Miniature Low-Cost Desktop Learning Modules for Multi-Disciplinary Engineering Process Applications

Abstract

Serah is an undergraduate student at Washington State University in the school of Chemical Engineering. She is involved in research regarding the design of low-cost DLM to enable the cleanup of syngas from a gasification reactor. Prof. Bernard J. Van Wie, Washington State UniversityProf. Bernard J. Van Wie did his B.S., M.S. and Ph.D., and postdoctoral work at the University of Oklahoma where he also taught as a visiting lecturer. He has been on the Washington State University faculty for 32 years and for the past 18 years has focused on innovative pedagogy research and technical research in biotechnology. His 2007His -2008 Fulbright exchange to Nigeria set the stage for him to receive the Marian Smith Award given annually to the most innovative teacher at Washington State University. Jacqueline K Burgher, Washington State UniversityJacqueline Burgher is a graduate student at Washington State University in the Chemical Engineering Department. She received her bachelor's degree from Anderson University, worked in industry, received an MBA from Anderson University and is currently working with Prof. Bernard J. Van Wie on fabricating, optimizing, and implementing a miniaturized gasification system for use in the engineering classroom. To transform the STEM learning environment and make it more effective, exciting and experiential, hands-on learning needs to be implemented in the classroom. This is the long term goal in a set of NSF projects, one a new IUSE project and a continuing TUES/CCLI project enhanced through a USAID/NSF PEER and TUES supplement. The objectives are to build and disseminate light weight, low-cost Desktop Learning Modules (DLMs), with interchangeable Fluid Mechanics, Heat Transfer and Biomass Conversion cartridges. The TUES laid a foundation resulting in a marketed technology being used in classrooms around the world in universities, community colleges and high schools, while the IUSE seeks to extend the technology to an ultra-lowcost format through design-for-manufacture with 3D printing and vacuforming.Studying the impact of these DLMs is crucial to the success of this research to determine educational effectiveness. Assessment strategies are being refined, and we have now added a pre-/post motivation survey to add to our technical assessment centered on pre-/posttest written explanations to provide a more subjective grading rubric. DLM cartridge options are also being expanded to include biofuels options. However, gasification is highly exothermic resulting in high temperatures that can create high pressure if gases are confined in small spaces. Therefore, the biogasifier DLM design requires special safety specifications so class demonstrations do not pose risks for students and instructors. Considerations include gasifier placement into a polycarbonate shielded container for easy visualization, reducing reactor size to mm-diameter quartz tubes to create a classroom safe system that limits total thermal energy, directed thermal heating through electrical resistance wires, and providing uniq...

Work in Progress: Hands-on Learning Devices for Exposure to Biomedical Applications within Chemical Engineering

“…While various forms of hands-on learning approaches are becoming increasingly common in engineering education, the LCDLMs are unique due to their extremely low cost and flexible applications. The construction costs of our current fluid mechanics models range from $100-$200 each, the price of an average textbook [6]. Additionally, the BME LC-DLMs are built to fit on a standard tablet-arm desk, allowing their use in any classroom setting.…”

Board 131: Nationwide Dissemination and Critical Assessment of Low-cost Desktop Learning Modules for Engineering: A Systematic, Supported Approach

“…Our group has therefore designed numerous ultra-low-cost, hands-on learning instruments called Low-Cost Desktop Learning Modules (LC-DLMs) including a hydraulic loss pipe system, venturi meter [6,7], a double pipe and a shell and a tube heat exchanger [8], and a boundary layer visualization system [9]. The LC-DLM cartridges were constructed using inexpensive vacuum-forming and 3D printing techniques and are highly visual and interactive, allowing students to see trends in pressure, flowrate, and fluid paths, as well as manipulate and measure flow rates and temperatures while collaborating with their peers.…”

Developing a working 2-year/4-year research program: experiences from the first year of a collaborative ATE grant.

“…Our ATE project involves adapting novel in-classroom laboratory equipment and activities developed for teaching engineering to teaching process technology. The equipment being adapted consists of very low-cost models of common industrial equipment [1][2][3][4][5]. These are items like heat exchangers and pipes which are common to both process technology and many branches of engineering.…”