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	<title>WKU Engineering NewStories</title>
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		<title>New Challenges Ahead, Recent Grads Share the Memories</title>
		<link>http://wku.edu/Dept/Academic/Ogden/Engineering/news/on-to-new-challenges-recent-grads-share-the-memories/</link>
		<comments>http://wku.edu/Dept/Academic/Ogden/Engineering/news/on-to-new-challenges-recent-grads-share-the-memories/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 20 May 2011 07:00:46 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>mkp</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Stories]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://wku.edu/engineering/?p=369731</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p>Sleepless nights. The entropy walk. Reverse Engineering. Design  competitions. Internships. Orange Sheer Stress Pool Noodle.  Thermodynamics I. “It matters not.” Prius conversion. With a mix of  future plans including employment and graduate school, the Engineering  class of 2011 share some of their favorite moments.</p>
]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Sleepless nights. The entropy walk. Reverse Engineering. Design competitions. Internships. Orange Sheer Stress Pool Noodle. Thermodynamics I. “It matters not.” Prius conversion. With a mix of future plans including employment and graduate school, the Engineering class of 2011 share some of their favorite moments.</p>
<p><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-369838   alignleft" title="Simpson_Michael2" src="http://wku.edu/Dept/Academic/Ogden/Engineering/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Simpson_Michael2-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /> <img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-369831 alignnone" title="Dickinson_Ryan" src="http://wku.edu/Dept/Academic/Ogden/Engineering/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Dickinson_Ryan-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /> <img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-369837 alignnone" title="Young_Maega" src="http://wku.edu/Dept/Academic/Ogden/Engineering/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Young_Maega-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></p>
<p><a name="Students"><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>Students</strong></span></a><br />
<a href="#Zachary Miller, Civil ">Zachary Miller, Civil </a><br />
<a href="#Ryan Dickinson, Mechanical ">Ryan Dickinson, Mechanical<!-- a--><br />
</a><a href="#Theodore Heeke, Mechanical ">Theodore Heeke, Mechanical </a><br />
<a href="#Maegan Young, Electrical">Maegan Young, Electrical</a><br />
<a href="#Ryan McPeak, Mechanical ">Ryan McPeak, Mechanical </a><br />
<a href="#Michael Simpson, Mechanical ">Michael Simpson, Mechanical </a><br />
<a href="#Michael Gershenson, Civil ">Michael Gershenson, Civil </a><br />
<a href="#Chrissi Myatt, Mechanical ">Chrissi Myatt, Mechanical </a><br />
<a href="#Jason Selby, Mechanical ">Jason Selby, Mechanical </a><br />
<a href="#Joshua Stover, Electrical ">Joshua Stover, Electrical </a><br />
<a href="#Adam Horneck, Mechanical ">Adam Horneck, Mechanical </a><br />
<a href="#Daniel Mancinelli, Mechanical">Daniel Mancinelli, Mechanical</a></p>
<p>——————————————————————————————————————</p>
<p><a name="Zachary Miller, Civil"><strong><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-369834" title="Miller_Zachary" src="http://wku.edu/Dept/Academic/Ogden/Engineering/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Miller_Zachary.jpg" alt="" width="114" height="392" /></strong><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>Zachary Miller, Civil</strong></span></a><br />
<strong>From:</strong> Glasgow, Kentucky<strong><br />
</strong><strong><strong>Favorite Instructor:</strong></strong> Dettman/Palmquist/Campbell<strong><br />
<strong>Favorite Class Project:</strong></strong> EPD (Egg Protection Device)<strong><br />
<strong>Favorite Out-of-Class Project:</strong></strong> Steel Bridge Competition<strong> </strong><strong><br />
<strong>Favorite Class:</strong></strong> Foundation Engineering (CE 412)<strong><br />
<strong>Internship:</strong></strong> I worked with S.E. Engineering as a site manager for the<br />
PFT dorm renovation starting in the summer of 2008. After that<br />
project was complete, I began working as an office assistant,<br />
processing their paperwork, and as a draftsman.<strong><br />
<strong>Memories:</strong></strong> My favorite memories are from the ASCE Regional<br />
Competition in Lexington, KY in 2010 and in Akron, OH in 2011.<strong><br />
</strong><strong><strong>Future Plans:</strong></strong> I am currently deciding between graduate school at the<br />
University of Kentucky and accepting a job with S.E. Engineering in<br />
Bowling Green, KY.<br />
<a href="#Students">Return to Students</a></p>
<p><a name="Ryan Dickinson, Mechanical"><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>Ryan Dickinson, Mechanical</strong></span></a><br />
<strong>From:</strong> Danville, Kentucky<strong><br />
</strong><strong><strong>Favorite Instructor:</strong></strong> Professor Robert Choate<strong><br />
<strong>Favorite Class Project:</strong></strong> Reverse Engineering Projects and Photography that Professor Joel Lenoir is teaching as a technical elective.<strong><br />
<strong>Favorite Out-of-Class Project:</strong></strong> Enjoying the free time when I’m not studying, usually going to the shooting range.<strong><br />
<strong>Favorite Class:</strong></strong> Reverse Engineering Course<strong><br />
<strong>Internship:</strong></strong> I had great opportunity to intern at the Department of Defense (Pentagon) working with Washington Headquarter Services on a $1.2 billion project.<strong><br />
<strong>Memories:</strong></strong> Working on projects, studying, and doing home work with all my close friends.<br />
“Do you have any more questions Mr. Dickinson?”<strong><br />
<strong>Future Plans:</strong></strong> My future plans are to seek employment with a prestigious company and to learn the ropes of becoming a professional engineer. I hope to one day possibly own my own firearm company as well.<br />
<a href="#Students">Return to Students</a></p>
<p><a name="Theodore Heeke, Mechanical"><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>Theodore Heeke, Mechanical</strong></span></a><br />
<strong>From: </strong>Dubois, Indiana<strong><br />
<strong>Favorite Instructor: </strong></strong>Doctor Byrne<strong><br />
<strong>Favorite Class Project: </strong></strong>Wobbler Efficiency Test Bed<strong><br />
<strong>Favorite Class: </strong></strong>Thermodynamics 1<strong><br />
<strong>Internship:</strong></strong> I worked in an internship at the General Motors Bowling Green Assembly Plant. In my role there I worked in the Industrial Engineering Department<strong><br />
<strong>Memories: </strong></strong>Only memories are studying and working late on projects<strong><br />
<strong>Future Plans:</strong></strong> I will be moving to Columbus, Indiana to work for Cummins Inc. as a LDD Tailoring Engineer.<br />
<a href="#Students">Return to Students</a></p>
<p><a name="Maegan Young, Electrical"><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>Maegan Young, Electrical</strong></span></a><br />
<strong>From:</strong> Scottsville, Kentucky<strong><br />
<strong>Favorite Instructor: </strong></strong>Each of my engineering professors had a great impact on my education.<strong><br />
<strong>Favorite Class Project: </strong></strong>Prius conversion<strong><br />
<strong>Favorite Class: </strong></strong>Senior Design<strong><br />
<strong>Internship:</strong></strong> I interned with three different business over the past four years. Young’s Electric HVAC was the first internship. I was in charge of paperwork for the most part but did observe daily the “ins and outs” of operating a business. At HeathCo LLC I was responsible for product functionality testing. My last internship at Tri-County Electric (the local power provider for my hometown) consisted mostly of staking power lines. There was also some work in a sub-station and organization/filing of documents.<strong><br />
<strong>Memories: </strong></strong>There are really just inside jokes that shouldn’t be shared<strong>.</strong><strong><br />
<strong>Future Plans:</strong></strong> I will graduate Summa Cum Laude in May and plan to obtain a job, hopefully in the field of power. In a few years I would like to return to school to obtain my masters. Long term, I look to become a PE (professional engineer) and be self employed. I enjoy living in a rural town and plan to spend the rest of my life in Scottsville. I have many hobbies including barrel racing, spending time on Barren River Lake, and playing sports. I’m a member of Scottsville Baptist Church where I sing in the choir.<br />
<a href="#Students">Return to Students</a></p>
<p><a name="Ryan McPeak, Mechanical"><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>Ryan McPeak, Mechanical</strong></span></a></p>
<p><strong>From:</strong> Memphis, TN<strong><br />
</strong><strong><strong>Favorite Instructor: </strong></strong>My favorite professor in the mechanical engineering department is Robert Choate. Although notorious for high expectations, he pushes students to do their best.<strong><br />
<strong>Favorite Class Project: </strong></strong>My favorite class project would have to be my senior project that we are still currently working on. We are developing an automated drilling system for GM to use at the Corvette Plant.<strong><br />
</strong><img class="size-medium wp-image-369977 alignright" title="McPeak1" src="http://wku.edu/Dept/Academic/Ogden/Engineering/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/McPeak1-300x179.jpg" alt="" width="270" height="161" /><strong><strong>Favorite Out-of-Class Project: </strong></strong>My favorite out-of-class project was research I did for an idea I submitted into the WKU Sustainability Contest. I proposed replacing the diesel shuttle buses on campus with battery-powered buses that were recharged by solar panels. The project included many energy-based calculations and was very enjoyable, especially because I won. <strong><br />
<strong>Favorite Class: </strong></strong>Thermodynamics (I and II) were my favorite subjects.<strong><br />
<strong>Internship:</strong></strong> At the beginning of my senior year I started a mechanical engineering internship at Buckman Jet Drilling, a local Research and Development company that designs and tests tools for the oil and gas industry.<strong><br />
<strong>Memories: </strong></strong>My favorite memory is our trip to St. Louis my junior year to compete in the ASME Competition. We built machines that sorted recycled material according to composition (glass w/ glass, aluminum w/ aluminum, etc.) and it was the best time I’ve had with all my classmates, and everyone associated with the program. That trip brought everyone closer, and was a great launching point into our senior year.<strong><br />
<strong>Future Plans:</strong></strong> I am fluent in Spanish, and a Spanish major at WKU. After graduation it is my goal to land an engineering position with an American company that has operations in Mexico.<br />
<a href="#Students">Return to Students</a></p>
<p><a name="Michael Simpson, Mechanical"><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>Michael Simpson, Mechanical</strong></span></a><br />
<strong>From:</strong> Elizabethtown, KY<strong><br />
<strong>Favorite Instructor: </strong></strong>Dr. Harper<strong><br />
<strong>Favorite Class Project: </strong></strong>Logan Aluminum Crane Awareness Barrier<strong><br />
<strong>Favorite Out-of-Class Project: </strong></strong>Legend of Gabe: Mystical Seed of Courage (on Youtube)<strong><br />
<strong>Favorite Class: </strong></strong>Fluid Mechanics, Electromagnetism <strong><br />
<strong>Internship:</strong></strong> I interned with Halton in Scottsville, KY during the end of my senior year via the Applied Physics Institute. I dealt with fluid mechanics and sensors in exhaust hoods.<strong><br />
<strong>Memories: </strong></strong>“Don’t be paralyzed!”<br />
The Entropy Walk<br />
Dr. Byrne’s Orange Sheer Stress Pool Noodle waved in my face.<strong><br />
<strong>Future Plans: </strong></strong>I currently have a job with Halton in Scottsville, KY. I plan to work with them to gain experience in fluid flows and sensors, then continue on with a Master’s or Doctorate’s Degree.<br />
<a href="#Students">Return to Students</a></p>
<p><a name="Michael Gershenson, Civil"><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>Michael Gershenson, Civil</strong></span></a><br />
<strong>From:</strong> Saint Louis, MO<strong><br />
<strong>Favorite Instructor: </strong></strong>Matt Dettman<strong><br />
<strong>Favorite Class Project: </strong></strong>Construction Materials EPD<strong><br />
<strong>Favorite Class: </strong></strong>Construction Management<strong><br />
<strong>Future Plans:</strong></strong> I plan to work as project manager at Gershenson Construction Co. and to become a P.E.<br />
<a href="#Students">Return to Students</a></p>
<p><a name="Chrissi Myatt, Mechanical"><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>Chrissi Myatt, Mechanical</strong></span></a><br />
<strong><a href="http://wku.edu/Dept/Academic/Ogden/Engineering/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Myatt_Chrissi.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-369835 alignright" title="Myatt_Chrissi" src="http://wku.edu/Dept/Academic/Ogden/Engineering/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Myatt_Chrissi.jpg" alt="" width="149" height="236" /></a>From:</strong> Bowling Green, KY<strong><br />
<strong>Favorite Instructor: </strong></strong>Bob Choate<strong><br />
<strong>Favorite Class Project: </strong></strong>SCA Tucker Analysis and Redesign<strong><br />
<strong>Favorite Out-of-Class Project: </strong></strong>Girl Scouts Troop# 1067<strong><br />
<strong>Favorite Class: </strong></strong>Reliability Engineering<strong><br />
<strong>Internship:</strong></strong> I worked in the Engineering Prototype Facility for two and half years, and interned at Daicel in Beaver Dam during Senior Year. At Daicel, I worked extensively with product validation and quality control gaining valuable manufacturing experience and involvement with industrial clients.<strong><br />
<strong>Memories: </strong></strong>“It matters not.” –Bob Choate<strong><br />
<strong>Future Plans:</strong></strong> Completing the program, raising two kids, and working two jobs has been a challenge. It would have been impossible if it weren’t for my very involved husband. It has been worth every moment, though. I value my time at Western and look back on nothing but good memories. I am currently exploring a few opportunities for full-time employment. I am also beginning the distance program with Georgia Tech in the fall to complete my Masters of Science in Mechanical Engineering.<br />
<a href="#Students">Return to Students</a></p>
<p><a name="Jason Selby, Mechanical"><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>Jason Selby, Mechanical</strong></span></a><br />
<strong>From:</strong> Shepherdsville, Kentucky<strong><br />
<strong>Favorite Instructor: </strong></strong>Joel Lenoir<strong><br />
<strong>Favorite Class Project: </strong></strong>General Motors Drill Project<strong><br />
<strong>Favorite Out-of-Class Project: </strong></strong>Designing a display board for the ROTC Department<strong><br />
<strong>Favorite Class: </strong></strong>Reverse Engineering &amp; High Speed Photography<strong><br />
<strong>Internship:</strong></strong> I interned with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers the past two summers. While employed I shadowed various engineers, mainly mechanical, inspecting the workmanship/quality of contractors work. These inspections were to ensure that the U.S. Government was receiving the quality they paid for.<strong><br />
<strong>Memories: </strong></strong>The 2010 ASME Student Design Competition is St. Louis MO.<br />
The entropy walk.<br />
“It matters not” -Prof. Choate<strong><br />
<strong>Future Plans:</strong></strong> Along with graduation this May I Commission into the U.S. Army as a Second Lieutenant on Active Duty. Following graduation I’m attending the Engineer Officer Basic Course at Ft. Lenorwood Missouri and then off to my first duty station in Germany.<br />
<a href="#Students">Return to Students</a></p>
<p><a name="Joshua Stover, Electrical"><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>Joshua Stover, Electrical</strong></span></a><br />
<strong>From:</strong> Muhlenberg County Kentucky<strong><br />
<strong>Favorite Instructor: </strong></strong>I’ve had no single favorite instructor at my stay at WKU but have enjoyed learning from the entire faculty.<strong><br />
<strong>Favorite Class Project: </strong></strong>Although stressful and time consuming, has been my senior project for Heath Co.<strong><br />
<strong>Favorite Out-of-Class Project: </strong></strong>The recent IEEE Southeast Con. robot competition in Nashville.<strong><br />
<strong>Favorite Class: </strong></strong>Intro to Power course<strong><br />
<strong>Internship:</strong></strong> I interned with TVA over two summers and a winter course.<strong><br />
<strong>Memories: </strong></strong>Some of my best memories here at western would have to be some of the more stressful (i.e. finals, projects, late night studying, etc.)… surprisingly. It was at these times everyone was suffering but found time to help and laugh together to get through.<strong><br />
<strong>Future Plans:</strong></strong> I hope to work for TVA upon graduating but if not TVA I see myself getting a job within the power realm of electrical engineering.<br />
<a href="#Students">Return to Students</a></p>
<p><a name="Adam Horneck, Mechanical"><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>Adam Horneck, Mechanical</strong></span></a><br />
<strong>From:</strong> Glasgow, KY<strong><br />
<strong>Favorite Instructor: </strong></strong>Professor Choate<strong><br />
<strong>Favorite Class Project: </strong></strong>ME300 ASME Autonomous Trash Sorter<strong><br />
<strong>Favorite Class: </strong></strong>Strength of Materials<strong><br />
<strong>Internship:</strong></strong> While attending WKU I have been a full-time engineering employee for Midmark Corporation in Glasgow that produces dental cabinetry at that facility. They are a global company with locations all around the work and produce various items for the Medical, Dental and Animal Healthcare industries.<strong><br />
<strong>Memories: </strong></strong>“It matters not” — Professor Choate<strong><br />
<strong>Future Plans:</strong></strong> It has been a long 5 years with a lot of nights without sleep, stressed to the max, but now that the light is visible at the end of the tunnel, I am beginning to feel a little relief. My plan after I graduate is to take three weeks off and take a trip around the world in June stopping in Japan, China, Germany, France, Italy, and Greece. When I get back I will pick up where I left off with my job as a New Product Deveopment (NPD) Design Engineer at Midmark Corporation in Glasgow.<br />
<a href="#Students">Return to Students</a></p>
<p><a name="Daniel Mancinelli, Mechanical"><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>Daniel Mancinelli, Mechanical</strong></span></a><br />
<strong>From:</strong> Roswell, GA, a suburb or Atlanta<img class="size-full wp-image-369981 alignright" title="Mancinelli_ Daniel" src="http://wku.edu/Dept/Academic/Ogden/Engineering/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Mancinelli_-Daniel.png" alt="" width="220" height="124" /><br />
<strong> <strong>Favorite Instructor: </strong></strong>Professor Lenoir<strong><br />
</strong><strong><strong>Favorite Class Project: </strong></strong>SAE Mini Baja<br />
<strong> <strong>Favorite Out-of-Class Project: </strong></strong>The time I’m not working on Baja, I enjoy taking scraps and making custom parts for my ninja. <strong><br />
<strong>Favorite Class: </strong></strong>Reverse Engineering<strong><br />
</strong><strong><strong>Memories: </strong></strong>When Professor Byrne catches someone sleeping at the end of class and he makes all the students leave slowly and turns the light off and the victim wakes up at the beginning of the next class to use that particular room. Just about any of Professor Lenoir’s life’s stories are entertaining. Watching Professor Choate do his entropy walk.<strong><br />
<strong>Future Plans:</strong></strong> I am actively looking for jobs, and now that Baja is finally over I have dedicated more time to job search and I am finally getting some responses.<br />
<a href="#Students">Return to Students</a></p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>38 students graduate in Spring 2011</title>
		<link>http://wku.edu/Dept/Academic/Ogden/Engineering/news/38-students-graduate-in-spring-2011/</link>
		<comments>http://wku.edu/Dept/Academic/Ogden/Engineering/news/38-students-graduate-in-spring-2011/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 19 May 2011 20:18:09 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>mkp</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Stories]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://wku.edu/engineering/?p=369721</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p>On May 14, 2011, 38 students walked across Diddle Arena and proudly  received their degrees in Engineering. Congratulations to all of the  2011 Engineering Graduates!</p>
]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>On May 14, 2011, 38 students walked across Diddle Arena and proudly received their degrees in Engineering.</p>
<p>Congratulations to all of the 2011 Engineering Graduates!</p>
<p><strong>Civil Engineering </strong></p>
<ul>
<li> Daniel Douglas</li>
<li> Allison Gee</li>
<li> Michael Gerhenson</li>
<li> Matthew Hartman</li>
<li> Paul Just</li>
<li> Zachary Miller</li>
<li> Shawn Pardue</li>
<li> Jared Smith</li>
<li> Paul Warner</li>
<li> Ryne White</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Electrical Engineering</strong></p>
<ul>
<li> Casy Sobon</li>
<li> Joshua Stover</li>
<li> Maegan Young</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Mechanical Engineering</strong></p>
<ul>
<li> Matthew Bracken</li>
<li> Robert Burns</li>
<li> Ryan Dickinson</li>
<li> Christine Gries</li>
<li> Theodore Heeke</li>
<li> Adam Hornek</li>
<li> Amanda Huff</li>
<li> Jeffrey King</li>
<li> Daniel Mancinelli</li>
<li> Try McDaris</li>
<li> Ryan McPeak</li>
<li> Jeremy Midkiff</li>
<li> Bradley Miller</li>
<li> Chrissi Myatt</li>
<li> James Rice</li>
<li> Jason Selby</li>
<li> Kevin Simms</li>
<li> Michael Simpson</li>
<li> Christopher Steele</li>
<li> Benjamin Thompson</li>
<li> Benjamin Topp</li>
<li> Whitney Tyree</li>
<li> Aaron Vanover</li>
<li> Gregory Whittle</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Land Surveying Minor</strong></p>
<ul>
<li> Tatum Slinker</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Floodplain Management Minor</strong></p>
<ul>
<li> Daniel Douglas</li>
</ul>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Reflections of WKU&#8217;s 41st Research Conference</title>
		<link>http://wku.edu/Dept/Academic/Ogden/Engineering/news/reflections-of-wkus-41st-research-conference/</link>
		<comments>http://wku.edu/Dept/Academic/Ogden/Engineering/news/reflections-of-wkus-41st-research-conference/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 28 Apr 2011 13:39:26 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>mkp</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Stories]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://wku.edu/engineering/?p=369526</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The 41st Annual WKU Research Conference was the largest in the event’s history. The Engineering department had an impressive showing with the presentation of ten student papers and two faculty moderating panels. In addition, classmates and faculty came to the conference to show their support as well as to see what other research is being... <span class="custom_more"><a href="http://wku.edu/Dept/Academic/Ogden/Engineering/news/reflections-of-wkus-41st-research-conference/">Continue reading &#187;</a></span>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The 41<sup>st</sup> Annual WKU Research Conference was the largest in the event’s history. The Engineering department had an impressive showing with the presentation of ten student papers and two faculty moderating panels. In addition, classmates and faculty came to the conference to show their support as well as to see what other research is being conducted across campus.</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">This conference presentation was a small setting. I had presented in classes before, but this was a little different. I presented with my partner Steve Buchanan. There were judges, which I was not accustomed too. But it was fun. – Jenna Wilson, Disposable Remotely Operated Submersible</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">It was very interesting and educational to see what other departments have been involved in this school year. In my section there were architecture majors, an astronomy major, and I believe agriculture majors. Some of the presentations offered more insight into the major itself, and others offered eye-opening information about the cool research that is happening on Westerns campus. I felt it was a good experience to share what we have been hard at work doing our senior year. I received several in-depth questions from the judges and other participants along with a general consensus of interest in our topic (NASA Lunabotics Mining). Our presentation was in the 12th section and we won. – Whitney Tyree, A.R.T.E.M.I.S. Double Prime</p>
<p><a name="Abstracts"><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>Abstracts</strong></span></a></p>
<p style="padding-left: 15px;">•<a href="#Acoustic Properties of Carbonized Wood"> Acoustic Properties of Carbonized Wood</a>, Kurt Woods and Christopher Byrne<br />
•<a href="#ATV Robot"> ATV Robot</a>, Casey Sobon<br />
•<a href="#Use of Technology for the Preservation of Resources in African Villages"> Use of Technology for the Preservation of Resources in African Villages</a>, Dewayne Sowelll, Drew Bewley, and Jay Hart<br />
•<a href="#Using Thermal Imaging to Evaluate University Campus Structures in Preparation for Weatherization Repair"> Using Thermal Imaging to Evaluate University Campus Structures in Preparation for Weatherization Repair</a>, Thomas Choate<br />
•<a href="#Disposable Remotely Operated Submersible"> Disposable Remotely Operated Submersible</a>, Jenna Wilson, Steve Buchanan, and Ron Rizzo<br />
•<a href="#Bio-Generated Greenhouse Heating System"> Bio-Generated Greenhouse Heating System</a>, Chris Steele, Benn Topp, and Matt Bracken<br />
•<a href="#Control Area Networks with the Freescale S12 Microprocessor"> Control Area Networks with the Freescale S12 Microprocessor</a>, Anthony Merriam<br />
•<a href="#Unbonded Capping System"> Unbonded Capping System</a>, Kevin Hinson, Marshall Henson, and Seth Renfro<br />
•<a href="#General Motors Fascia Drilling Project"> General Motors Fascia Drilling Project</a>, McPeak, Jason Selby, and Theo Heeke<br />
•<a href="#A.R.T.E.M.I.S Double Prime"> A.R.T.E.M.I.S Double Prime</a>, Amanda Huff, Whitney Tyree, and Christine Gries</p>
<p><span id="more-369526"></span></p>
<p><a name="Acoustic Properties of Carbonized Wood"><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>Acoustic Properties of Carbonized Wood</strong></a><br />
<em>Kurt Woods and Christopher Byrne</em><em><br />
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Christopher Byrne</em><br />
Wood, a naturally-occurring anisotropic cellular polymer, has unique acoustic properties in its radial, tangential and longitudinal directions. Wood can be carbonized, leaving a carbon monolith that retains the grain features of the wood. This monolith has acoustic properties similar to the original specimen in directional characteristics but differing in magnitude. Once carbonization of the specimen is complete, it can be transformed into an advanced engineering material by a silicon impregnation process. This presentation covers the material production process and compares the physical properties of the carbonized monolith before and after transformation. We present a comparison of the measured acoustic properties of the composite to theoretical acoustic properties that are derived from the rule of mixtures.<br />
<a href="#Abstracts">Return to Abstracts</a></p>
<p><a name="ATV Robot"><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>ATV Robot</strong></a><br />
<em>Casey Sobon<br />
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Stacy Wilson</em><br />
An autonomous robot has been created on an ATV platform to be used to move a microgravity meter through hostile terrain and take measurements to uncover voids in the ground. This project has been ongoing since 2006. From that time many modifications have been made and the overlapping design has compromised the control integrity. The goal of this project is to re-engineer the control system of the robot. The new system will allow a user to control the speed and direction of the ATV through remote with much more precision and safety than before. The presentation will include a discussion of the development of the robot, problems with the present system, proposed solutions to the engineering problems, and results of the new design.<br />
<a href="#Abstracts">Return to Abstracts</a></p>
<p><a name="Use of Technology for the Preservation of Resources in African Villages"><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>Use of Technology for the Preservation of Resources in African Villages</strong></a><br />
<em>Dewayne Sowelll, Drew Bewley, Jay Hart</em><em><br />
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Mark Cambron)</em><br />
Currently small farming village communities in rural Africa are losing a significant percentage of their agricultural yield to consumption and destruction by both roaming parades of elephants and local, resident wildlife. Traditional methods of deterrence through direct human intervention with confrontation have proven dangerous and often ineffectual against smaller animal due of lack of detection. The purpose of this project is to develop a multi-tiered approach to deter potentially harmful wildlife activity in the rural farming communities in impoverished African regions. To do so, the objective is to protect both crop yields and human welfare through nonlethal territory denial with multiple animal-sized “intelligent” collars and from static and reactionary ground-based systems.<br />
<a href="#Abstracts">Return to Abstracts</a></p>
<p><a name="Using Thermal Imaging to Evaluate University Campus Structures in Preparation for Weatherization Repair"><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>Using Thermal Imaging to Evaluate University Campus Structures in Preparation for Weatherization Repair</strong></a><br />
<em>Thomas Choate</em><em><br />
Faculty Advisor: Prof. Robert Choate<br />
</em>Two campus academic buildings, Grise Hall (GH) and Ivan Wilson Fine Arts Center (FAC), were identified in preparation for planned weatherization repair. The intent of this study was to provide before and after infrared images of the repairs of these buildings. However, due to repair project delays, only interim results will be shared in the conference presentation. Particular focus on GH is a known issue of exfiltration due to poor air balancing and subsequent loss of significant conditioned air, resulting in high energy costs. On FAC, a “roof over” was performed during summer 2010 due to aesthetic issues with the existing roof and post installation anomalies. This presentation will outline the methods and the plan to use infrared thermography and additional methods, such as differential pressure measurements, to assess the impact of these repairs.<br />
<a href="#Abstracts">Return to Abstracts</a></p>
<p><a name="Disposable Remotely Operated Submersible"><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>Disposable Remotely Operated Submersible</strong></a><br />
<em>Jenna Wilson, Steve Buchanan, Ron Rizzo </em><em><br />
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Stacy Wilson<br />
</em>The Disposable Remotely Operated Submersible (DROS) is a vehicle that will be used in cave exploration and bridge and dam inspection. Knowledge that was gained from the creation of a previous model (ROS) is being used in the design and fabrication of DROS. It will be smaller, portable, and relatively inexpensive or virtually “disposable.” Information from various sources, such as the WKU Center for Cave and Karst Studies and Lost River Cave, was gathered in order to better suit DROS for the task of cave exploration. When completed, DROS will aid exploration of underwater areas that might be dangerous for human divers – where DROS will assist divers in maneuvering small caverns and passageways in underwater caves and collecting water samples and specimens – and will lower manufacturing costs in the event that the vehicle cannot be recovered.<br />
<a href="#Abstracts">Return to Abstracts</a></p>
<p><a name="Bio-Generated Greenhouse Heating System"><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>Bio-Generated Greenhouse Heating System</strong></a><br />
<em>Chris Steele, Benn Topp, Matt Bracken </em><em><br />
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Kevin Schmaltz</em><br />
In the United States there are many needs for abundant clean energy. Though composting waste may not be used on a large scale, it certainly is an innovative idea for harnessing energy that would otherwise be lost. The goal for the Greenhouse Composting Project was to look at the feasibility of using the heat created from decomposing material to heat the root zone of the plants that are housed in the WKU Greenhouse during the winter months. This would result in a severe cut in energy cost. The WKU Agriculture Department is contracted to dispose of the city of Bowling Greenʼs leaf collection, which it, in turn, sells to local farmers for fertilizer once the leaves break down. Since the decomposing process produces heat, we considered ways ideas for capturing and utilizing this energy. The idea for harnessing this energy was to place the decomposing material on top of a large concrete pad that contains a network of pipes with water serving as the means of absorbing, transporting, and radiating heat in the WKU Greenhouse.<br />
<a href="#Abstracts">Return to Abstracts</a></p>
<p><a name="Control Area Networks with the Freescale S12 Microprocessor"><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>Control Area Networks with the Freescale S12 Microprocessor</strong></a><br />
<em>Anthony Merriam </em><em><br />
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Michael McIntyre<br />
</em>The goal of the Control Area Network (CAN) S12 project is to create a platform for communication between a PC-based graphical user interface and an embedded microprocessor that can be expanded using the methodology of control area networks to add more devices. The user interface will be coded in C# while the embedded processor will be coded in a mixture of C and assembly. Data from the processor will be represented graphically on the PC and instructions sent to the S12 can be shown on a set of LEDs that are wired to the microprocessor.<br />
<a href="#Abstracts">Return to Abstracts</a></p>
<p><a name="Unbonded Capping System"><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>Unbonded Capping Systems</strong></a><br />
<em>Kevin Hinson, Marshall Henson, Seth Renfro</em><em><br />
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Shane Palmquist<br />
</em>Concrete masonry block units (CMUs) typically have rough surfaces that may be uneven. For the purposes of compression testing, CMU blocks are capped to create a smooth and relatively even surface in accordance with ASTM C 140, Standard Test Methods of Sampling and Testing Concrete Masonry Units. Unfortunately, capping of a single CMU block following the procedures in ASTM C 140 is extremely time consuming and expensive. An unbounded capping system has been initially developed and is explored as a means of rapid and inexpensive testing of CMU block. The results of this system are discussed herein. Results show that the use of the unbounded capping system increases productivity while significantly decreasing testing costs.<br />
<a href="#Abstracts">Return to Abstracts</a></p>
<p><a name="General Motors Fascia Drilling Project"><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>General Motors Fascia Drilling Project</strong></a><br />
<em>McPeak, Jason Selby, Theo Heeke </em><em><br />
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Kevin Schmaltz<br />
</em>From the fabrication of automobiles to the bottling of beverages, our world revolves around automated processes. As seniors in the WKU Mechanical Engineering program, we were assigned the task of automating a drilling process at the General Motors Corvette Plant in Bowling Green. Currently, six holes are manually drilled into the rear fascia of the ZR1 Corvette. The fascia is the polymer mold that covers the rear of the vehicle, housing the taillights, license plate, and exhaust pipes. These six holes are used to attach the rear spoiler. It is our responsibility to automate this drilling process so that manual operator work is eliminated, and time and money are saved. Our presentation will cover the steps our team took to solve this problem. From conceptual design to fabrication and implementation, we will show how we engineered an efficient and effective solution.<br />
<a href="#Abstracts">Return to Abstracts</a></p>
<p><a name="A.R.T.E.M.I.S Double Prime"><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>A.R.T.E.M.I.S Double Prime</strong></a><br />
<em>Amanda Huff, Whitney Tyree, Christine Gries </em><em><br />
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Kevin Schmaltz<br />
</em>Lunar exploration remains a key topic of interest to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. This year the Kennedy Space Center is hosting the 2nd Annual Lunabotics Mining Competition, for which teams must design, build, and operate a remotely controlled device capable of excavating, transporting, and discharging lunar regolith simulant. WKU sent an interdisciplinary team-designated A.R.T.E.M.I.S. to the inaugural competition in 2010. A team of three senior mechanical engineering students from the original team, still designated A.R.T.E.M.I.S., is currently working to complete a redesigned device for this competition. The 2010-2011 A.R.T.E.M.I.S. team will review the completed device from last year and present the modified design that is being completed and tested for the May competition.<br />
<a href="#Abstracts">Return to Abstracts</a></p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Concrete canoe team gets third at Ohio competition</title>
		<link>http://wku.edu/Dept/Academic/Ogden/Engineering/news/concrete-canoe-team-gets-third-at-ohio-competition/</link>
		<comments>http://wku.edu/Dept/Academic/Ogden/Engineering/news/concrete-canoe-team-gets-third-at-ohio-competition/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 25 Apr 2011 12:16:04 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>mkp</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Competitions]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://wku.edu/engineering/?p=369220</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p>A group of WKU engineering students made more than 100 concrete batches this year while working on their concrete canoe.</p>
<p>The  work led to a trip last weekend to Akron, Ohio, for the Ohio Valley  Student Conference of the American Society of Civil Engineers.</p>
]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>A group of WKU engineering students made more than 100 concrete batches this year while working on their concrete canoe.</p>
<p>The work led to a trip last weekend to Akron, Ohio, for the Ohio Valley Student Conference of the American Society of Civil Engineers.</p>
<p>WKU finished third in a four-part competition involving everything from canoe craftsmanship to racing on the lake.</p>
<p><a href="http://wkuherald.com/news/article_d1172c3c-6c6a-11e0-b24e-001a4bcf6878.html">Full Story</a></p>
<p><a href="http://wku.edu/Dept/Academic/Ogden/Engineering/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/CHHerald_2011-04-22_CanoeTeam.pdf">Print Version</a></p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Mechanical Engineering students participate in district competitions</title>
		<link>http://wku.edu/Dept/Academic/Ogden/Engineering/news/mechanical-engineering-students-participate-in-district-competitions/</link>
		<comments>http://wku.edu/Dept/Academic/Ogden/Engineering/news/mechanical-engineering-students-participate-in-district-competitions/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 22 Apr 2011 13:15:01 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>mkp</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Competitions]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://wku.edu/engineering/?p=369211</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p>WKU’s <a href="http://wku.edu/engineering/mechanical.php">Mechanical Engineering</a> juniors participated in the American Society of Mechanical Engineers   District C Student Professional Development Conference at the University   of Kansas on April 15.</p>
<p>Fourteen students represented four WKU teams in the Student Design  Competition and received the first-place award for School Participation.  Senior Greg Whittle of Bowling Green placed second in the Old Guard  oral presentation competition.</p>
]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>WKU’s <a href="http://wku.edu/engineering/mechanical.php">Mechanical Engineering</a> juniors participated in the American Society of Mechanical Engineers  District C Student Professional Development Conference at the University  of Kansas on April 15.</p>
<p>Fourteen students represented four WKU teams in the Student Design  Competition and received the first-place award for School Participation.  Senior Greg Whittle of Bowling Green placed second in the Old Guard  oral presentation competition.</p>
<p><a href="http://wkunews.wordpress.com/2011/04/21/asme-2011/">Full Story</a></p>
<p><a href="http://wku.edu/Dept/Academic/Ogden/Engineering/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/WKUNews_2011-04-22_ASMEStu-ProfDevCon.pdf">Print Version</a></p>
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		<title>Civil Engineering students participate in regional competitions</title>
		<link>http://wku.edu/Dept/Academic/Ogden/Engineering/news/civil-engineering-students-participate-in-regional-competitions/</link>
		<comments>http://wku.edu/Dept/Academic/Ogden/Engineering/news/civil-engineering-students-participate-in-regional-competitions/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 22 Apr 2011 13:10:45 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>mkp</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Competitions]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://wku.edu/engineering/?p=369204</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p>WKU <a href="http://wku.edu/engineering/civil.php">Civil Engineering</a> students competed in the Ohio Valley Student Conference April 14-16 at the University of Akron.</p>
<p>In the concrete canoe competition, WKU finished third overall behind  Akron and Youngstown State. The team placed second in oral presentation  and third in final product. In canoe races, WKU finished first in men’s  distance and coed sprint; second in women’s distance and men’s sprint;  and third in women’s sprint.</p>
]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>WKU <a href="http://wku.edu/engineering/civil.php">Civil Engineering</a> students competed in the Ohio Valley Student Conference April 14-16 at the University of Akron.</p>
<p>In the concrete canoe competition, WKU finished third overall behind  Akron and Youngstown State. The team placed second in oral presentation  and third in final product. In canoe races, WKU finished first in men’s  distance and coed sprint; second in women’s distance and men’s sprint;  and third in women’s sprint.</p>
<p><a href="http://wkunews.wordpress.com/2011/04/21/ovsc-2011/">Full Story</a></p>
<p><a href="http://wku.edu/Dept/Academic/Ogden/Engineering/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/WKUNews_2011-04-22_OhioValleyStudentCompetition.pdf">Print Version</a></p>
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		<title>It&#8217;s Electric Engineering students convert Prius for senior project</title>
		<link>http://wku.edu/Dept/Academic/Ogden/Engineering/news/its-electric-engineering-students-convert-prius-for-senior-project/</link>
		<comments>http://wku.edu/Dept/Academic/Ogden/Engineering/news/its-electric-engineering-students-convert-prius-for-senior-project/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 11 Apr 2011 15:27:57 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>mkp</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Stories]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://wku.edu/engineering/?p=368912</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p>Course work became more hands-on this year for senior electrical engineering majors Maegan Young and Robert Kessinger.</p>
<p>For  their senior project, Young, of Scottsville, said they were given a  stock hybrid Toyota Prius that operates on a parallel system using a  battery and a gasoline engine. Their objective was to convert it into a  plug-in hybrid that goes into a typical wall outlet and charges to  improve fuel usage.</p>
]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Course work became more hands-on this year for senior electrical engineering majors Maegan Young and Robert Kessinger.</p>
<p>For their senior project, Young, of Scottsville, said they were given a stock hybrid Toyota Prius that operates on a parallel system using a battery and a gasoline engine. Their objective was to convert it into a plug-in hybrid that goes into a typical wall outlet and charges to improve fuel usage.</p>
<p><a href="http://wkuherald.com/news/article_262baf06-6174-11e0-a130-001a4bcf6878.html">Full Story</a></p>
<p><a href="http://wku.edu/Dept/Academic/Ogden/Engineering/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/CHHerald_04-08-2011_ItsElectric.pdf">Print Version</a></p>
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		<title>Pushing Boundaries: Electrical Engineering Students Adapt the PHEV</title>
		<link>http://wku.edu/Dept/Academic/Ogden/Engineering/news/pushing-boundaries-electrical-engineering-students-adapt-the-phev/</link>
		<comments>http://wku.edu/Dept/Academic/Ogden/Engineering/news/pushing-boundaries-electrical-engineering-students-adapt-the-phev/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 01 Apr 2011 15:53:10 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>mkp</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Stories]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://wku.edu/engineering/?p=368992</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p>PHEV. Plug-In Hybrid Vehicle. Often described as a hybrid with an  extension cord, PHEVs are designed further reduce environmental  pollution. One of the most common PHEVs seen on the road today is the  Toyota Prius.</p>
]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://wku.edu/Dept/Academic/Ogden/Engineering/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/IMG_7914.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-368996" title="IMG_7914" src="http://wku.edu/Dept/Academic/Ogden/Engineering/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/IMG_7914-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a>PHEV. Plug-In Hybrid Vehicle. Often described as a hybrid with an extension cord, PHEVs are designed further reduce environmental pollution. One of the most common PHEVs seen on the road today is the Toyota Prius.</p>
<p>In a hybrid vehicle, the battery of a hybrid functions as a second fuel tank. The internal combustion engine of your vehicle acts as a back-up to the battery.  The PHEV takes the hybrid vehicle model a step further, allowing drivers to regularly recharge the battery by plugging it into a standard 120 volt AC outlet. While various governmental agencies across the globe have certain criteria for PHEVs, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) requires that all PHEVS drive at least ten miles without consuming fuel.</p>
<p>Around the WKU campus, the electrical engineering students Maegan Young, Robert Kessinger, and Kris Unnikannan can be seen testing the capacity of a 2007 Toyota Prius. A capstone project under the direction of Dr. Michael McIntyre, they designed a variety of driving routes throughout the greater Bowling Green area, including rural, city, and highway routes, and as well as a combination of mixed driving. Through performance monitoring via Dyno-Scan, the students evaluated the performance of the Prius on these routes. They have been measuring battery voltage, vehicle speed and distance traveled, fuel rate and fuel used, and engine idle time.</p>
<p><a href="http://wku.edu/Dept/Academic/Ogden/Engineering/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/IMG_7930.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-369000 alignnone" title="IMG_7930" src="http://wku.edu/Dept/Academic/Ogden/Engineering/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/IMG_7930-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a><a href="http://wku.edu/Dept/Academic/Ogden/Engineering/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/IMG_7917.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-368999 alignnone" title="IMG_7917" src="http://wku.edu/Dept/Academic/Ogden/Engineering/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/IMG_7917-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /> </a></p>
<p>Based on this data, the students have taken the Prius a step further. In a particularly challenging endeavor, they exposed the battery of the Prius and installed an additional battery kit. As a part of the second phase of testing, the students will traverse the same routes as previously driven, collect and compare the data. They are looking for ways to increase the fuel economy of the vehicle. A primary concern in their testing is for drivers who travel long distances throughout the counties who have few opportunities or locations to recharge their vehicles.</p>
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		<title>Carabiner Cleave</title>
		<link>http://wku.edu/Dept/Academic/Ogden/Engineering/news/carabiner-cleave/</link>
		<comments>http://wku.edu/Dept/Academic/Ogden/Engineering/news/carabiner-cleave/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 30 Mar 2011 17:01:22 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>mkp</dc:creator>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://wku.edu/engineering/?p=368988</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p>It was just another day and another experiment for engineering students at WKU. In the McConnell Integrated Laboratory, students test the strength of carabiners.</p>
]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>It was just another day and another experiment for engineering students at WKU.</p>
<p>Carabiners. D-shaped rings with a spring catch on one side. They are quite common in our everyday lives. You see small carabiners in stores, attached to reusable water bottles. Oftentimes, building or maintenance supervisors have them attached to their belts with massive amounts of keys. Or if you are a climber or caver, you are dependent upon carabiners to hold you and your gear.</p>
<p><a href="http://wku.edu/Dept/Academic/Ogden/Engineering/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/DSC_0527.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-369467 alignnone" title="DSC_0527" src="http://wku.edu/Dept/Academic/Ogden/Engineering/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/DSC_0527-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a><a href="http://wku.edu/Dept/Academic/Ogden/Engineering/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/DSC_0566.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-369475 alignnone" title="DSC_0566" src="http://wku.edu/Dept/Academic/Ogden/Engineering/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/DSC_0566-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a></p>
<p>Entering the McConnell Integrated Lab, mechanical and civil engineering students conducted experiments where they tested the stress versus strain of carabiners. In groups of three, students were first challenged with an intricate knot-tying exercise. Following safety protocols, and supervised by Dr. C. Warren Campbell, students first tested locking carabiners. As each carabiner was pulled apart, pieces scattered across the high bay, while computer controls measured the strength needed to break the carabiner. Students recovered all of the pieces and analyzed the different ways each group’s carabiner broke.</p>
<p>Students repeated the experiment using non-locking carabiners. They further compared their measurements with the carabiner strength as published by the manufacturer.</p>
<p><a href="http://wku.edu/Dept/Academic/Ogden/Engineering/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/DSC_0584.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-369485 alignleft" style="border: 0pt none; margin: 0px 2px;" title="DSC_0584" src="http://wku.edu/Dept/Academic/Ogden/Engineering/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/DSC_0584-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="270" height="179" /></a>The experiment was used to demonstrate the practical use of theories and equations learned in the classroom. It also provided the students with the opportunity for forensic analysis, which is when engineers analyze a failure in a product and devise a method to correct it.</p>
<p>While the students enjoyed watching the carabiners fly across the room, they demonstrated a valuable aspect in the product creation, adaptation, and improvement. Many professionals and sports enthusiasts trust the manufacturer’s published specifications of the carabiners for safety in a variety of circumstances.</p>
<p>So before you trust your life to this D-shaped ring, check your carabiner. And if you’re not sure, ask some engineers to test it for you.</p>
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		<title>Students to Participate in the 41st Annual WKU Student Research Conference</title>
		<link>http://wku.edu/Dept/Academic/Ogden/Engineering/news/students-to-participate-in-the-41st-annual-wku-student-research-conference/</link>
		<comments>http://wku.edu/Dept/Academic/Ogden/Engineering/news/students-to-participate-in-the-41st-annual-wku-student-research-conference/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 24 Mar 2011 00:31:03 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>mkp</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Stories]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://wku.edu/engineering/?p=368745</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[<p>10 Engineering students will be presenting papers at the 41st WKU  Student Research  Conference this Saturday, March 26,  at the newly  opened Gary Ransdell Hall.</p>
]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>10 Engineering students will be presenting papers at the 41st WKU Student Research  Conference this Saturday, March 26,  at the newly opened Gary Ransdell Hall.</p>
<p>The conference is sponsored by the  WKU Research Council, which encourages student involvement in scholarly activities and faculty mentoring. This year&#8217;s conference features several papers from students in Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering:</p>
<ul></ul>
<ul>
<li>Acoustic Properties of Carbonized Wood, Kurt Woods and Christopher Byrne</li>
<li>ATV Robot, Casey Sobon</li>
<li>Use of Technology for the Preservation of Resources in African</li>
<li>Villages, Dewayne Sowelll, Drew Bewley, Jay Hart</li>
<li>Using Thermal Imaging to Evaluate University Campus Structures in Preparation for Weatherization Repair, Thomas Choate</li>
<li>Disposable Remotely Operated Submersible, Jenna Wilson, Steve Buchanan, Ron Rizzo</li>
<li>Bio-Generated Greenhouse Heating System, Chris Steele, Benn Topp, Matt Bracken</li>
<li>Control Area Networks with the Freescale S12 Microprocessor, Anthony Merriam</li>
<li>Unbonded Capping System, Kevin Hinson, Marshall Henson, Seth Renfro</li>
<li>General Motors Fascia Drilling Project, McPeak, Jason Selby, Theo Heeke</li>
<li>A.R.T.E.M.I.S Double Prime, Amanda Huff, Whitney Tyree, Christine Gries</li>
</ul>
<ul></ul>
]]></content:encoded>
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