Re-engineering the Venetian Taxi Transportation System: Efficiency Improvements That Reduce Moto Ondoso

This project, sponsored by the Consorzio Motoscafi Venezia, in Venice, Italy, evaluated the current taxi transportation system in an effort to improve the efficiency of the operation while minimizing its contribution to canal wall degradation. Taxi operations were analyzed, resulting in proposed modifications to boat design, fares, travel routes, and the dispatching system which all will help preserve this deteriorating city while maintaining the economic viability of the taxi transportation system. Additionally, this project surveyed taxi drivers to understand their thoughts of current procedures as well as future considerations

Thermal Energy Scavenging to Power Aircraft Engine Test Sensors

Many wires are used to set up instrumentation on Pratt & Whitney gas turbine engines. The wires create long set up times, disorganization, and added failure points. The goal of this project was to power the transducers wirelessly with a required 10V excitation at 10mA. This was done by modifying a thermoelectric generator package which uses the temperature difference between the engine's heat and the surrounding cool air. Enhancements were made to the generator to optimize the temperature difference. Temperature differences of approximately 60C and voltages of 2.5V were achieved and then stepped up to 10V. This package will provide enough voltage to power most wireless devices and eliminate the problems associated with current instrumentation during engine tests at Pratt & Whitney