103 research outputs found
Using IR Cameras Beyond Outreach: Motivational Projects for Engineering Students
Affordable infrared (IR) cameras provide a unique opportunity to motivate and enhance the education of engineering students. We used both IR and visible images from a FLIR E60 camera as an instructional vehicle in a digital image processing course, where students came from several engineering majors. These IR and visible images were used as the basis for an open-ended final project in the course. Assessment via both pre- and post-project questionnaires showed the project was a positive experience for the students, and helped motivate them to learn the material. This paper discusses the course, the camera, the project, and how effective it was to add this project to the course
Second Year of Using the Sidekick Basic Kit for TI LaunchPad with Elementary School Students
This paper describes a second year, follow-on study in which 4th and 5th grade students were exposed to engineering-related topics using a microcontroller, input/output circuitry, sensors, and the associated software coding needed to achieve a desired functionality of the hardware. The first year study was described in a paper presented at the 2017 ASEE Annual Conference. This second year study took students to the ânext level,â and showed very promising results
Elementary School Use of the Sidekick Basic Kit for TI LaunchPadâą
Despite the fact that the Sidekick basic kit for TI LaunchPadâą is intended for a much more experienced group of students, engineers, and makers, we have successfully introduced it into four classes of 5th grade elementary school students. This system mapped well onto the existing science standards of learning established by the State of Virginia. Additionally, the assessment of this process clearly demonstrated that effective learning is occurring
Using Student Knowledge of Linear Systems Theory to Facilitate the Learning of Optical Engineering
For students learning a new topic, being able to use existing knowledge and mental models in the context of the new topic leads to faster learning and a deeper understanding of the new concepts. This paper describes how teaching a graduate-level course providing an introduction to optical engineering for students from multiple engineering majors can be facilitated by using existing concepts and knowledge of linear systems theory, which are common to them all
Using Veteransâ Technical Skills in an Engineering Laboratory
After years of dissatisfaction with student knowledge and ability to use electrical test and measurement equipment (T&ME), a veteran with significant expertise using this equipment was placed in a Circuit Analysis Lab. This paper reports on this trial and its assessment results. Based on the overwhelming success of this program, this one-semester trial was extended for a second semester
An Affordable Software Defined Radio
This paper discusses the utilization of a relatively inexpensive wideband radio receiver in combination with a digital downconverter (DDC) based data recorder to capture and record real world radio signals. The resulting in-phase (I) and quadrature (Q) data files are then imported intoMATLAB for processing. This batch processing of real world radio signals allows for a tremendous amount of classroom flexibility in the discussion of software defined radio topics
Quantum Coherence in a Single Ion due to strong Excitation of a metastable Transition
We consider pump-probe spectroscopy of a single ion with a highly metastable
(probe) clock transition which is monitored by using the quantum jump
technique. For a weak clock laser we obtain the well known Autler-Townes
splitting. For stronger powers of the clock laser we demonstrate the transition
to a new regime. The two regimes are distinguished by the transition of two
complex eigenvalues to purely imaginary ones which can be very different in
magnitude. The transition is controlled by the power of the clock laser. For
pump on resonance we present simple analytical expressions for various
linewidths and line positions.Comment: 6 figures. accepted for publication in PR
Active Brownian Particles. From Individual to Collective Stochastic Dynamics
We review theoretical models of individual motility as well as collective
dynamics and pattern formation of active particles. We focus on simple models
of active dynamics with a particular emphasis on nonlinear and stochastic
dynamics of such self-propelled entities in the framework of statistical
mechanics. Examples of such active units in complex physico-chemical and
biological systems are chemically powered nano-rods, localized patterns in
reaction-diffusion system, motile cells or macroscopic animals. Based on the
description of individual motion of point-like active particles by stochastic
differential equations, we discuss different velocity-dependent friction
functions, the impact of various types of fluctuations and calculate
characteristic observables such as stationary velocity distributions or
diffusion coefficients. Finally, we consider not only the free and confined
individual active dynamics but also different types of interaction between
active particles. The resulting collective dynamical behavior of large
assemblies and aggregates of active units is discussed and an overview over
some recent results on spatiotemporal pattern formation in such systems is
given.Comment: 161 pages, Review, Eur Phys J Special-Topics, accepte
Selection of common bean lines with high agronomic performance and high calcium and iron concentrations
Image Fusion: An Introduction to Multispectral Signal Processing
A new generation of affordable infrared (IR) cameras provides both IR and visible images, which allows professors to introduce the concept of multispectral (and hyperspectral) signal processing in a particularly motivating way for students. We describe the use of a FLIR E60 camera in a graduate digital image processing course, in which IR and visible images were used as the basis for an open-ended final project in the course. We used both pre- and post-project questionnaires to confirm that the project was a positive experience for the students, and helped motivate them to master the course material
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