Anderson University
School of Science and Engineering
Current Students
Joshua Ewing
Joshua is a Mechanical Engineering major. This project was originally assigned during the Freshman, Introduction to Engineering
course. Josh took this project to a new level with sub-second accuracy over a 10 minute time interval.
Abstract: According to Wikipedia, a water clock, or clepsydra, is any timepiece in which time is measured by the regulated
flow of liquid into or out from a vessel where the amount is then measured. It is demonstrated that an accurate measurement of time
time is achieved by the use of a water clock. This device uses gravity to draw water from an elevated reservoir through a regulated
valve into a graduated cylinder. The volumetric flow rate is held constant by the use of this regulated valve. The graduated
cylinder is then used to measure the volume of water that is dispensed during a given time interval. For this specific assignment,
three (3) time intervals are investigated. The first is a “short” time interval of 10 to 30 seconds. Next is a “medium” time
interval of 1 to 4 minutes. The final, “extended” time interval is 5 to 10 minutes. Due to the assignment specifications, it is
desirable to use three (3) different graduated cylinders to maintain consistency in accuracy. By placing the smaller cylinders
inside the larger ones, this eliminates a parts change during operation; thus, providing a continuous procedure for all measurements.
It will be shown that this device is accurate to less than 1 second over all three-time intervals.
AU Scholars'
Day Poster Presentation
Past Students
Mitchell Fulton
Mitchell graduated in 2017 with majors in Physics, Mathematics, and Mechanical Engineering. After graduation he was accepted in
a graduate program for Biomedical Engineering in Colorado. Mitch's topic for his Senior Assignment in Physics was "Solar Car
Suspension Design and Analysis."
Abstract: A suspension design was considered for the Anderson University Engineering Club’s solar car. Through considering
many factors such as size, customizability, and performance, a double wishbone suspension was selected. After selecting this kind
of suspension, the spring constant and damping coefficient needed to be determined. To do this, the suspension system was modeled
numerically. Using this numerical method, the spring and damping coefficients were selected that best suited the needs of the
solar car.
Mitch's topic for his Senior Assignment in Mechanical Engineering was a joint effort between Anderson University and Vanderbilt
University titled "Using Machine Learning to Predict Heat Propagation During Bone Drilling."
Abstract: Using a minimally invasive robotic technique has the potential to greatly improve the cochlear implantation process.
However, in previous clinical trials heat generation from a drilling procedure has caused damage to the patient. A patient-specific
model to describe heat generation was desired to improve patient safety. Machine learning was explored as an option to model the heat
generation of the drilling procedure. A simple model was prepared then future plans were laid out to account for patient-specific
features.
Michael Horner
Michael graduated in 2013 with a major in Chemistry. His topic of choice for his Senior Assignment was "Airfoil Geometries and
Interaction by the Panel Method."
Abstract: Aerodynamics is a growing industry in which many facets are still being developed. In order to advance aerodynamic
designs, more research is needed specifically in the area of airfoils. An airfoil is a two-dimensional cross section of a wing
shape. These shapes are found across a wide range of applications including wings, turbines, helicopter rotors, and hydrofoils.
The flow over an airfoil can be infinitely complex, however, starting at the simplest case, information can be extracted to better
understand how these shapes will perform at higher free-stream velocities. Inviscid, incompressible flow can be modeled using the
panel method. This is accomplished by separating the surface of an airfoil into infinitesimally small panels and adding up their
contributions to the flow at each point. This has proven to be an accurate model for predicting the flow, and consequently the lift,
of airfoils at low-speed velocities. Using this method, a computer application will be developed that calculates and displays the
coefficient of pressure across the surface of any given airfoil.
Computational Projects
This is a short blurb that pertains to my academic interests. I put these here merely to make others aware that these projects exist. Far too often, the annals of open source efforts are shadowed by commercial publications. In general, I completely disagree with the notion of proprietary software. Hiding source code (or anything else, for that matter) is (in my opinion) generally a sign of fear. Maybe this is a fear of competition, fear of judgment, fear of criticism, or something else. Either way, information--e.g., data, methods, models, algorithms, etc.--should be freely available and open to anyone interested in obtaining it. This idea (free speech, open inquiry, accessible information, whatever you wish to refer to it as) is what has built the entire foundation of, what we call, science! Anyway, here is a (in no way, exhaustive) list of some available software that I have been directed to. These are listed alphabetically by titles.
