traction systems have been known to deteriorate the roads surface. As such this new snow traction system will mitigates the damage done to the roads by introducing a new grouser pattern.
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[accordion-item title=”SDP – 6 Lake Water Condenser “]
Students
Hilario Hernandez
Grecia Rodriguez
Ernesto Batista
Project Advisor
Dr. Andres Tremante
Abstract
According to EIA’s 2009 Residential Energy Consumption Survey, annual electricity expenditures in Florida are 40% higher than the U.S. average and more than a quarter of the energy consumed in Florida homes is for air conditioning. By using lake water instead of air to cool the refrigerant gas leaving the air conditioning compressor this work will make air conditioning more efficient, greener and provide a cost-effective alternative.
This work encompasses the design of a full scale 4-ton condenser replacement unit, water pumping system and a solar array with batteries to power it. A prototype 1/2 ton condenser replacement unit and water pumping system will first be designed and manufactured. Alternate designs for the heat exchanger will be investigated. The completed project will be tested in a South Florida residential home which will serve to validate this work.
Reducing the size of the unit will lower manufacturing and shipping costs. A manual will be written in English, Spanish, and French. Dimensions will be described in SI units and United States customary units. Using waters’ higher heat transfer capabilities will make the condenser smaller and likely decrease the amount refrigerant required for the unit. This along with the renewable power source will help reduce the environmental impact of these units.
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[accordion-item title=”SDP – 7 Multiple Still Solar Distiller “]
Students
Ann Kayana
Blanchard Ross
Engstrom Patrick Robinson
Project Advisor
Dr. Seyad Ebrahim Beladi
Abstract
The aim of this project is to create an affordable water purification system for individuals and families in developing, equatorial countries. Many of the water purification procedures in these countries are expensive and energy intensive. This project is designed to be accessible for those in need and to be environmentally friendly. Utilizing the power of the sun to bring the temperature of unpurified water to the approximate boiling point, creating steam or water vapor. This steam or water vapor collects on a membrane and condenses to a collection point. The distillation process is like the natural water cycle of the world.
The global impact allows families in developing nations to have a sustainable source of clean drinking water without the need for electricity. There are no carbon emissions from the Solar Distiller and the carbon footprint of operations is zero. This is significantly lower than the industry standard of drilling wells or delivering water by truck.
Using economically viable and sustainable materials and manufacturing practices to prototype and test, this report shows that it is possible to meet the needs of millions of impoverished individuals around the globe. The Soar Distiller designed in this project produces clean, drinkable water at a rate of 3 liters a day under normal conditions. The unit meets all national and international standards for water treatment and containment, and can be produced at a competitive cost rivaling the industry standards.
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[accordion-item title=”SDP – 8 Nautical Emergency Desalination Device N.E.D.D.”]
Students
David Lara
Andres Ramos
James Ashe
Project Advisor
Dr. Andres Tremante
Abstract
The objective of the Nautical Emergency Desalination Device (NEDD) is to provide a portable Reverse Osmosis device for emergency situations. It is a device that can assist victims of a disaster or search and rescue teams undergoing extensive searches. Under extreme conditions, the device can be used to desalinate seawater to provide sustainable drinking water to extend the survivability of men and women lost at sea or stranded along the coast. Furthermore, it will be able to provide enough water to sustain more than one person. The goal of the design is to obtain from 1 to 5 liters of clean drinking water per day. The actual amount of water that the device will make depends on the design, which has financial, ethical, and engineering constraints. Another constraint is the weight of the device, as it must be portable enough to carry around. In addition, the device will be simple to use so that any man or woman from any part of the world can operate the device under stressful circumstances. While the device will come with a multi-lingual manual, it is important to understand that someone must be able to handle the device even if the manual is not at hand. The device can integrate mechanical work to provide fresh water efficiently and easily, but at a financial cost and loss of portability. Therefore, the amount of power needed and the means to obtain the power are massive aspects of the design.
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[accordion-item title=”SDP – 9 Personal Solar Powered Vehicle “]
Students
Bryan Miyasato
James Momperousse
Abdulrahman Alsafeh
Project Advisor
Dr. Seyad Ebrahim Beladi
Abstract
A solar powered vehicle is an ecofriendly product that provides a viable means of transportation for an average commuter. Most vehicles on the road utilize gas powered motors to provide the energy needed to produce motion. With a rising population and a diminishing source of fossil fuel, an alternative fuel source is desired. This reports aims to provide details on the design, methodology, analysis, and cost of a personal solar powered vehicle.
The solar powered automobile is going to be designed with the goal of performing as a neighborhood electric vehicle. The general concept will be to have it equipped with a solar panel, capable of relaying the generated electricity to the onboard batteries. The solar panel frame will have the ability to tilt, which would optimize the generation of electricity, depending on the user’s latitude. An electric DC motor energized by the charged batteries will generate the energy needed to provide motion. With the assistance of a transmission system, the vehicle will have the power needed for basic neighborhood transportation. The following report will guide the reader through the engineering process and reasoning behind the final presented design.
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[accordion-item title=”SDP – 11 Dual Energy Solar Collector”]
Students
Adrian Jarrin
Jorge Gramcko
Juan Bernabeu
Project Advisor
Dr. Andres Tremante
Abstract
Humans are becoming aware that this planet needs saving from Global Warming; engineering students are hereby the new generation which will, in a near future develop solutions and clean energy consumption systems. Having said that, the motivation of this team is to create a clean and renewable energy powered future, starting by implementing it in our daily routines.
The city of Sweetwater has funded engineering major students to start a project starring the Sweetwater Public Trolley, and a lot of Clean Energy usage. With the help of advisor Andres Tremante, it was possible to create a Dual Energy Solar Collector, dual meaning two types of energy being harnessed; the energy from the sun’s photons, and the energy from the latter’s heat. The essence of the energy collector will be to heat a primary fluid from electromagnetic radiation from the sun, and from a secondary fluid which will be taken from the exhaust gas from a combustion chamber. This will be part of the energy source for an entire full-size trolley, and will power both the battery bank leading to the electric motor used to move the wheels, as well as the heat needed to bring refrigerants to a higher temperature for A/C purposes.
The prototype effectively delivered the parameters required to run the current owned absorption chiller. However, to be fully functional, the length of the pipeline as well as the mirrors must be extended to at least twice the build length.
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[accordion-item title=”SDP – 13 Micro Hydroelectric Power Plant “]
Students
Michael Carrillo
Edward Gomez
Maria Loreto
Project Advisor
Dr. Seyad Ebrahim Beladi
Abstract
Energy is of great importance in developing countries for economic reasons and also for social development and human welfare. A convenient way for underdeveloped and developing countries to obtain energy is through renewable resources. Hydropower is a renewable source of energy, which is economical, non-polluting, and environmentally benign among all renewable sources of energy if created at a small scale. Nearly two-thirds of the possible hydropower market has not been tapped into. Many of the rural locations where the market fits in do not have a stable source of energy or do not even have energy. By creating a feasible design for a hydroelectric power plant, we will be able to supply rural communities with energy. The purpose of the project is to gather water from low head locations and with the help of the micro hydroelectric power plant, supply electricity to the rural community. With our penstock design and rectangular box, we are able to have a steady flow of water come in and out of our power plant. Using worst case coefficients for our turbine efficiency (0.5), generator efficiency (0.8), and head losses coefficient (0.75) gathered from past studies, we should be able to generate a maximum power of 2 kW. Testing is still to be done in order to prove if our analysis is correct.
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