Engineering Models I

Course Objectives To explore the application of algebra, trigonometry,

and calculus to various engineering disciplines. To learn the fundamentals of programming and good

programming practices and utilize these skills to solve numerical problems and create numerical algorithms.

To develop good problem solving skills by applying problem solving strategies to a variety of engineering problems with MATLAB®.

To cultivate effective team-work and communication skills through lab work and a design project.

Course StructureLecture: Meets once per week for 55 minutes Bring your laptops Attendance is required (5% of grade) Students are expected to view videos prior to attending

lecture Short Blackboard quizzes at start of lecture

Recitation: Meets once per week for two hours Bring your laptops Attendance is required Homework assignments and recitation work from the

previous week are due at the beginning of recitation

Expectations Attendance is required for both lecture and recitation. Students should prepare for lecture each week by viewing

the videos prior to lecture and doing the suggested exercises.

Students should prepare for recitation each week by reading through the lab prior to recitation and completing any required pre-work.

Assignments must be turned in on time. Homework will not be accepted late and quizzes cannot be made up.

Working with other students is encouraged. However, all assignments that you turn in must be your own work! All students turning in duplicate documents will receive a zero on the assignment including the student that actually completed the work.

Review of Syllabus

Note: Syllabus is posted on Blackboard

https://blackboard.uc.edu

Engineering Your World

Engineers are Problem Solvers and Innovators

Engineers recognize needs or problems Engineers create new products or systems and

make existing products or systems faster, cheaper, more reliable, …

Engineers must be good problem solvers, understand their discipline, be adept at using design tools, be meticulous in checking designs, and be able to communicate and work well with other people (both technical and non-technical).

Health Care Prosthesis Medical devices like hearing aids Computer Diagnostic Tools X-rays, MRIs, … Surgical Robots

Personal Electronic Devices Computers Cell Phones Digital T.V. DVDs Digital Cameras Kindle iPods and MP3 players

Structures Buildings Bridges Canals Dams

Transportation Cars Planes Trains Boats

Manufacturing Robotics Conveyer Systems Packaging

Infrastructure Safe Water Supply Sewage Disposal Roads Power

Space Exploration

The on-board program that allowed Curiosity to successfully land on Mars had over 500,000 lines of code.

Impact of Computers

Data Collection & Analysis

NASA’s Orbiting Carbon Observatory (OCO-2): Due to launch next July. Will take 200,000 samples of the Earth’s atmosphere per day to track atmospheric levels of CO2 (73 million data points per year).http://oco.jpl.nasa.gov/

New I-35W bridge in MinneapolisOld bridge collapsed August 1, 2007 killing 13 people and injuring 145 others. The bridge has 500 Smart Bridge sensors. “Some sensors record the bridge's response to vibration, corrosion and environmental conditions. Other sensors trigger an automated anti-icing system when wind, temperature and humidity reach certain levels. Others detect unauthorized activity on and around the bridge”. http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2012/08/01/news/high-tech-new-i-35w-bridge

Data Collection & AnalysisPillCam® video capsule

An Israeli biomedical company, Given Imaging, has developed a minimally invasive tool for diagnosing diseases of the GI tract that substantially improves visual imaging of the small intestine. The capsule, which is swallowed by the patient, contains a tiny video camera that transmits 50,000 digital images from the GI tract to a receiver fitted in a belt around the patient’s body. All 50,000 images are downloaded to a PC for analysis.

http://www.mathworks.com/company/user_stories/Given-Imaging-Develops-Camera-in-a-Capsule-Using-MATLAB-to-Improve-the-Diagnosis-of-Gastrointestinal-Disorders.html

Software Design Tools

SolidWorksMATLAB/Simulink

AUTODESKAUTOCAD

Lab View

Design Examples Utilizing MATLABOne of GeoMechanics International’s graphical user interfaces (GUIs), used by drilling engineers at the wellhead to minimize wellbore instability and maximize production.http://www.mathworks.com/company/user_stories/GeoMechanics-Cuts-Product-Development-Costs-by-50.html

Merrimack Pharmaceuticals uses SimBiology and the Bioinfomatics Toolbox to develop cancer treatments based on inhibiting cell-signaling pathways that control cell growth.

http://www.mathworks.com/company/user_stories/Merrimack-Pharmaceuticals-Reduces-Drug-Discovery-Time-with-MATLAB-and-SimBiology.html

Automated Control

High Speed Pick and Place Robotshttp://www.directindustry.com/prod/gough-co-engineering-ltd/high-speed-pick-and-place-robots-72984-946747.html Automated Flight Control Systems

https://commerce.honeywell.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/eSystemDisplay?catalogId=10251&storeId=10651&categoryId=13979&langId=-1

Communications & Networking

Entertainment

Games

Animated Movies

http://music.princeton.edu/~dan/plork/papers/WhyALaptopOrchestra.pdf

Electronic MusicDan Trueman studied composition and theory at CCM (University of Cincinnati)

Problem Solving

Problem Solving Exercise Solving Problem is poorly defined –

all of the necessary information is not provided.

The path to a solution is not obvious. Information must be gathered, questions must be asked, and new knowledge may be needed.

Multiple solutions are possible and analysis is required to choose the optimal solution.

Problem solving requires synthesis or integration of knowledge from several areas

Exercise is well-defined with all the needed information provided in the problem statement.

All the background for solving the exercise has been provided (examples, appropriate formulas, …).

There is one right answer. Solving an exercise

typically only requires knowledge of the material being covered in class or closely related pre-requisite courses.

Engineers Solve Problems not Exercises

Engineering EducationIn an engineering education, exercise

solving is important because it builds technical competence in your field – a necessary skill for effective problem solving in engineering.

In an engineering education, problem solving is important because it requires integration of knowledge, self-directed learning, creativity, good analytical skills, effective communication, and an ability to work productively on a team.

DEFINE

GATHER DECIDE

GENERATE

EVALUATE

IMPLEMENT

DEFINE THE PROBLEM What exactly is the problem? What are the constraints?

DEFINE

GATHER DECIDE

GENERATE

EVALUATE

IMPLEMENT

GATHER INFORMATION Review any relevant available

data Gather more data if necessary Talk to people involved and/or

experts Learn what you don’t know Avoid information overload

DEFINE

GATHER DECIDE

GENERATE

EVALUATE

IMPLEMENT

GENERATE SOLUTIONS Brainstorm – don’t evaluate! Don’t get hooked on the first

solution that appears to work Be creative and innovative – a

diverse set of solutions leads to a better final solution Don’t create artificial constraints

DEFINE

GATHER DECIDE

GENERATE

EVALUATE

IMPLEMENT

DECIDE ON BEST SOLUTION Does the solution solve the problem? Does the solution meet the constraints? What is the cost of the solution? Is implementation difficult and/or time

consuming? How does the solution impact users?

DEFINE

GATHER DECIDE

GENERATE

EVALUATE

IMPLEMENT

IMPLEMENT THE SOLUTION

If possible, test the solution first through simulation, prototype, and/or test market.

DEFINE

GATHER DECIDE

GENERATE

EVALUATE

IMPLEMENT

EVALUATE THE SOLUTION

Now that the solution has been implemented, does it indeed solve the problem?

Characteristics of Effective Problem Solvers

Take time to understand and define the problem. Draw sketches, charts, or figures, write equations, and/or re-describe the problem.

Take time to gather critical background information and data.

Able to draw on and apply pertinent subject knowledge. Follow a systematic process, using a variety of tactics, to

tackle the problem. Do not give up easily – persevere when stuck – willing to

deal with ambiguity and able to cope with frustration or stress.

Open to alternative viewpoints and opinions. Emphasize accuracy over speed. Check and re-check.