Stander Symposium abstract book - University of Dayton

9:00 AM to 10:30 AM
Novel Concepts for Spring-Based Mechanical Energy Storage in Motor Vehicles
Presenter(s): Jonathan W Lauden
Advisor(s): Andrew P Murray, David H Myszka
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering - Graduate Research
Vehicle systems that store and retrieve energy have commonly relied on lead-acid or lithium-ion batteries as a storage medium. Springs are an
alternative means of energy storage and could be used to supplement batteries in such systems. This would allow a reduction in the size of those
batteries and the electric motors they operate, potentially accompanied with financial and environmental benefits. The general properties of
springs suggest that they are well-suited for use in motor vehicle systems. Springs are able to provide a large amount of power relative to their
size, and have the ability to store potential mechanical energy in a context where mechanical energy is required. In contrast, electrical energy-storage
systems require additional motors and generators to apply or absorb mechanical energy. This research explores the utility of spring materials
in automotive systems through the design and construction of a prototypical spring-based engine-starting system. The objectives are threefold:
to determine the physical properties of several elastomers to assess their potential as energy-storage media, to derive the operating requirements
and ideal size of a starting system from a production engine, and to design and build a prototype that is physically able to meet or exceed those
operating requirements. Having accomplished these three objectives, the feasibility of using springs for other energy-storage systems may be
explored, as well as the potential for large-scale production of such a system.
Rehabilitation Engineering: Design of a Shower Transfer Seat
Presenter(s): Rachael A Johanek, Alexander P Jules, Deborah M Kinor, Kendra M Rindler, Julia M Schaeffer,
Erin E Sutton
Advisor(s): Kimberly E Bigelow
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering - Independent Research
The Engineering Wellness and Safety Lab (EWSL), directed by Dr. Kimberly Bigelow, gives undergraduate and graduate students the opportunity
to perform biomechanical engineering research. This semester, the research team has partnered with the Kettering Health Network and NeuroRehab
and Balance Center to design a handicapped-accessible shower transfer seat, a need identified by occupational therapists. After researching
many current shower seats and collaborating with occupational therapists and shower seat users, the EWSL developed a list of design requirements.
These requirements will be incorporated in each of our designs: an adjustable peri-care door, adjustable legs with a large range of heights,
corrosion resistant materials, mildew and mold resistant materials, adjustable for right and left shower heads, proper drainage in the seat and
legs, backrest, supports 350 pounds, weighs less than 10 pounds, does not allow water to leak out of the shower, and costs less than 150 dollars for
the user. The lab also created a list of design criteria which will us to choose the best design. The design criteria for this project are: safe, adjustable,
compatible with curtain, durable, low effort, easy to remove, comfortable, intuitive, space efficient, accessories within reach, and easy to clean.
The design requirements and criteria will be used to develop an appropriate design to test. The final functional prototype will be presented to the
Kettering Health Network and the NeuroRehab and Balance Center at the end of this semester.
The Effect of Different Foams on Posturography Measures in Healthy and Impaired
Populations
Presenter(s): Daniel J Petit
Advisor(s): Kimberly E Bigelow
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering - Graduate Research
The manipulation of available sensory inputs is an important component in static posturography testing to examine one’s multisensory reweighting
ability and to identify potential balance problems that would otherwise be masked by compensation. Traditionally, to reduce the availability of
proprioceptive input, subjects are asked to stand barefoot on a foam pad placed on top of the force platform. However, the choice of what kind of
foam block to use often falls on the shoulders of the investigator or clinician as it is rarely well defined in testing procedures. While previous studies
have investigated the effect of varying foam types on outcome measures, it has not been well investigated whether choice of foam influences
the ability to differentiate between healthy and impaired populations using posturography. Anterior-posterior (A/P) and medial-lateral center of
pressure displacement data was collected using a 3-component force plate. Each trial lasted 30 seconds with a sampling rate of 1000Hz. For this
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