41530 research outputs found
Sort by
Solid Thermal Storage as an Energy Storage Device in Insulated Solar Electric Cookers: Thermal Modeling and Experiment
Get PDFThe use of solid thermal storage (STS) as an energy storage device in insulated solar electric cookers (ISEC) was explored using a thermal simulation before retrofitting an existing cooker without energy storage and testing it under several conditions. STS sizing, material selection, and geometry were examined from both theoretical and practical perspectives and re-examined following experimental results. Characterization of the system’s thermal interfaces and methods to improve their thermal conductivities were investigated resulting in several performance enhancements to the system
Wire Cutting Saw for Spinal Fusion Surgery
Get PDFThe purpose of this project was to design and prototype a spinal facetectomy tool which will minimize the risk of spinal nerve damage and standardize this procedure for all surgeons. This Final Report for Alphatec describes the scope of the project, the process to get to the final prototype of the device, along with a project timeline for the team. A background of current devices and their issues is included to illustrate the need for a new spinal facetectomy device. Within the scope of the project includes a list of customer requirements for the device and the process of translating these requirements into quantifiable engineering specifications. Once customer requirements and specifications were identified, a morphology was created to identify key functions of the device and possible concepts to fulfill each. Three concepts were compared against a baseline criterion. A design was chosen, and a conceptual model of the device was created using SolidWorks software and a model of the lumbar region of the spine. Failure modes of the device design were identified, and the total risk of each potential was quantified. A detailed design section describes the final concept and has information about the material, cost, and dimensions of the device, along with a new conceptual model. Sections for manufacturing and device tests are included. Instructions for manufacturing the final device have been laid out and tests for each of the engineering specifications have been explained. Test data have been recorded and analyzed with key quantitative results including passing the endurance limit and tensile strength tests by having infinite life with an endurance stress of 102.1MPa and a tensile strength of 361.3MPa with no deformation before an applied 5lbf. A target factor of safety of 3 was passed with an actual factor of safety of 3. Instructions for use have been written in detail for the use of the tool
Increasing Strength of Plywood Shear Walls
Get PDFIn a recent iteration of an upper-division engineering design lab course at Cal Poly SLO, students were challenged to identify and understand the probable failure mechanism of conventionally built plywood shear walls and hypothesize how they could delay or prevent common failure mechanisms to increase the overall lateral load capacity. After observing the results of a test on a conventional, code specified wall, a solution to integrate metal gauge strapping into edge nailing was developed to address the common failure mechanisms of nail head pull through and panel edge tear out. A shear wall with metal strapping installed between the nails and plywood face at panel edges was designed, built, and tested to investigate the outcomes of this solution. The results of “Mega Wall 1” testing warranted further investigation and a similar, more robust system, “Mega Wall 2” was designed, built, and tested. The results of both tests show metal gauge strapping increases the ultimate capacity and stiffness of solid timber shear walls. The results of these tests are promising, and future areas of inquiry are discussed. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 2019198. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation
Bad Sex Ed: First-Day Icebreaker for Classes on Sex and Sexuality
Get PDFThe author describes a short teaching activity meant to precede the introduction of assigned course material that includes sexually explicit materials. Students are questioned about their experience with sex ed in their K-12 schooling in order to demonstrate the paucity of vocabulary, evidence-based information and even comfort level that most adults have with this material
Feminism, Interrupted? A review of Lola Olufemi\u27s feminist primer
Get PDFThis book review discusses Lola Olufemi\u27s recent book, Feminism, Interrupted (2020), and how its project to promote an action-oriented, Marxist, intersectional feminism in contrast to a mainstream white feminism steeped in neoliberal thought might integrate within courses in women\u27s and gender studies
Feder, S. (Director). (2020). Disclosure: Trans Lives on Screen [Film]. Netflix.
Get PDFSam Feder’s documentary Disclosure: Trans Lives on Screen (2020) braids together an overview of trans cinema through the voices of transgender actors, alongside clips from classic and current cinema, and commentary from trans academics. Featuring commentary from an impressive array of voices, including actress Laverne Cox and historian Susan Stryker, the film offers a variety of perspectives on film and representation. Beginning with an impressive timeline of trans representation from the earliest representations of gender crossing in silent movies and ending upon the debut of Pose, in which trans people represent themselves, this Netflix Original offers a comprehensive visual history of trans representation and visibility for introductory classes on gender and sexuality studies, classes on the history of film, and classes which consider the history of LGBTQIA+ activism in the United States. Disclosure introduces topics such as stereotyping, racism, transphobia, homophobia, and transmisogyny within the context of popular culture. Throughout this review, I will consider multiple scenes from the film which may offer particularly rich avenues for discussion, including gazing and visibility, its discussion of trans lives on film from the dawn of cinema to the current moment, as well as the ways in which Disclosure provides a critique of visibility as the only path to trans liberation
Baker/Koob Final Report: Solar Solution for Mini Mars Rover
Get PDFThis project focused on designing, building, and testing a functional prototype of a collapsible solar array on the mini Mars rover being developed by client and sponsor, Mr. Rich Murray. Although many previous collapsible solar arrays have been deployed for space missions, the previous solar-powered Mars rovers only deployed their arrays once upon landing. This solar array will be able to collapse and deploy multiple times to allow for greater rover mobility and stability when the rover is not charging. This system is critical to the success of the rover project because it provides power without which the rover cannot take measurements, collect samples, or move on the Martian surface.
This report outlines the major accomplishments of the project, how the funds from the Baker/Koob Endowment were used to meet the project goals, and the conclusions from the team reflecting on the project’s impact to each member’s learning and career development. For a detailed description of the design process, see the project’s Final Design Report, found on the Cal Poly Digital Commons under the title ‘Solar Solution for Mini-Rover’
