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SOUTH DAKOTA SCHOOL OF MINES AND TECHNOLOGY

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

SENIOR DESIGN PROJECT PROPOSAL LIST – FALL 2012

New Project

Project # 1 - ASME Human Powered Vehicle 2013 (ME, IENG, MetE)

Project # 2 - Baja SAE 2013 (ME, IENG, MetE)

Project # 3 - Formula SAE 2013 (ME, IENG, EE, MetE)

Project # 4 - SAE Aero Design 2013 (ME, IENG, MetE)

Project # 5 - SAE Zero Emissions Snowmobile 2013 (ME, EE, IENG, MetE)

Project # 6 - UAV 2013 (ME, EE, CENG, CSC, MetE)

Project # 7 - SAE Supermileage 2013 (ME, EE, IENG, MetE)

Project # 8 - Maya Pedal Guatemala (ME, CEE, ENVE, IENG)

Project # 9 - Composite Acoustic Guitar (ME, IENG, MetE)

Project # 10 - ASME SDC – Remote Inspection Device (ME, EE/CENG, CSC)

Project # 11 - Moonrockers: NASA Lunar Regolith Excavator (ME, EE, CENG, CSC)

Project # 12 - Development of Autonomous Submersible to Explore Extreme Environments

(ME, Chem/ChemE, CENG, EE, IENG)

Project # 13 - Actuator Array (ME, CENG, EE)

Project # 14 - Multifunctional Helmet (ME, MetE)

Project # 15 - Upper Extremity Protective Armor for US Ground Troops (ME, MetE, ChemE)

Project # 16 - Electro-Dynamic Mechanisms for Wave Energy Converters and Wave makers

(ME, EE, CENG, CE)

Project # 17 - purePack 3.0 – Portable Water Purification System (ME, EE, MEM, CEE, GeoE)

Project # 18 - Concrete Airplane (ME, EE, CENG, CEE)

Project # 19 - Steady State Combustor and Exhaust System for Biofuel Research Studies (ME)

Project # 20 - Development of a Grasslands Harvesting Machine (ME)

Project # 21 - Chemical Fuel Cell (ChemE, EE, ME)

Project # 22 - The Needle in the Haystack (or Prairie) (ME, EE, CENG)

Project # 23 – Portable Pop Up Silhouettes (ME, IENG, EE)

Project # 24 - Satellite Attitude Dynamics Simulator (ME, CENG, EE)

Project # 25 - Design of Part Fixturing Table and Clamping System for Refill FSSW (ME, MET)

Project # 26 - AMP Foundry Ventilation, Dust, and Sound Control for Cold Spray (ME, CEE,

EE, IENG, MET)

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SENIOR DESIGN PROJECT PROPOSAL

Project Title: ASME Human Powered Vehicle 2013

Proposed/Advised by: Dr. Matejcik, Dr. Ellingson, Kim Osberg, Dr. Dolan, HPV team

Sponsored by: CAMP, SA, ASME

Project Description (including objectives and requirements):

A vehicle will be designed, built, and tested for the ASME Human Powered Vehicle Competition.

Information can be found at: http://www.asme.org/Events/Contests/

Project Duration: 2 semesters

Technical Areas Encompassed (e.g., machine design, controls):

machine design, manufacturing, materials, composites, ergonomics, aerodynamics

Any other special requirements:

Senior design members are expected to attend the competition.

Number of Students/Disciplines required (e.g., 2 ME, 1 EE, 1 CS):

3 ME, 2IE, and 1 MetE would be desired

http://www.asme.org/Events/Contests/

2



Project Title: Baja SAE 2013

Proposed/Advised by: Dr. Dolan, Dr. Muci, Kim Osberg, Baja SAE Team

Sponsored by: CAMP, SAE, SA, Vermeer

Project Description:

Baja SAE consists of competitions that simulate real-world engineering design projects and their related

challenges. Engineering students are tasked to design and build an off-road vehicle that will survive the

severe punishment of rough terrain and in the East competition—water.

The object of the competition is to provide SAE student members with a challenging project that

involves the planning and manufacturing tasks found when introducing a new product to the consumer

industrial market. Teams compete against one another to have their design accepted for manufacture by a

fictitious firm. Students must function as a team to not only design, build, test, promote, and race a

vehicle within the limits of the rules, but also to generate financial support for their project and manage

their educational priorities.

All vehicles are powered by a ten-horsepower Intek Model 20 engine donated by Briggs & Stratton

Corporation. For over twenty-five years, the generosity of Briggs & Stratton has enabled SAE to provide

each team with a dependable engine free of charge. Use of the same engine by all the teams creates a

more challenging engineering design test.

Project Duration:

2 semesters


Dynamics, vehicle dynamics, machine and structural design, human factors, manufacturing


The students must be SAE members to attend the competition. All seniors are expected to attend the

competition.


A team consisting of 6 MEs, 2IEs, and 1 Met student would be desired, with an emphasis for one team

member taking ME 428: Finite Element Analysis to focus on frame analysis.

3



Project Title: Formula SAE 2013

Proposed/Advised by: Dr. Dolan, Dr. Ellingson, Dr. Shahbazi, Kim Osberg, Chuck Schilling,

FSAE Team

Sponsored by: CAMP, SA, SAE, Poet


The Formula SAE competition is for SAE student members to conceive, design, fabricate, and compete

with small formula-style racing cars. The restrictions on the car frame and engine are limited so that the

knowledge, creativity, and imagination of the students are challenged. For the purpose of this

competition, the students are to assume that a manufacturing firm has engaged them to produce a

prototype car for evaluation as a production item. The intended sales market is the nonprofessional

weekend autocross racer. Therefore, the car must have very high performance in terms of its

acceleration, braking, and handling qualities. The car must be low in cost, easy to maintain, and reliable.

In addition, the car's marketability is enhanced by other factors such as aesthetics, comfort and use of

common parts.

The cars are judged in a series of static and dynamic events including: technical inspection, cost,

presentation, and engineering design, solo performance trials, and high performance track endurance.

These events are scored to determine how well the car performs. In each event, the manufacturing firm

has specified minimum acceptable performance levels that are reflected in the scoring equations.

Further information can be obtained at: http://students.sae.org/competitions/formulaseries/



Dynamics, fluids, aerodynamics, machine and structural design, electric circuits, measurements and

instrumentation, human factors, manufacturing, composites, engines


The students must be SAE members to attend the competition. All seniors are expected to attend the

competition.


A team of 6 MEs, 2 IEs, 2 EEs and 2 Met students would be desired.

http://students.sae.org/competitions/formulaseries/

4



Project Title: SAE Aero Design 2013

Proposed/Advised by: Dr. Dolan, Kim Osberg

Sponsored by: CAMP, SA, SAE, SAE Aero Design Team


The Aero Design® Competition challenges engineering students to conceive, design, fabricate, and test a

radio controlled aircraft that can take off and land while carrying the maximum cargo.

Competition information is posted at: http://students.sae.org/competitions/aerodesign/



Dynamics, machine and structural design, instrumentation and testing, controls, fluids, aerodynamics,

manufacturing


The students must be SAE members to attend the competition, and seniors are expected to attend.


A team of 4 MEs, 2 IEs and 2 Met students would be desired.

http://students.sae.org/competitions/aerodesign/

5



Project Title: SAE Zero Emissions Snowmobile 2013

Proposed/Advised by: Dr. Dolan, Kim Osberg, and the AFV Team

Sponsored by: CAMP, SAE


The object of the competition is to provide SAE student members with a challenging project that

involves the planning and manufacturing tasks found when introducing a new product to the consumer

industrial market. Teams compete against one another to have their design accepted for manufacture by a

fictitious firm. Students must function as a team to not only design, build, test, promote, and demonstrate

a zero-emissions snowmobile within the limits of the rules, but also to generate financial support for

their project and manage their educational priorities.

The SDSM&T team will use an electric motor powered by batteries.

Rules are at: http://students.sae.org/competitions/snow/

Project Duration:

2 semesters


Electric power, motors, controls, dynamics, vehicle dynamics, machine and structural design, human

factors, manufacturing


The students must be SAE members to attend the competition. Senior design members are expected to

attend the competition.


A team consisting of 4 MEs, 4EEs, 2IEs, and 1 Met would be desired.

http://students.sae.org/competitions/snow/

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Project Title: UAV 2013

Proposed/Advised by: Profs. McGough, Dolan, Batchelder, Weiss, Linde, Hoover, Tolle;

Kim Osberg, and UAV team

External advisors: Jason Howe, Mark Sauder

Sponsored by: CAMP, SA


This senior design team will work with the UAV team to select a competition and prepare a machine for

that competition.

This Senior Design Team will coordinate all efforts with the Chief Engineer and Team Manager of the

UAV Team as well as the team at large. All final design decisions will be the collaborative efforts of the

UAV Team leadership, the UAV Team, and the Senior Design Team members. Additionally, it is

desired that Senior Design Team members become and remain SDSM&T UAV Team members in good

standing.

Project Duration: 1 year


Controls, machine design, composite materials and structures, fluid mechanics, instrumentation and testing,

software engineering, programming


Students would be members of the UAV competition team. Senior design members are expected to attend

the competition.


2 ME, 1 EE, 2 CompE, 3 CSc, 1 MET would be desired

7



Project Title: SAE Supermileage 2013

Proposed/Advised by: Dr. Ellingson, Dr. Abata, Dr. Dolan, CAMP

Sponsored by: Nucor Steel and CAMP

Project Description: The Supermileage® competition provides engineering and technology students

with a challenging design project that involves the development and construction of a single-person,

fuel-efficient vehicle. Vehicles are powered by a small four-cycle engine. The vehicles will run a

specified course with the vehicle obtaining the highest combined kilometers per liter (miles per gallon)

rating plus design segment points winning the event. Students have the opportunity to set a world

fuel economy record and increase public awareness of fuel economy. Engines are donated by Briggs

& Stratton.

Further information can be obtained at: http://students.sae.org/competitions/supermileage/



Optimization, Dynamics, fluids, aerodynamics, machine and structural design, measurements and

instrumentation, engines, human factors, manufacturing, composites.


The students must be SAE members to attend the competition. All seniors on the project would be

expected to attend the competition.


A team of 4 MEs, 2 EEs, 1 IE, and 1 Met student would be desired.

http://students.sae.org/competitions/formulaseries/

8



Project Title: Maya Pedal Guatemala

Proposed/Advised by: Dr. Dolan, Kimberly Osberg - CAMP

Sponsored by: CAMP


Bicycle Technology - Maya Pedal is a Guatemalan NGO (non government organization) based in San Andrés

Itzapa. We accept bikes donated from the USA and Canada which we either recondition to sell, or we use the

components to build a range of "Bicimaquinas", (pedal powered machines). Bicimáquinas are pedal-powered

machines that assist with a variety of jobs in the home, on the farm, on the road and in small businesses. Each

bicimáquina is handmade using a combination of old bikes, concrete, wood, and metal.

Pedal power can be harnessed for countless applications which would otherwise require electricity (which may

not be available) or hand power (which is far more effort). Bicimaquinas are easy and enjoyable to use. They can

be built using locally available materials and can be easily adapted to suit the needs of local people. They free the

user from rising energy costs, can be used anywhere, are easy to maintain, produce no pollution and provide

healthy exercise.

Students have the opportunity to design, build and donate bicimáquinas. This senior design project should

increase pedal power research and development and an information resource for NGO’s promoting

appropriate technology and small scale, sustainable agriculture. For more information visit

http://mayapedal.org.

Requirement: All major materials must be previously used.



Manufacturing and machine design, previous knowledge of bicycles is encouraged.



To build this bike I think we would need 4 students, preferable an Industrial Engineer and an

Environmental or Civil Engineer with a Mechanical Engineer.

http://mayapedal.org/machines.html

http://mayapedal.org/

9



Project Title: Composite Acoustic Guitar

Proposed/Advised by: Dr. Dolan, Dave Lang, Gary Santa

Sponsored by: CAMP, Gary Santa, Dr. Dolan


A composite (carbon fiber) acoustic 6-string guitar will be designed, built, and tested. It is desired to focus

on the manufacturing technology while assuring a professional sounding guitar. The guitar should have

roughly the shape, size, and sound of a dreadnought guitar.



machine design, structures, manufacturing, materials, composites, ergonomics, acoustics, vibrations, music


It would be helpful if at least one of the team members were a guitar player.


3 ME, 1 IENG, and 1 MetE would be desired

10


SENIOR DESIGN PROJECT PROPOSAL Project Title: ASME STUDENT DESIGN CONTEST – Remote Inspection Device

Proposed/Advised by: Mr. Jason Ash + others

Sponsored by: A $500 budget is available from the ASME student chapter with the possibility of an

additional $500 depending on project needs/resources. Travel and hotel expenses will be covered by your ASME

student section.


After the tragedy at the Fukushima nuclear facility following the March 2011 Tohoku earthquake and

tsunami, the nuclear industry has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) to design and build a small,

remotely-controlled inspection vehicle. The purpose of the vehicle is to determine the level of radioactivity

at specified locations and inspect for damage. This vehicle will protect the human operator from absorbing

a high dose of radioactive contamination. There is information that could be gained by the inspection

vehicle that could inform the plant operators so that they may avert an accident or begin repairs The

ASME student design contest is a scaled down version of this RFP that does not have to contend with a

radioactive environment. The task for the team is to design a remotely-controlled, proof-of-concept vehicle

for inspection purposes. The vehicle must be able to negotiate around obstacles, both in getting to the

inspection points and in bringing the sensor back to the designated return area. The vehicle must then

return to its starting location, ready for another run as described:

http://www.asme.org/events/competitions/student-design-competition



Machine design, mechatronics, controls, and programming


ASME membership required for 2012-2013 at the $25 student rate.

Competition Prizes:

Number of Students/Disciplines required

Up to 4 ME/EE/CENG/CSC students (Team cannot exceed 4 students): The ideal team would be 1 of each

discipline or 2 ME, 1 EE or CENG, and 1 CSC.

http://www.asme.org/events/competitions/student-design-competition

11


SENIOR DESIGN PROJECT PROPOSAL Project Title: NASA Lunabotics: Lunar Regolith Excavator

Proposed/Advised by: Mr. Jason Ash and Dr.’s Michael Batchelder, Jeff McGough, and Charles Tolle+

Sponsored by: A proposal for $5000 in funding from NASA will be sent once open for submission.

Additional fundraising is likely required.


The Lunabotics Mining Competition is a university-level competition designed to engage and retain students in

science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). NASA will directly benefit from the competition by

encouraging the development of innovative lunar excavation concepts from universities which may result in clever

ideas and solutions which could be applied to an actual lunar excavation device or payload. The challenge is for

students to design and build a remote controlled or autonomous excavator, called a lunabot, that can collect and

deposit a minimum of 10 kilograms of lunar simulant within 15 minutes. The complexities of the challenge include

the abrasive characteristics of the lunar simulant, the weight and size limitations of the lunabot, and the ability to

control the lunabot from a remote control center. This will be the 4th year of the competition with a major goal of

implementing autonomy this year. Complete details of the competition are provided at the following location:

http://www.nasa.gov/lunabotics



Machine design, mechatronics, controls, vision systems, and programming


K-12 Outreach required as part of this project.

Competition will be at Kennedy Space Center from May 20-24, 2013.

Competition Prizes:

$5000 for the overall competition Joe Kosmo team award winner and $3000, $2000, and $1000 for 1st, 2

nd,

and 3rd

place along with VIP Kennedy Space Center launch tickets for all of these.


5-8 ME/EE/CENG/CSC/MINE students (Ideal team would be 2 ME, 2 EE/CENG, 2 CSC, and 2 MinE)

http://www.nasa.gov/lunabotics

12



Project Title: Development of Autonomous Submersible to Explore Extreme Environments

Proposed/Advised by: Drs. Tolle, McGough, Matejcik, and Mr. Ash

Sponsored by: South Dakota Space Grant NASA ($8k is in place to support implementation)


The AUV (Autonomous Underwater Vehicle) team is looking for senior design students from a variety of

disciplines. The team is tasked with the design and development of a submersible capable of autonomously

navigating in confined spaces at pressures of up to 1500 psi for three hours and then returning to its departure point.

This vehicle is intended for use in the Sanford Lab (aka what is to be DUSEL some day) but is being designed for a

variety of applications including open water exploration with Yellowstone lake, deep ocean exploration, and

possible missions to Europa (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Europa_(moon)). This will be the 3rd

year for the team.

In pervious years the team has created and fabricated two frame designs, two different thruster systems, a

transmit/receiver sonar sounder, battery module controller and a designed for the power distribution system. There

are numerous additional needs yet to be accomplished before basic navigation and operation can begin, some

additional projects are listed below:

• A buoyancy system needs to be developed

• A supervisory power system needs to be designed and implemented – utilizing the existing battery module

controller subsystem

• A battery module enclosure subsystem needs to be designed and implemented

• A force transducer feedback system for thruster control must be designed and manufactured

• Low level thruster control systems must be developed and implemented

• An attitude control system must be developed and implemented

• Sensory systems must be developed and implemented, i.e. the sonar sounder needs to complete testing and

integrated to form a full sonar sub-system, a new UV/IR/visual camera system needs to be designed

• A high pressure water and gas sampling system needs to be designed and implemented

• A transportation and deployment system must be designed and manufactured

• Mission planning, guidance, and navigation algorithms must be designed and put in place

• A GUI interface systems for planning system missions needs to be developed

*Note, not all items listed above needed to be solved during this year’s efforts – the actual

team will focus on items that lien towards their knowledge, interest and talents.



machine design, mechatronics, electronics, and controls

Number of Students/Disciplines required:

This year 1-2 CENG, 1-2 Chem/ChemE, 4-6 EE, 2 IENG, and 4-6 ME are desired – all are welcome.

For more information stop by our lab in EP-335 and contact Dr. Charles Tolle, e-mail: [email protected] or

[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]


13



Project Title: Actuator Array

Proposed/Advised by: M. Bedillion, R. Hoover

Sponsored by: ME Department


An actuator array consists of a planar array of two-degree of freedom actuators that cooperatively

translate and orient objects (e.g., packages) for efficient handling. Each cell of the array consists of an

actuator that approximates a vector force, a microcontroller that communicates with neighboring cells

and controls the actuator, and sensors that detect the presence of an object above the cell. The array uses

a combination of distributed and centralized control, with low level servo commands needed for

cooperation passed from cell to cell, and high level commands broadcast over a centralized

communication network.

Actuator array manipulation has several benefits over traditional manipulation schemes that make it well

suited for parcel handling applications. Planar manipulation is typically achieved either through a

conveyor system with gates for orientation or a robotic manipulator. Conveyor belts can transport many

objects simultaneously and perform simple sorting tasks with gates, but they have limited orientation

capability and cannot reorder objects. Robotic manipulators offer precise manipulation of objects at the

expense of high power consumption and an inability to manipulate multiple objects simultaneously. The

actuator array concept combines the benefits of conveyor belts and traditional manipulators by allowing

the precise, low-power manipulation of multiple objects simultaneously with three degrees-of-freedom.

The goal of this senior design project is to design an actuator array and construct a small number of

functional cells (≥4). Using an existing prototype array as a starting point, the design team will choose

and implement a computer vision system to detect object position and orientation on the array, design

electronics at each cell, including a microcontroller, motor drivers, encoder counters, communication

interface, etc., and develop new actuator mechanisms to generate planar forces.



Dynamics, controls, circuits, mechatronics, computer vision, etc.

Any other special requirements: None.


2-3 CENGs; 1-2 EEs; 2-3 MEs.

14



Project Title:

Multifunctional Helmet

Proposed/Advised by:

Dr. Karim Muci and Mr. Brandon Hinz

Sponsored by:

This senior design project will be part of a research project sponsored by the US ARMY Research

Laboratory (ARL) that involves a close collaboration between the SDSM&T Experimental and

Computational Mechanics Laboratory (ECML) and the SDSM&T Composites and Polymer Engineering

(CAPE) Laboratory.


The purpose of this project is to develop a multifunctional helmet for first responders that has a reasonable

cost and can provide adequate protection to the head in a wide variety of scenarios. The following example

illustrates the need for such a helmet. Currently Search and Rescue (SAR) teams across the nation

commonly use different helmets for the different services that they provide like vertical rescue, swiftwater

rescue, vehicle extrication, and building shoring among others. Besides the inherent costs and logistic

problems of having to deal with several different helmets, few if any of them are designed with

multifunctional capability for situations encountered beyond the mission profile.

Arrangements will be made so that the members of the senior design team have the opportunity to interact

with first responders in the Pennington County area to determine the needs that they have for the product

under consideration.

Project Duration: September 2012 – May 2013

Technical Areas Encompassed:

Product development, manufacturing, solid mechanics, fluid mechanics, and dynamics. The work will

include performing computer simulations, manufacturing of prototypes, and experimental testing.


US Citizenship is required to participate in this project.


2–3 Mechanical Engineering students.

Optional: 1 Metallurgical Engineering student.

15



Project Title:

Upper Extremity Protective Armor for US Ground Troops

Proposed/Advised by:

Dr. Karim Muci and Mr. Brandon Hinz

Sponsored by:

This senior design project will be part of a research project sponsored by the US ARMY Research

Laboratory (ARL).


The body armor currently used by US ground forces has resulted in a reduced number of casualties in the

battlefield due to improved protection of the head and chest. Unfortunately, a Soldier is commonly faced

with treats that can produce severe damage to the extremities and result in their amputation. The goal of

this project is to work on the design of an effective extremity armor that uses existing technologies and has

a reasonable cost. Prototypes of the selected product concept will be manufactured and tested.

Due to the confidentiality requirements associated with this project, very few details can be provided here.

However, interested students can contact Dr. Muci (office CM-171) who can provide more information.

Work related to this research project started in the fall of 2006. A comprehensive list of customer needs is

available as well as an extensive literature search. A small ballistics lab for testing product concepts is

available on campus and basic prototypes of possible concepts have been built and tested with very

promising results. Two high speed monochrome Photron SA1.1 cameras and a color Photron SA4 camera

are often used during ballistic impact testing.

Project Duration: September 2012 – May 2013

Technical Areas Encompassed:

Product development, manufacturing, solid mechanics, fluid mechanics, and dynamics. Extensive

experimental testing will be done. Also, some of the work may require performing computer simulations.


US Citizenship is required to participate in this project.


2–3 highly motivated Mechanical Engineering students.

Optional: 1 highly motivated Metallurgical Engineering and/or Chemical Engineering student.

16



Project Title: Electro-dynamic mechanisms for wave energy converters and wave makers

Proposed/Advised by: U.A. Korde, M.A. Langerman, C.F. Schilling

Sponsored by: ME Department


Water waves concentrate the sun’s energy by two orders of magnitude, can travel long distances and last

a long time. Waves have been seen as a source of ‘clean’ energy for many decades in the worlds of

commercial and academic research and development. Energy conversion from waves usually requires

some form of dynamic mechanical interaction with the waves. This is often achieved by means of a

floating or submerged body oscillating in response to the waves and driving a linear or rotary electric or

hydraulic generator via a suitable power transfer mechanism.

Successful implementation of any such energy conversion scheme depends on rigorous analysis and

model testing. To that end, a wave tank was constructed last year with the ability to reproduce at model

scale the large variety of wave amplitude and directional spectra encountered in large bodies of water

(such as the Great Lakes or the oceans). The design focus of the senior design team this year will be on

the development and testing of electro-dynamic mechanisms that will be used as power take-off devices

for the model-scale wave energy converters to be tested in the wave tank. Larger scale versions will be

used in reverse to drive a bank of wave makers to be installed in the tank. The mechanisms will be

controlled using digital electronics but muse be capable of handling the right amount of power

depending on the application. Demonstrations and systematic testing of at least 2 mechanisms will take

place in the ME wave tank.


Technical Areas Encompassed (e.g., machine design, controls): Dynamics, Fluid mechanics, solid

mechanics, vibrations, controls, circuits, mechatronics, machine tool operation, etc.

Any other special requirements: None.

Number of Students/Disciplines required (e.g., 2 ME, 1 EE, 1 CS): 5/6; MEs, EEs, CENGs, CEs all

welcome.

17



Project Title: purePACK 3.0

Proposed/Advised by: Mr. Jason Ash, Mr. Caine Shagla

Project Sponsor: LABSCI, LLC

Project Duration: 2 Semesters (FALL 2012 – SPRING 2013)


For implementation at the orphanage in Chile for purePack 1.0, the system worked and is continuing to

work perfectly. The field evaluation in Africa of purePack 2.0 clearly demonstrated the portability and

function of system for immediate source remediation. This year we will be addressing a more focused

adjustment to the systems sediment reduction. Current sediment removal is accomplished by a mesh pre-

screen followed by a Doulton ceramic cartridge. The system needs to reduce turbidity of any water

source to a level of 1NTU or less. The tasking of this design project will consist of three primary areas of

focus:

1. Conceptual investigations of fluid dynamics as they relate to particle separation and settling

a. Possible inter-particle dynamics and electron chemistry

2. Mechanical investigations of components necessary to enact the findings of part 1.

3. Finally a physical look at production of these components and incorporation into the current flow

line of purePack system.

With that said, the design requirements for this year’s purePack 3.0 project, are represented by the

following:

Applied investigation of particle behavior and sizing manipulation relevant to given constraints.

a. Multi-stage flow line collection

b. Variant methods of collection material

c. Both turbulent and laminar evaluations with target flow being approx. (.5 Gal/Min)

d. Post collection particle dispersion and or discharge

General deliverable will consist of a detailed CAD recommendation for design of useable system with a

physical production of a bench top apparatus. Other optional deliverables can include:

e. Prototype production of CAD

f. Field evaluation in Africa Summer 2013 attached to an ESA effort.


Fluid Mechanics/Hydrology, Materials Science, among others depending on student background

Any other special requirements: It is recommended that students are a part of Engineers and

Scientists Abroad


Open up to 4 students from the following backgrounds: CE, GEOE, ME, MEM, MET. It is preferable to

have no duplicated backgrounds.

18



Project Title: Concrete Airplane

Proposed/Advised by: Dr. M. R. Hansen and Dr. Lidvin Kjerengtroen

Sponsored by: SDSMT Concrete Airplane Club.


The concrete airplane did taxi last year but needs many improvements before it can fly. A new, larger wing needs to

be cast. Servos need to be installed for all control surfaces in addition to the throttle. The entire design and

configuration needs to be studied and improved. Remote control methods need to be practiced.



Aerodynamics, airplane design and construction, servos, and control systems.


Competition will be at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, during the week of May 6-

10, 2013. Partial funding for travel will be provided by the SDSMT Concrete Airplane Club.


3-4 ME/EE/CENG/CEE students (Ideal would be 2 ME, EE/CENG, 1 CEE)

19



Project Title: Steady State Combustor and Exhaust System for Biofuel Research Studies

Proposed/Advised by: Dr. D. Abata, Dr. B. Simmons

Sponsored by: Externally Funded


The mechanical engineering department is launching an initiative to study the combustion characteristics of

Biofuels. This work will require the development of a steady state combustor and exhaust system. The

combustor and exhaust system must be designed and components specified. Components of this system

will then be purchased and assembled. The system will be tested with an appropriate biofuel such as a

mixture of bio-oil and cellulose. The system will also involve designing, specifying, constructing, and

installing a fuel injector and delivery of the fuel with an appropriate injector. The injector may be

pneumatic where compressed air will be mixed with the biofuel to aid delivery and combustion of the fuel.

Several other university research laboratories around the country have such systems. The work will involve

initially studying these systems as well.

The system should be able to accommodate a ‘can’ type combustor found in the combustion sections of gas

turbines.



machine design, manufacturing, materials, pneumatics, composites


Senior design members are expected to study existing systems, design, specify, purchase, construct the

system, and demonstrate its operation. A user’s manual should also be prepared.


2-3 ME students

20



Project Title: Development of a Grasslands Harvesting Machine

Proposed/Advised by: Dr. D. Abata

Sponsored by: NSF Center for BioEnergy Research and Development


Ethanol based fuel produced from grasslands is a rapidly developing area. This grassland growth is a

hardy stalk-like agricultural product much like poplar, sugar cane, willow or bamboo. There are other

uses as well such as basketry and fence making. A company in Denmark wishes to develop a harvester,

to be carried on an agricultural tractor and powered by the mechanical PTO and hydraulic power output

from the tractor. The idea is to develop a relatively simple harvester from components available on the

market. It should be possible to operate the harvester with one person.

This agricultural growth is planted in rows with a distance of 80 cm (~30 inch) between the rows. The

growth is harvested in full lengths when it is 3 years old. The dimensions of the growth varies from

about 7 meters (~25 ft) high with a diameter at the base (root end) of 5-6 cm (2 inches) down to a height

of 2 meters (~7 ft) with a diameter of 1.5 cm (3/4 inch).

This work will involve collaboration with a design team in Copenhagen under the European Project

Semester (EPS) Program. The Copenhagen team will be given the same (or very similar) assignment.

The academic calendars between SDSMT and Copenhagen are different so the work will probably not be

done together but there will be interaction between teams with teleconferences and videoconferences

(Skype, etc).

The initial step of the project will be to study existing harvesting machines. Then the design of the

harvester will be developed. Detail and assembly drawings with SolidWorks will be necessary. Finally,

there is some possibility of constructing a portion of the harvester such as a frame prototype, cutters or

material handler devices.

A machinist with experience in developing specialist agricultural equipment and the owner of the Danish

company will be available as consultants for the practical part of the project.



machine design, manufacturing, materials, hydraulics, composites, ergonomics



3-4 ME students

21



Project Title: Chemical Fuel Cell

Proposed/Advised by: Ralph Grahek

Sponsored by: Alevtina Smirnova, PhD

Project Background:

Chemical based fuel cells are coming into use and getting usable energy out of them is essential. Dr.

Smirnova would like to demonstrate her fuel cell design with a practical application.


MEs to work with Dr. Smirnova on optimal design of catalyst interface plate. EEs to work on getting

usable DC output for demonstration of fuel cell capability. The goal is to use the power output of the fuel

cell to operate a system (motor, microcontroller, etc.).

Task 1: Single polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEMFCs) manufacturing and testing in O2/Air-H2 gases at

various flow rates and temperatures with expected power density of 0.8W/cm2 at 30oC for the active area

of 6.25 cm2.

Task 2: Design and manufacturing of a PEMFC stack.

Task 3: System design and implementation.

Project Duration: 2 semesters (Fall 2012 – Spring 2013)


EE: DC to DC power conversion, fan/motor operation, microcontrollers, and sensing (electrical circuit

design)

ME: Metal design and fabrication needed to get fuel cell operational.

ChemE: Manufacture membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) using screen printer/decal approach.


Working with microcontrollers, motors, electrical circuits, and fabricating metal are a plus.

Number of Students/Disciplines required (e.g., 1-2 EE/CENG/ChemE):

1-2 EE

1-2 ME

1-2 ChemE

22



Project Title: The Needle in the Haystack (or Prairie)

Proposed/Advised by: Sherry Farwell, Dr. Dolan, and John Nelson

Sponsored by: Sherry Farwell


Former Dean of Graduate Education at SDSM&T, Sherry Farwell, has an interest in mapping routes used

by settlers for western expansion. This involves finding metallic artifacts hidden beneath the pathways that

have been long since been obscured over the past two centuries. John Nelson has been using three metal

detecting systems that are dragged behind an ATV. All three systems are independent and have their own

speaker output. Listening to three speakers simultaneously is tedious although has proven effective in

finding very small artifacts at speeds around 5 mph. The goal of this project is to design and develop one

larger metal detecting system or other scenario that would eliminate the need to listen to three speakers

simultaneously. Increasing the speed and size will help reduce the time required to search the prairie. The

ability to distinguish metal type and discriminate certain materials would also be beneficial.



Machine design, electrical design, coil design,



2 ME, 2 EE, 1 CENG

23



Project Title: PORTABLE POP UP SILHOUETTES

Proposed/Advised by: Tim Johnson, Todd Curtis, Eric East

Sponsored by: Zone Four Engineering, LLC


There are a variety of silhouettes for target shooting on the market today. Most targets drop and have to be

manually set up to shoot them again, meaning you have to stop shooting, clear the area, and go down range

to reset your target. With a portable pop up silhouette the shooter would be able to set the target down

range and remotely reset the target without having to go back down range. This not only improves safety

but also increase the number of rounds that can be shot in a day. There are other systems like this on the

market but they are either very expensive or offered only to military and law enforcement. The design of

the entire system is needed to produce a prototype to test and move into production. The main objectives

of this project are detailed below:

• Design a mechanism to raise a steel plate to a vertical position and allow the steel plate to fall

back after being hit.

• Design a remote system so that the target can be raised quickly by either the shooter or another

person.

• Make the system battery powered.

• Optimize the life of the battery.

• Make the system as light weight and portable as possible.

• Develop a scale-up and commercial production plan.

Student project team members with do a market analysis to identify current products available and design a

unique system that meets the requirements listed as a prototype that can be tested and further developed for

production. The team will need to develop a cost analysis and determine a feasible selling cost for the

system. The system prototype will use animal silhouettes as targets.



machine design, manufacturing, materials, ergonomics, commercialization, controls


2 ME, 2IE, and 2 EE would be desired

24



Project Title: Satellite Attitude Dynamics Simulator

Proposed/Advised by: Drs. Tolle, Bedillion + others potentially

Sponsored by: South Dakota NASA Space Grant / AUV Team

($5K is in place to support implementation)


This project is an offshoot of the South Dakota NASA Space Grant AUV team. If we are to travel to

Europa (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Europa_(moon)) our submersible spacecraft rover will need a

communication link back to earth. This project is to design and build a small satellite simulator so that

future students can work on satellite controllers, star pointing algorithms, communication links, etc.

Several such simulators can be seen in Agrawal and Rasmussen paper entitled: “Air Bearing Based

Satellite Attitude Dynamics Simulator for Control Software Research and Development” available at

http://faculty.nps.edu/agrawal/docs/spie-agrawal-rasmussen.pdf. The main goal in this year’s effort is to

fabricate an air bearing, design a mounting table (similar to a tooling table), design a thruster system and

implement low level thruster electronics.



machine design, mechatronics, and controls


This year 2 ME, 1 CENG, 1 EE are desired, additional students are welcome.

For more information Contact Dr. Charles Tolle, e-mail: [email protected] or visit our lab in EP-

335.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Europa_(moon

http://faculty.nps.edu/agrawal/docs/spie-agrawal-rasmussen.pdf


25



Project Title: Design of Part Fixturing Table and Clamping System for Refill

Friction Stir Spot Welding

Proposed/Advised by: Dr. Widener, Dr. Jasthi, and Todd Curtis

Sponsored by: AMP


The object of the project would be to design 2-ft. extension tables for each side of the Riftec Refill

Friction Stir Spot Welder for the AMP center, and a clamping system for both large parts and test

coupons.

Project Duration:

2 semesters


Refill Friction Stir Spot Welding, machine and structural design, manufacturing


At least 1 student who is currently a researcher from AMP is preferred to help coordinate and lead the

project.


A team consisting of 3 MEs, and 1 Met would be desired.

26



Project Title: AMP Foundry Ventilation, Dust, and Sound Control for Cold Spray

Proposed/Advised by: Dr. Widener, Owen Britton (AMP-GRA), Adam Well (AMP-GRA)

Sponsored by: AMP


The object of the project would be to design a ventilation and dust control system for the maintaining air

quality and additionally sound damping for cold spray systems in the AMP Foundry building. Currently,

the existing air ventilation system is being used, which was not designed for mitigating risks in a cold

spray environment. A thorough study of the environment, available options, and some detailed design

options for enhancing the safety, air quality, and sound pollution from the system is greatly needed.

Project Duration:

2 semesters


Electric power, motors, controls, human factors, sound damping, air ventilation, handling & filtration,

dust collection, environmental disposal, structural design, air quality (O2 content, volatile gas detection,

etc.).


N/A


A team consisting of 1 ME, 1CE, 1 EE, 1 IE, and 1 Met would be desired.

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