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Flipping Unplugged: An Experience Report
No full textThis Research-To-Practice Full Paper discusses the use of the flipped classroom format. Within the CS community, numerous papers discussing the use of flipped classrooms have appeared in recent years. We discuss the use of flipped classroom techniques without requiring the use of modern digital technology. We argue that the principal goals of flipped classrooms do not a priori require such technologies, and that instructors should not feel limited by a lack of access to technology when considering flipped classroom designs. This paper gives an experience report regarding the use of “unplugged” flipped classroom techniques in a computing history and ethics course over the last ten years
MRI: Acquisition of a Fluorescence Microscopy System for Research and Teaching at Kettering University
No full textThis award is to purchase an advanced fluorescence microscopy system for Kettering University. The system will enable high-resolution, three-dimensional imaging of cells on a microscopic scale. These capabilities allow molecules and nanoparticles that have potential for enhancing disease treatments to be tracked relative to various parts of the cell. The system will support interdisciplinary research in studying cellular processes with the goal of improving treatment of cancer and other diseases. The system will provide excellent training opportunities for students to prepare them for graduate school or employment in scientific fields after graduation. The system will also enable science-oriented outreach to women and other underrepresented minorities via pre-college programs and summer research experiences for undergraduates. Furthermore, the instrument will be used to provide professional development for teachers and enhance science education of under-served students in Flint and surrounding areas via field trips to the university and Internet-enabled remote microscopy demonstrations
Examining Thematic Variation in a Phenomenographical Study on Computational Physics
No full textProjects and Practices in Physics (P3) is a transformed, first-year introductory mechanics course offered at Michigan State University. The focus of the course is concept-based group learning implemented through solving analytic problems and computational modeling problems using the VPython programming environment. Interviews with students from P3were conducted to explore the variation of students\u27 perceptions of the utility of solving computational physics problems in the classroom setting. A phenomenographic method is being used to develop categories of student experience with computational physics problems based on themes emerging across the different students\u27 interviews. This paper will focus on exploring the variation within the theme of Computation Helps to Learn Physics that arose from our preliminary analysis of the data from a larger phenomenographic study. When examined on an individual basis, this theme provides important insights into students\u27 perception of the use of computation, such as the way that students can engage with computation as a learning tool in a Physics classroom
A Multiple-Phase-Shift Control for a SiC-Based EV Charger to Optimize the Light-Load Efficiency, Current Stress, and Power Quality
No full textAn ac/dc + dual-active-bridge (DAB) circuit was found as one solution for the high-efficiency and high-power-density electric vehicle charger. One control option is to let ac/dc part only convert the grid voltage to a double-line-frequency folded sine wave, yielding near-zero switching loss of the ac/dc part and leaving the DAB stage to control both power factor and power delivery. Such a zero-to-peak input voltage and wide-range output voltage can obstruct the zero-voltage switching (ZVS) for the DAB stage, which is a must for high-efficiency applications even with SiC devices. While the conventional single-phase shift loses ZVS at light load, and the variable-switching-frequency dual phase shift (DPS) creates the grid-current distortion at the light load, this paper employs multiple-phase-shifts (MPS) control, which essentially is a fixed-switching-frequency triple-phase-shift (TPS) control at light-load conditions and jumping to DPS at medium- and heavy-load conditions. While the TPS control will sacrifice the system efficiency by introducing the circulating current, a multiobjective optimization is employed to optimize the current stress and efficiency simultaneously, using the database of the double-pulse-test result. Experimental results on a SiC-based charger validated the effectiveness of the proposed control algorithm, that is: 1) high efficiency(\u3e97%) at heavy load (7.2 kW); 2) smooth sinusoidal current without bumps at zero-crossing points from the whole-load range; and 3) the smooth transition between the heavy load and light load
A Double-scale, Particle-filtering, Energy State Prediction Algorithm for Lithium-ion Batteries
No full textIn order for the battery management system (BMS) in an electric vehicle to function properly, accurate and robust indication of the energy state of the lithium-ion batteries is necessary. This robustness requires that the energy state can be estimated accurately even when the working conditions of batteries change dramatically. This paper implements battery remaining available energy prediction and state-of-charge (SOC) estimation against testing temperature uncertainties, as well as inaccurate initial SOC values. A double-scale particle filtering method has been developed to estimate or predict the system state and parameters on two different time scales. The developed method considers the slow time-varying characteristics of the battery parameter set and the quick time-varying characteristics of the battery state set. In order to select the preferred battery model, the Akaike information criterion (AIC) is used to make a tradeoff between the model prediction accuracy and complexity. To validate the developed double-scale particle filtering method, two different kinds of lithium-ion batteries were tested at three temperatures. The experimental results show that, with 20% initial SOC deviation, the maximum remaining available energy prediction and SOC estimation errors are both within 2%, even when the wrong temperature is indicated. In this case, the developed double-scale particle filtering method is expected to be robust in practice
A Multi-view DIC Approach to Extract Operating Mode Shapes of Structures
No full textAccelerometers have been conventionally used to measure the response of structures for modal analysis. These pointwise sensors only provide information at a few discrete locations being measured. Additionally, the use of accelerometers to capture the response at discrete locations can mass-load the structure. Thus, the obtained results may not predict the true dynamics of the structure. Stereo-photogrammetry and Three-Dimensional Digital Image Correlation (3D DIC) have recently been adopted to collect operating data for vibration analysis. These non-contact optical techniques provide a wealth of distributed data over the entire structure. One of the limitations of a stereo-camera system is its line of sight, which limits the field of view; a single pair of DIC cameras may not be able to provide deformation data for the entire structure. Several pairs of cameras may be coupled simultaneously to perform DIC measurement on large complex structures. However, the use of multiple cameras involves huge costs and may not be a viable choice. In this paper, a multi-view 3D DIC approach is used to predict the dynamic characteristics of a cantilever beam as a sample structure. A pair of DIC cameras is roved over the entire structure to capture the deformation data of each field of view. Each measured data includes the geometry and displacement data which is later mapped into a universal coordinate system. The measured data is stitched in the frequency domain to extract the operating shapes of the entire structure
Strain Expansion-reduction Approach
No full textValidating numerical models are one of the main aspects of engineering design. However, correlating million degrees of freedom of numerical models to the few degrees of freedom of test models is challenging. Reduction/expansion approaches have been traditionally used to match these degrees of freedom. However, the conventional reduction/expansion approaches are only limited to displacement, velocity or acceleration data. While in many cases only strain data are accessible (e.g. when a structure is monitored using strain-gages), the conventional approaches are not capable of expanding strain data. To bridge this gap, the current paper outlines a reduction/expansion technique to reduce/expand strain data. In the proposed approach, strain mode shapes of a structure are extracted using the finite element method or the digital image correlation technique. The strain mode shapes are used to generate a transformation matrix that can expand the limited set of measurement data. The proposed approach can be used to correlate experimental and analytical strain data. Furthermore, the proposed technique can be used to expand real-time operating data for structural health monitoring (SHM). In order to verify the accuracy of the approach, the proposed technique was used to expand the limited set of real-time operating data in a numerical model of a cantilever beam subjected to various types of excitations. The proposed technique was also applied to expand real-time operating data measured using a few strain gages mounted to an aluminum beam. It was shown that the proposed approach can effectively expand the strain data at limited locations to accurately predict the strain at locations where no sensors were placed
Implementation of an Innovation and Entrepreneur Mindset Concept into Mechanics of Materials Course
No full textMechanics of Materials is a fundamental course which mechanical engineering students need to take to fulfill the requirements of their program. Usually, the course is offered based on the traditional textbook approach. The material in the textbook is presented in the class and students are required to work on problems in the textbook as part of the course assignment. As instructors of this course, the authors have observed that many students are not successful in the course because they do not appreciate the real-world applications of the course. Many students believe concepts in this course are over-simplified and may not have real-world applications. As part of a Kern Entrepreneurship Education Network (KEEN) project, we propose using a real-world structure (wind turbine) to show the applications of the theory in this course. In this project, students need to use concepts they have learned in the Mechanics of Materials course to analyze a utility-scale wind turbine. Students also learn how to integrate and use their engineering knowledge from other subjects such as physics, CAD, statics, electrical engineering, and fluid mechanics to solve real-world problems. This is an open-ended problem and challenges the students to search and use innovative ideas to optimize the designs. The final part of the project asks students to calculate how the optimized design of the structure can economically impact the overall cost of the wind turbine. The results of a survey taken from the students in this course show that students appreciate the concept materials better when they see the real-world application of the subject
Redesigned Application-oriented Integral Calculus Curriculum
No full textThis paper presents the development of application based curriculum for Integral Calculus course, a project funded by KEEN Foundation. Textbook examples are frequently disconnected from students’ immediate environment or use past data of little interest. In addition, information given on the subject is at most sketchy and the practical purpose of solving these examples is not clear. This lack of vivid applications in calculus courses motivated us to develop content that can be used by instructors to enhance students’ learning experience by engaging them directly in solving problems and applying attained skills to real life situations relevant to students’ environment. The main focus of this work is to make the integral calculus course current, engaging, and relevant for students. The objective is to create a learning environment where calculus comes to life through real world examples, real and relevant data, and through the use of physical objects. We do not adopt the Project Based Learning approach however, but rather supplement the traditional lecture with motivating examples and multiple projects. Our pedagogical approach includes curriculum enhancement, deep learning, student engagement and entrepreneurship. We provide examples and projects which have the potential to capture students’ attention and will be useful in other courses in mathematics, science, and engineering. This approach is intended to spark curiosity in students, demonstrate usefulness of the theory they study, and to answer the question “Where am I going to use this?” We divided the curriculum into three fundamental modules: (1) Integration of basic functions resulting from mathematical models and from observed data; (2) Advanced applications of integration; (3) Applications of infinite sequences and series. The proposed course learning outcomes (CLOs) are linked to KEEN Student Outcomes, particularly those that are measurable. Assessment will include student surveys, retention, grades, achievement of CLO’s, and quality of students’ projects. In order to keep the balance between mathematical rigor and engineering and science relevance, the team was designed to consist of engineering and mathematics faculty. Similar developments are conducted in single variable differential calculus and multivariate calculus to create a consistent approach in the entire calculus sequence. All motivating examples and mini projects for the entire calculus sequence will be made available on line
Kettering University Mid-Cycle Review Standard Pathway Action Letter 02-23-18
No full textOfficial Action Letter from HLC to Kettering indicating the following interim monitoring:
Focused Visit due 1/31/2020 on faculty workload policy.
Interim Report due 7/2/201