Building Scalable Communities from International Knowledge Networks

Small organizations frequently implement knowledge networks where people use their personal uncoordinated connections to transfer information. Although small knowledge networks may be very effective, they often experience problems as they grow. One way organizations can counteract this is by developing communities of practice. Cycling Without Age (CWA) is an organization that faces issues with knowledge sharing due to a rapidly expanding network. The goal of this project was to help CWA develop a community of practice that allows for more effective knowledge transfer. We investigated CWA’s knowledge network structure and analyzed their social learning group behavior in order to develop a governance structure around the network and implement a new platform

Design of a Variable Compression Internal Combustion Engine

The purpose of this project is to design a single cylinder internal combustion engine to be used by the Mechanical Engineering Department at WPI for in-class demonstrations. The engine is designed so that it is easily reconfigurable for different operating parameters, and able to function with a compression ratio and ignition timing that can be adjusted while the engine is operating. The final result of this project is accurate drawings of all the components unique to this engine so that a future team can manufacture and assemble it; this includes the mechanism that adjusts the cylinder height to change the compression ratio, the crank case, and the valve train that maintains consistent valve timing as the compression ratio is varied