Browsing by Subject "Engineering"
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Item A unified theory of engineering design(Texas A&M University, 2007-04-25) Dyas, Scott PatrickA theoretical model of design, that is universal and has a scientific basis, was developed. By doing so, it is believed that the practice of engineering design can be significantly improved. A better system of modeling designs is the missing ingredient that needs to be developed in order to improve the practice of design in the manner suggested above. Existing methodologies were reviewed to examine the current state of engineering design. This helped in developing a set of requirements for a new methodology. The potential for a scientific methodology to improve the practice of engineering design is also discussed. Developing a scientific theory of design, and showing that it meets these requirements was done to satisfy the objective. The theory takes the form of a conceptual model of design, which relates important aspects of the problem and the solution to facilitate a truly top-down hierarchical approach. A few examples are given to show how the methodology can be applied to real world design problems. As a result, a theoretical framework for design was created as a part of this research project. The new methodology, termed UTED (Unified Theory of Engineering Design), addresses many important aspects of design which are overlooked by other methodologies. A set of rules was developed, to guide the designer through the design, and allow a more scientific process to be used. Making design more scientific increases the likelihood of achieving a successful design. The primary conclusions are that the development of a scientific theory of design can be created that makes design processes faster and more efficient, and improves the quality of designs produced, meaning there is a strong potential for such a methodology to have a positive impact on the field of engineering design.Item Academically Gifted, Poor African American Male Undergraduates in Engineering: Perceptions of Factors Contributing to Success in a Historically Black College and University and a Predominantly White Institution Context(2012-10-19) Flowers, AlonzoResearch focusing on the academic and social experiences of academically gifted, poor, African American male college students has been limited. Recent findings on college persistence stress the role of institutions of higher education in providing educational opportunities. However, research on academically gifted, poor, African American males indicates that this student population has had limited access to these opportunities. Academically gifted, poor, African American males in higher education encounter social and institutional factors that guide the directionality of their educational experience, particularly in engineering disciplines. This study explores perceptions of academically gifted, poor, African American male undergraduate students engineering as a major disciplines in order to identify factors that contribute to academic and social development. Based on participants' responses, seven categories emerge to identify aspects of the participants' experiences in college: (a) self-perceptions, (b) financial obstacles, (c) engineering as a major, (d) family influence and support, (e) peer relationships, (f) relationships with faculty, and (g) the students' perceptions of the institution. Based on the findings, it was concluded that institutions of higher education must understand the various factors (e.g., peer and faculty support, institutional congruence) that influence the academic and social integration of academically gifted, poor, African American male students. Specifically, these institutions must recognize the importance of family involvement, mentoring, and increased financial support for academically gifted, poor, African American male students.Item Advanced technology innovation mapping tool to support technology commercialization(2013-12) Felkl, Jakub, 1982-; Nichols, Steven Parks, 1950-This work outlines an Innovation Gap in technology commercialization and presents a novel tool, the Advanced Technology Innovation Mapping (ATIM) tool to address this gap. The tool aims to support technology commercialization in early stages of & prior to the New Product Development Process. The dissertation includes a detailed rationale, description, history, similar and originating methods for this tool based on Value Engineering and Function Maps for Design. This work also demonstrates on several example studies the use of the tool and evaluates via an exploratory study the usefulness of the tool. Research tests the tool in educational and training programs at the University of Texas at Austin and finds that the tool improves user understating of majority of important factors for technology commercialization (customer, technology, development activities). User feedback supports these conclusions. In the future the tool could be further expanded, more standardized and improved. Additionally, the work proposes further ways to study the tool in different settings and with groups of different sizes beyond this early exploratory study.Item An analysis of the prescribed and enacted curriculum of an engineering unit on helmet design(2011-08) Gustafson, Katherine Alessandra; Petrosino, Anthony J. (Anthony Joseph), 1961-; Allen, DavidUsing grounded theory, action research and ethnographic case study methodology this research explores the contrasting ways in which a prescribed curriculum is translated into an enacted curriculum. The current study looks at a 12 week secondary engineering unit (helmet design) which was designed with significant input from a university based team including content experts, learning scientists, master teachers, classroom teachers and school district administrators as part of a grant focused on the creation of a high school engineering course. The unit was enacted in a rural/suburban school by a group of average students by a teacher with high content knowledge in engineering. Five thrusts were identified for analysis including Assessment, Activities, Apparatus, Technology and Standards. Findings indicate much alignment with Apparatus, Standards and Technology thrusts and disparity within the Assessment and Activities thrusts.Item The application of systems engineering to a Space-based Solar Power Technology Demonstration Mission(2012-05) Chemouni Bach, Julien; Fowler, Wallace T.; Guerra, Lisa A.This thesis presents an end-to-end example of systems engineering through the development of a Space-based Solar Power Satellite (SSPS) technology demonstration mission. As part of a higher education effort by NASA to promote systems engineering in the undergraduate classroom, the purpose of this thesis is to provide an educational resource for faculty and students. NASA systems engineering processes are tailored and applied to the development of a conceptual mission in order to demonstrate the role of systems engineering in the definition of an aerospace mission. The motivation for choosing the SSPS concept is two fold. First, as a renewable energy concept, space-based solar power is a relevant topic in today's world. Second, previous SSPS studies have been largely focused on developing full-scale concepts and lack a formalized systems engineering approach. The development of an SSPS technology demonstration mission allows for an emphasis on determining mission, and overall concept, feasibility in terms of technical needs and risks. These are assessed through a formalized systems engineering approach that is defined as an early concept or feasibility study, typical of Pre-Phase A activities. An architecture is developed from a mission scope, involving the following trade studies: power beam type, power beam frequency, transmitter type, solar array, and satellite orbit. Then, a system hierarchy, interfaces, and requirements are constructed, and cost and risk analysis are performed. The results indicate that the SSPS concept is still technologically immature and further concept studies and analyses are required before it can be implemented even at the technology demonstration level. This effort should be largely focused on raising the technological maturity of some key systems, including structure, deployment mechanisms, power management and distribution, and thermal systems. These results, and the process of reaching them, thus demonstrate the importance and value of systems engineering in determining mission feasibility early on in the project lifecycle.Item Aquifer Management for CO2 Sequestration(2010-07-14) Anchliya, AbhishekStorage of carbon dioxide is being actively considered for the reduction of green house gases. To make an impact on the environment CO2 should be put away on the scale of gigatonnes per annum. The storage capacity of deep saline aquifers is estimated to be as high as 1,000 gigatonnes of CO2.(IPCC). Published reports on the potential for sequestration fail to address the necessity of storing CO2 in a closed system. This work addresses issues related to sequestration of CO2 in closed aquifers and the risk associated with aquifer pressurization. Through analytical modeling we show that the required volume for storage and the number of injection wells required are more than what has been envisioned, which renders geologic sequestration of CO2 a profoundly nonfeasible option for the management of CO2 emissions unless brine is produced to create voidage and pressure relief. The results from our analytical model match well with a numerical reservoir simulator including the multiphase physics of CO2 sequestration. Rising aquifer pressurization threatens the seal integrity and poses a risk of CO2 leakage. Hence, monitoring the long-term integrity of CO2 storage reservoirs will be a critical aspect for making geologic sequestration a safe, effective and acceptable method for greenhouse gas control. Verification of long-term CO2 residence in receptor formations and quantification of possible CO2 leaks are required for developing a risk assessment framework. Important aspects of pressure falloff tests for CO2 storage reservoirs are discussed with a focus on reservoir pressure monitoring and leakage detection. The importance of taking regular pressure falloffs for a commercial sequestration project and how this can help in diagnosing an aquifer leak will be discussed. The primary driver for leakage in bulk phase injection is the buoyancy of CO2 under typical deep reservoir conditions. Free-phase CO2 below the top seal is prone to leak if a breach happens in the top seal. Consequently, another objective of this research is to propose a way to engineer the CO2 injection system in order to accelerate CO2 dissolution and trapping. The engineered system eliminates the buoyancy-driven accumulation of free gas and avoids aquifer pressurization by producing brine out of the system. Simulations for 30 years of CO2 injection followed by 1,000 years of natural gradient show how CO2 can be securely and safely stored in a relatively smaller closed aquifer volume and with a greater storage potential. The engineered system increases CO2 dissolution and capillary trapping over what occurs under the bulk phase injection of CO2. This thesis revolves around identification, monitoring and mitigation of the risks associated with geological CO2 sequestration.Item Automated bench testing for rapid prototype delivery(Texas Tech University, 2003-08) Pierre, Leonardo MichaelWith the rapid pace of technological improvement, circuit manufacturers are now faced with the problem of getting large numbers of prototype samples to customers in a shorter time period. A manufacturer's profit heavily depends on the volume of samples shipped to customers. Time to market is thus critical, and circuit manufacturers need to develop efficient methodologies for designing, manufacturing, and testing prototype circuits in a competitive time space.Item Characterizing argumentation structure within the asynchronous, online communication of novice engineering design students(2014-12) McKenna, William F., active 21st century; Treisman, UriPracticing argumentation in secondary school classrooms benefits students both in terms of learning how to argue and learning the course material at hand. Amidst the onset and growth of engineering design courses in secondary schools, this dissertation is an exploratory case study to characterize the use of argumentation among novice student engineering designers. The setting is a high school robotics class. Specifically, a group of students from one class section teamed up with a group of students from a separate class section to design and build a single robot. The team members communicated online via a shared, editable document. That text is the primary data set for my analysis. I looked for indications of argumentation structure that emerged from the online discussion, given that, to my knowledge, the students had not been taught argumentation strategies, per se. Engineering design is relatively new to secondary school, so I thought it appropriate to develop a baseline—a case study that reveals how students communicate about their designs when left largely to their own devices. This study may inform the development argumentation scaffolds that support the students’ existing strengths while ameliorating their weaknesses. My analytical supposition was that argumentation in design will take the form of resolving differences of opinion toward the creation of a single design. Hence, I used Pragma-dialectic theory as my analytical framework. It is a broad theory, based upon resolving differences of opinion in everyday conversation. As such, Pragma-dialectic theory may also be able to encompass the idiosyncrasies of team design, such as reliance on intuition and experience, as well as the important roles that designed objects play throughout the process. Taken together, the importance of intuition, experience, and objects suggests multiple modes of communication that ought to be considered arguments within design deliberations. Results suggest that the students worked to resolve differences of design opinions. In doing so, the students relied heavily on their designed objects to make their arguments meaningful. I classified five object-based claims which emerged from the students’ discussions: keystone, tinkering, visual, tactile, and counterfactual. These form the beginnings of a theory of object-based argumentation.Item Control chart for complex systems with trended mean and non-constant variance(2012-05) Ramirez, Jose G; Beruvides, Mario G.; Temblador-Perez, Maria del Carmen; Smith, Milton L.; Limon-Robles, Jorge; Cordero-Franco, Alvaro E.This research focuses on the monitoring of complex systems. Specifically, the main objective is to define a technique to monitor a quadratic behavior when the standard deviation is linearly trended. A three-paper format is chosen for this Dissertation. The first paper shows the mathematical model that the data follows and presents the first approach for a control chart where time series analysis (with an autoregressive approach to identify the parameters of the quadratic behavior) is used to model the central line and the control limits are established considering traditional control charting theory. A correction factor was identified as necessary to provide adequate results and the control chart is able to detect almost all signals; a numerical example is provided. The second paper uses the same principles as the first one but uses the likelihood function to identify the parameters of the quadratic behavior and, as a result, the central line is again estimated. Results show the control limits are smoother in comparison with the first approach; the control chart seems to provide even better results. The third paper performs extensive Monte Carlo simulation to determine the performance of the proposed approaches and to compare them with an equivalent method: the regression control chart (RCC). Results show both LSE and MLE perform well for larger shifts by detecting most signals and controlling the Type-I error.Item Design of an engineering experiment and data driven design in secondary education(2013-08) Fallin, Patrick Timothy; Allen, David T.Pre-tests and post tests were used to assess the effectiveness of an engineering high school unit on experimental design and data driven design. The engineering data acquisition unit examined in this report used project based learning to teach the design of an engineering experiment and data driven design as part of the engineering design process. The project consists of the design of a building that can safely withstand an earthquake. Students construct, test and collect data on baseline buildings, with and without load using a shaker table and data acquisition. Students' then design experiments to evaluate design modifications that will meet the customer's needs. Overall, although the number of participants was limited, the survey instruments indicated that understanding of experimental design improved among high school students participating in the unit. Based on this pilot implementation of survey instruments, some of the survey questions were clarified.Item Development and evaluation of a mass conservation lab module in a microfluidics environment(2013-08) King, Andrew Christian; Hidrovo, Carlos H.; Seepersad, CarolynThis thesis presents a mass conservation laboratory module developed for use in the undergraduate mechanical engineering curriculum. The module investigates mass conservation fundamentals in a simple T-junction microfluidic device and exposes students to the rapidly developing fields of microfluidics and optical diagnostics. The module is a novel application of microfluidics-based instruction, is highly repeatable, and can be conducted at relatively low cost. A benchmark study was also conducted to evaluate the laboratory module’s efficacy as a teaching tool. This was accomplished through utilizing knowledge assessments before and after student exposure to the laboratory module.Item Engaging elementary students in active learning through engineering : methods, observations and outcomes(2014-08) Pearce, Logan Anthony; Petrosino, Anthony J. (Anthony Joseph), 1961-; Barufaldi, JamesEngineering as a pedagogical tool for teaching content and driving student intellectual development is often confined to secondary school grades – middle and high school students. The goal of this work is to explore the feasibility of incorporating engineering, in the form of engineering design challenges, into elementary grade levels. The hypothesis is that engineering design challenges can be made to be age appropriate for elementary students, specifically 1st grade students, without sacrificing elements which make them effective pedagogical tools. This hypothesis was tested through the designing of an engineering design challenge for 1st grade students, which was then taught to a group of elementary students, whose responses were analyzed for desired outcomes indicating effectiveness. The design challenge was demonstrated to be engaging, effective, and feasible for the group of elementary students participating in the research. Students were observed to display engineering habits of mind, an understanding of cause and effect, systems thinking, and a basic understanding of science content through participation in the design challenge. Aspects of the design challenge which were not effective or age appropriate are discussed in this work, and recommendations for further modification of the design challenge to better accommodate elementary students is given.Item Engineering in a mountain resort town(2009-05-15) Waters, Eric W.This Record of Study (ROS) summarizes the experiences and lessons learned while serving as an intern with Peak Land Consultants (PLC) in Vail, Colorado. The objectives of the internship were designed to provide benefits to myself, the United States Air Force Academy, and PLC. The first objective was to develop a business plan for a similar company in a mountain community. This provides a useful tool to begin a second career after retirement from the Air Force. The second objective was to build lesson plans based on the experience at PLC for the Air Force Academy cadets. Through the use of real engineering examples and by integrating civil engineering subjects across the curriculum, Air Force Academy cadets will be better prepared for their professional life as a civil engineer. The last objective was to provide PLC with an objective management review. The management review highlighted good practices and provided recommendations for further improvement in areas such as marketing, communication, project management, training, and company goals. Each one of the objectives was tested. The business plan was provided to a loan officer at Wells Fargo bank. The loan officer remarked that the plan was well researched. He also indicated that the bank was willing to provide a loan for the business. This positive result indicated that the objective to develop a business plan for a similar company in a mountain community was met. The second objective to build lesson plans for the Air Force Academy was also met. These plans were presented to a senior class in April 07. The cadets liked the idea of seeing how an engineer solves problems in the private sector. In addition, the cadets recognized the usefulness of AutoCAD in solving problems in their other classes. Finally, the objective for providing a management review of PLC also proved to be successful. PLC has already implemented a number of recommendations from the review and is using the review to build new company and employee goals.Item Engineering self-efficacy in upper level mathematics(2008-12) Hollingsworth, Taylor; Harris, Gary; Dwyer, Jerry F.; Stevens, TaraA special section of MATH 3350 - Higher Math for Scientists and Engineers (more commonly known as Differential Equations) was developed for Electrical Engineering students to obtain the necessary requisite mathematics for their future courses. The Department of Mathematics and the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department agreed upon a curriculum for the special section of MATH 3350 that left much of the content the same, but gave more attention to the skills needed by the Electrical Engineering students. The researchers wanted to assess what benefit, if any, could be measured and attributed to this special section. Since self-efficacy is a good measure of one’s capabilities, has links with personal competence and determination, and can be derived from seeing peers succeed, it was decided to explore the possibility that enhanced student self-efficacy could be attributed to the special section of MATH 3350. According to the data collected in this study there are no statistically significant differences in terms of self-efficacy between the special section and the regular sections. This report concludes with some notable observations based on the data collected, possible reasons for the lack of difference, and suggested items for further study in the subject.Item Enhancement of faculty skills through mentoring(2012-08) Johnson, Levi; Dwyer, Jerry F.; Williams, Brock; Sherrod, SonyaDespite an extensive literature outlining the beneficial effects of faculty mentorship programs on undergraduate protégés, very little exists evaluating the impact of such activities on the faculty mentors themselves. This study employs grounded theory methods in a qualitative exploration of skills enhancement in faculty mentors involved in externally funded scholarship and mentorship programs for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics majors enrolled at Texas Tech University. The researcher collected data through in-person observations of mentoring sessions, open-ended surveys, and semi-guided interviews with faculty mentors. A relatively small participant pool somewhat restricted the breadth of conclusions; however, the depth and richness of the data collected indicate that participation resulted in varied levels of improvement in both pedagogical and interpersonal skills.Item Extensible Software Architecture for a Distributed Engineering Simulation Facility(2013-03-18) May, James FA need has arisen for an easy-to-use, flexible, transparent, and cross-platform communication backbone for configuration and execution of distributed simulations and experiments. Open source, open architecture, and custom student written pro- grams have extended the capabilities of educational research facilities and opened the way for the development of the architecture presented in this thesis. The architecture is known by the recursive acronym hADES: hADES Architecture for Distributed Engineering Simulation. Included in this thesis is a discussion of the design and implementation of the novel hADES software architecture for Ethernet and wireless IEEE 802.11 network-based distributed simulation and experiment facilities. The goal of this architecture is to facilitate rapid integration of new and legacy simulations and laboratory equipment to support undergraduate and graduate research projects as well as educational classroom activities and industrial simulation and experiments.Item Faculty perceptions of online learning in engineering education(2015-05) Kinney, Lance Stephen; Liu, Min, Ed. D.; Hughes, Joan E; Marshall, Jill; Veletsianos, George; Thornton, MitchResearch indicates there is a gap in the implementation of online courses and programs in engineering education compared to other academic disciplines (Allen & Seaman, 2008, 2011, 2013). Using a mixed methods approach, this study collected both quantitative survey and qualitative interview data to identify which factors engineering faculty members perceived influence the implementation of online engineering courses. The survey items, based on the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology Model (UTAUT) (Davis, 1989; Venkatesh, Morris, Davis, & Davis, 2003), included important factors specific to engineering education as indicated the literature. The interview instrument was developed based on the significant results of the survey portion of the study. The initial survey was sent to every engineering faculty member at all 31 institutions and 125 ABET accredited engineering programs in the state of Texas, with a final response population of n=266. The findings identified three major factors that influenced the implementation of online engineering courses: online teaching experience, course development issues, and implementation of technical aspects particular to engineering in an online format. The results are discussed within the context of the literature and recommendations to address the identified factors and barriers to implementation of online engineering are provided.Item From the mind to the hand : a beginners guide to milling(2013-08) Crocker, Paul Michael; Deshpande, Ashish D.; Marshall, JillThe purpose of this document is to provide a starting point to engage high school students in a program utilizing CNC milling technology along with CAD/CAM innovations. The beginners’ user manual gives students foundational knowledge in using for Autodesk Inventor, sprutCAM software, and operation of a Tormach PCNC 1100 mill. These tools were chosen since they are available to the author’s school district. Supporting information is given to support the claim of its importance in the classroom for high schoolers.Item High school engineering project : the modified electric guitar(2014-12) Self, James Brian; Crawford, Richard H.Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics EducationItem How technical standards are developed for global engineering and manufacturing organizations(2010-08) Bauer Bailey, Alyssa Kay; Seepersad, Carolyn C.; Ambler, TonyThis paper explores how corporations can choose technical standards used throughout its organization. A methodology for choosing the standard is introduced. It is based on the methods that professional standards organizations use to create new standards for industries. The steps to choose an external standard as well as create new internal standards are consensus, development, approvals, and maintenance. Questions about standards from Applied Materials are answered: what technical standard should be used for engineering drawings, should the company use metric units, what tolerance scheme should be used, and how are standards chosen when a merger or acquisition is performed? Applied Materials should use the ASME Y14.5M-1994 standard. The move to metric should be done if the customers request it. Simple parts and complex assemblies should not be toleranced the same way. When mergers and acquisitions are done, the consensus, development, approval, and maintenance method should be used to choose which standards should be used.