Matching Items (478)
Description
In this paper, the effectiveness and practical applications of cooling a computer's CPU using mineral oil is investigated. A computer processor or CPU may be immersed along with other electronics in mineral oil and still be operational. The mineral oil acts as a dielectric and prevents shorts in the electronics while also being thermally conductive and cooling the CPU. A simple comparison of a flat plate immersed in air versus mineral oil is considered using analytical natural convection correlations. The result of this comparison indicates that the plate cooled by natural convection in air would operate at 98.41[°C] while the plate cooled by mineral oil would operate at 32.20 [°C]. Next, CFD in ANSYS Fluent was used to conduct simulation with forced convection representing a CPU fan driving fluid flow to cool the CPU. A comparison is made between cooling done with air and mineral oil. The results of the CFD simulation results indicate that using mineral oil as a substitute to air as the cooling fluid reduced the CPU operating temperature by sixty degrees Celsius. The use of mineral oil as a cooling fluid for a consumer computer has valid thermal benefits, but the practical challenges of the method will likely prevent widespread adoption.
ContributorsTichacek, Louis Joseph (Author) / Huang, Huei-Ping (Thesis director) / Herrmann, Marcus (Committee member) / Middleton, James (Committee member) / Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Program (Contributor, Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2016-12
Description
Carbon nanotube (CNT) membranes (buckypaper) are manufactured with multiple procedures, vacuum filtration, surfactant-free, and 3D printing. A post-manufacturing process for resin impregnation is subjected to the membranes. The effects of manufacturing processes on the microstructure and material properties are investigated for both pristine and resin saturated samples manufactured using all procedures. Microstructural characteristics that are studied include specific surface area, porosity, pore size distribution, density, and permeability. Scanning electron microscopy is used to characterize the morphology of the membrane. Brunauer-Emmett-Teller analysis is conducted on membrane samples to determine the specific surface area. Barrett-Joyner-Halenda analysis is conducted on membrane samples to determine pore characteristics. Once the microstructure is characterized for each manufacturing process for both pristine and resin saturated samples, material properties of the membrane and nanocomposite structures are explored and compared on a manufacturing basis as well as a microstructural basis. Membranes samples are interleaved in the overlap of carbon fiber polymer matrix composite tubes, which are subjected to fracture testing. The effects of carbon nanotube membrane manufacturing technology on the fracture properties of nanocomposite structures with tubular geometries are explored. In parallel, the influences of manufacturing technology on the electromechanical properties of the membrane that effect a piezoresistive response are investigated for both pristine and resin saturated membranes manufactured using both methods. The result of this study is a better understanding of the relationships between manufacturing technology and the effected microstructure, and the resulting influences on material properties for both CNT membranes and derivative nanocomposite structures. Developing an understanding of these multiscale relationships leads to an increased capacity in designing manufacturing processes specific to optimizing the expression of desired characteristics for any given application.
ContributorsWoodward, John Michael (Author) / Chattopadhyay, Aditi (Thesis director) / Yekani Fard, Masoud (Committee member) / Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Program (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2017-05
Description
This paper describes an aircraft design optimization tool for wave drag reduction. The tool synthesizes an aircraft wing and fuselage geometry using the Rhinoceros CAD program. It then implements an algorithm to perform area-ruling on the fuselage. The algorithm adjusts the cross-sectional area along the length of the fuselage, with the wing geometry fixed, to match a Sears-Haack distribution. Following the optimization of the area, the tool collects geometric data for analysis using legacy performance tools. This analysis revealed that performing the optimization yielded an average reduction in wave drag of 25% across a variety of Mach numbers on two different starting geometries. The goal of this project is to integrate this optimization tool into a larger trade study tool as it will allow for higher fidelity modeling as well as large improvements in transonic and supersonic drag performance.
ContributorsLeader, Robert William (Author) / Takahashi, Timothy (Thesis director) / Middleton, James (Committee member) / Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Program (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2016-12
Description
Many industries require workers in warehouse and stockroom environments to perform frequent lifting tasks. Over time these repeated tasks can lead to excess strain on the worker's body and reduced productivity. This project seeks to develop an exoskeletal wrist fixture to be used in conjunction with a powered exoskeleton arm to aid workers performing box lifting types of tasks. Existing products aimed at improving worker comfort and productivity typically employ either fully powered exoskeleton suits or utilize minimally powered spring arms and/or fixtures. These designs either reduce stress to the user's body through powered arms and grippers operated via handheld controls which have limited functionality, or they use a more minimal setup that reduces some load, but exposes the user's hands and wrists to injury by directing support to the forearm. The design proposed here seeks to strike a balance between size, weight, and power requirements and also proposes a novel wrist exoskeleton design which minimizes stress on the user's wrists by directly interfacing with the object to be picked up. The design of the wrist exoskeleton was approached through initially selecting degrees of freedom and a ROM (range of motion) to accommodate. Feel and functionality were improved through an iterative prototyping process which yielded two primary designs. A novel "clip-in" method was proposed to allow the user to easily attach and detach from the exoskeleton. Designs utilized a contact surface intended to be used with dry fibrillary adhesives to maximize exoskeleton grip. Two final designs, which used two pivots in opposite kinematic order, were constructed and tested to determine the best kinematic layout. The best design had two prototypes created to be worn with passive test arms that attached to the user though a specially designed belt.
ContributorsGreason, Kenneth Berend (Author) / Sugar, Thomas (Thesis director) / Holgate, Matthew (Committee member) / Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Program (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2016-12
Description
Bharatanatyam, one of the oldest forms of Indian classical dance, is a powerful medium for storytelling and revitalizing Hindu culture. By using various hand gestures and expressions, this honors thesis explores how this art form can empower women by analyzing influential historical figures such as Jhansi ki Rani, a fearless queen who acted as the regent of the Indian Mutiny against the rule of the British East India Company. This thesis will be presented through a narrative performance, where I embody my personal growth, overcoming my timidity by expressing how learning from the past strengthens women in the present. The premise of the defense will be a protest occurring on campus and how I encourage my friends to join me in voicing their opinions. The methodology involved researching Jhansi ki Rani’s history, writing a script to describe these learnings by comparing past and present, and creating a soundtrack by carefully selecting music and choreography that conveys an accurate message. Ultimately, by empowering my friends, I demonstrate how Bharatanatyam can bring awareness to societal issues and stimulate the uplifting of women and other minorities. I also discuss the technical skills I have learned, my personal growth, and how this experience has educated me more about my culture. Lastly, future work is discussed, and acknowledgments are given to Professor David Olarte and Miss Rinku Das, who have guided me through this process.
ContributorsSundaram, Sahana (Author) / Olarte, David (Thesis director) / Das, Rinku (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Program (Contributor)
Created2025-05
Description
This paper focuses on the design, manufacturing, and testing, of a small-scale two-stage
solar concentrator prototype coupled with an optical fiber. The purpose of this project is to explore the viability of alternative heat transfer methods to reduce the negative environmental effects of concrete manufacturing. It is hoped that this research will present information and designs that can be used to reduce costs and increase efficiency of future solar concentrator technology.
To achieve the above goal, a two-stage solar concentrator design was developed so its overall
heat transfer capabilities could be evaluated and the viability of using optical fibers could be
determined. Unfortunately, challenges during manufacturing limited the functionality of the
prototype to a single-stage concentrator without the use of an optical fiber. However, valuable heat transfer and solar thermal efficiency data was collected from three separate single-stage solar concentrator designs. Design 1 features a polished aluminum mirror with an altered parabolic shape from the theoretical design. Design 2 features a 3D-printed mold with a silver film applied on its surface based on the theoretical parabolic shape. Design 3 features a silver film applied on top of the aluminum mirror from design 1.
During testing of these solar concentrators, it was determined that design 2 achieved an
overall average solar thermal efficiency of .49 which is 3.86x the efficiency of design 1, and 1.49x the efficiency of design 3. Design 2 also achieved a plate temperature of 166.4℃ while designs 1 and 2 reached maximum temperatures of 67.3℃ and 139.3℃ respectively. Overall, the tests showed that if dimensional tolerances between the physical prototype and theoretical design can be kept to a minimum, relatively high heat transfer rates and efficiencies can be achieved. Ideally, this research would be used to identify possible issues with manufacturing solar concentrators to help optimize
future designs.
ContributorsHorner, Wyatt (Author) / Phelan, Patrick (Thesis director) / Wang, Liping (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Program (Contributor)
Created2025-05
Description
The objective of this project was to analyze the flight of a red-tailed hawk in order to figure out how it remains stable in flight, and to determine if it had any advantages over conventional aircraft that could be implemented into future aircraft design. The analysis was performed by solving a six degree of freedom model (6DOF) in MATLAB with the use of Simulink. The twelve equations of motion that describe the 6DOF had to be built in Simulink, and parameters describing the bird’s performance and geometry had to be found and implemented as well. In preparation for the project, a lot of research was conducted to see what others had come across and how they thought birds remain stable. Research was also conducted in order to better describe the red-tailed hawk in the model. The research was focused on the aerodynamics of birds, and ranged from finding lift curve slopes to finding the physical mechanisms behind how birds control themselves and remain stable. In the absence of a live red-tailed hawk specimen that could be studied, pictures and videos were used to obtain flight performance and geometric characteristics. Preliminary results from the model modeling the hawk’s open loop response showed that even with a configuration that was statically longitudinally stable, the bird’s velocity was unbounded and showed oscillations with large changes in magnitude. Since the velocity was unbounded, the position was also unbounded and both were reaching values that were unrealistic. The bird’s pitch rate was also constantly increasing. These results indicated that the hawk must be closing the loop and a controller for pitch rate and pitch angle had to be modeled. The gains of the controller were chosen to target the Butterworth poles. Integration of the controller into the existing model was successful and results showed that the rates and angles were controlled. Based on those results, it was confirmed that the bird was actively controlling itself to maintain orientation during descent. With a viable model constructed, it opens up the possibility of studying more aspects of the bird’s flight, such as lateral stability. For future study, there is opportunity to refine the aerodynamics model, explore lateral stability, and model the hawk’s guidance system as it hunts for prey.
ContributorsBialek-Kling, Ashton (Author) / Garrett, Frederick (Thesis director) / Hines, Taylor (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Program (Contributor) / Dean, W.P. Carey School of Business (Contributor)
Created2025-05
Description
Our thesis project leverages the cultural power of film and media to empower students to learn about what coral bleaching is, how scientists are working to mitigate this issue, and offer accessible options for intervening into this crisis. It bridges the gap between common views of corals either being full of spectacle or being bleached and lost to death and empower viewers to find their own personal connections to coral ecosystems. The target audience is students from middle to high school, but kids of any age will be able to view and learn from it. In addition to bringing attention towards this issue, the film teaches students how they can implement sustainable practices to decrease their own environmental footprint and help to slow the decline of coral reefs. Within this film, there are three main topics covered: what coral reefs are, what coral bleaching is, what scientists are doing to help prevent it, and how the viewer can help mitigate the effects of coral bleaching. By sectioning the video in this way, we hope to create a story for the viewers to learn and care about the corals while also learning about the precautions needed to reduce coral bleaching events. Our vision for this project was to create a short educational video that had an engaging narrative and imagery while simultaneously empowering the viewer to care for coral reefs and our oceans. While doing this, we were inspired by educational videos such as BrainPOP created by Dr. Avraham Kadar and Crash Course created by John and Hank Green. This stop motion animation was filmed with cardstock paper and sticker props to create the colorful imagery that we envisioned. We wanted to raise awareness about what is happening in our oceans and show viewers why they should care, especially those who live in land locked states such as Arizona or do not get to visit the ocean regularly.
ContributorsHasegawa, Paige (Author) / Bernabe, Charlene (Co-author) / Han, Lisa (Thesis director) / Roger, Liza (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Program (Contributor)
Created2024-05
Description
High power rocketry utilizes the engineering sciences to design rockets for speed or altitude performance goals. To accomplish these goals, rocket structures must be created with maximum strength and minimum mass. Using COMSOL Multiphysics, the aerodynamic loadings and composite structural stresses are simulated using supersonic CFD solvers and FSDT laminate shell simulations. These stress distribution simulations can inform the design, optimization, and manufacturing processes used to create high power rockets.
ContributorsTerasaki, Brian (Author) / Dong, Xiangyang (Thesis director) / Murthy, Raghevandra (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Program (Contributor)
Created2024-12
Description
A new uniaxial testing apparatus that has been proposed takes advantage of less costly methods such as 3D printing of tensile fixtures and image reference markers for accurate data acquisition. The purpose of this research is to find methods to improve the resolution, accuracy, and repeatability of this newly designed testing apparatus. The first phase of the research involved building a program that optimized the testing apparatus design depending on the sample being tested. It was found that the design program allowed for quick modifications on the apparatus in order to test a wide variety of samples. The second phase of research was conducted using Finite Elements to determine which sample geometry reduced the impact of misalignment error most. It found that a previously proposed design by Dr. Wonmo Kang when combined with the testing apparatus lead to a large reduction in misalignment errors.
ContributorsAyoub, Yaseen (Author) / Kang, Wonmo (Thesis director) / Kashani, Hamzeh (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Program (Contributor)
Created2022-12