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Additive Manufacturing and Characterization of Auxetic Structures
Get PDFAn auxetic structure is an arrangement of unit cells that under a uniaxial load experiences expansion in both the longitudinal and transverse directions, resulting in a negative Poisson’s ratio (NPR). Research in auxetics has led to new insights into how non-linear mechanical reactions can be applied to various engineering fields. This project utilized stereolithography (SLA) 3D printing to manufacture auxetic test specimens to analyze of geometry-driven NPRs. With the distinctive mechanical properties of auxetic structures and vast applications, the future of product development of these geometries seems promising
Exploring Approaches to Engage K-12 Students in Learning Computational Thinking Using Collaborative Robots
Get PDFMinority students are largely underrepresented in the STEM field. The goal for this project was to develop a program which promotes the inclusion of computation skills among students and help them work collaboratively with the use of human – robot interaction. Robots are such a strong tool that can be used to enhance computational thinking and engage students towards a technical field. Through workshops and readings about computational thinking we worked on building a block-based program that introduces the uses of robots as teaching tool for computational thinking
Mechanical Design and Fabrication of Rotating Test Stand for Supersonic Wind Tunnel
Get PDFThis research project focuses on the design and manufacturing of a rotating test stand for the Cal Poly Supersonic Wind Tunnel (SSWT). In order to establish essential design parameters, the project employs compressible flow isentropic relationships to calculate the Mach number within the test section and determine static pressures. This comprehensive effort integrates preliminary design and manufacturing processes, utilizing CAD designs and a range of machinery for component fabrication, while also highlighting initial testing of the rotating test stand\u27s ability to withstand predicted aerodynamic loads. As part of the research\u27s future work, rigorous structural stability testing and the implementation of flow visualization techniques, such as shadowgraph imaging, are planned to validate the design and optimize aerodynamic performance. The project aims to not only advance our understanding of aerodynamics but also offer valuable educational opportunities for undergraduate students
International Relations from Below: Teaching Absences in International Relations
Get PDFFor four years (2017-2022) I was part of a teaching team to teach the subject of International Relations (IR) to second-year Bachelor International Studies students. The course was structured to have twelve lectures; these lectures were to be delivered by the course leaders to an audience of 500-800 students. In addition to the lectures, students had four tutorial classes, where the rest of the teaching team worked with smaller groups of students (12-15 students in each group). These classes were designed to help the students link theories and practices. As a woman of colour teaching IR in a Dutch university, I found myself rather ‘out of place’. IR in itself is a rather white discipline, and is often taught from the position of privilege, and detached from reality. This was also the case for our course. In this paper, I would like to share how I taught IR in my classrooms: making visible my presence as a woman of colour and including myself in the IR picture, making visible where people like me are placed in the subject. From here we then look at the concepts students were expected to understand: where they come from, how they came into existence, who are behind these concepts, whose interests these concepts are serving, and at whose expense. By sharing this experience, I hope to contribute to existing practices of teaching privileged subjects from the position that those subjects were meant to silence/erase
Structural Design, Modeling, And Analysis Of The Wing For A World Speed Record-Breaking Turbo-Prop Racing Airplane
Get PDFThe Cal Poly SLO Turbo-Prop Racer (TP Racer) is a vehicle in development with the goal to break the world record for fastest turbo-prop aircraft measured over a 3-kilometer strip. This thesis presents the structural design, modeling, and analysis of the wing of Cal Poly SLO TP Racer. Methodology behind analyzing the wing is presented through finite element modeling elements and a mesh study. This is followed by development of structure through geometry and laminate estimations. The wing structure estimates and loading conditions are then modeled in FEMAP. Initial estimates are analyzed and reviewed – overbuilt, underbuilt, and incorrectly modeled regions of the structure are corrected. Finally, a refined finite element model is analyzed to present a satisfactory aircraft wing
Analyzing Robustness of an Agent Based Model on Action Potentials in Cardiac Tissue
Get PDFAn agent based model (ABM) is a computational model with ``agents\u27\u27 that interact with each other in an ``environment.\u27\u27 This paper analyzes a particular ABM simulating individual ions in cardiac tissue, with the goal of modelling the strength and consistency of the electrical signals needed for a healthy heartbeat. We build several frameworks based on work by M. A. Yereniuk and S. D. Olson to demonstrate robustness of the original model. We conclude a moderate level of robustness using those frameworks, through a combination of proofs and empirical evidence