Innovative Table Top Classroom Demonstrations and Lab Experiments for Courses in Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer

这个项目描述了一套实验，以改善学生在热力学和传热课程中的体验学习机会。这些课程不仅面向机械（ME）和航空航天（AE）工程专业的学生，也面向电气（EE）和计算机（CMPE）工程专业的学生。这是为了回应日益增长的对更综合的跨学科工程教育的需求，使本科生为解决问题的系统工程方法做好准备。一些拟议的实验是针对传统的交付机制，即，一个正式的实验室。其他设施适合在课堂上进行演示，这是一种行之有效的方法，可以提高学生对某一主题的兴趣。本文所描述的所有装置都为学生提供了对抽象主题的物理见解，例如热，这是看不见的。几乎所有的实验都是由机械工程专业的大四学生来完成的。这个计划有几个好处。首先，在两年的项目过程中，学生们将获得宝贵的设计经验和实用知识。其次，未来的学生将有机会接触到在许多方面都优于商业设施的最先进、创新的实验。第三，ME部门在重新装备ME 114实验室方面将节省大量资金。第四，这个项目产生的设计、手册和软件可以在全国范围内传播，以帮助其他工程学院在热力学和传热方面开发相对便宜、创新、有趣的实验和演示。

This project describes a suite of experiments for improving experiential learning opportunities for students in thermodynamics and heat transfer courses. The courses in question are not only offered for mechanical (ME) and aerospace (AE) engineering students, the traditional audience, but also for electrical (EE) and computer (CMPE) engineering majors. This is in response to the growing need for more integrated inter-disciplinary engineering education to prepare undergraduates for systems engineering approaches to problem solving. Some of the proposed experiments are intended for the traditional delivery mechanism, i.e., a formal laboratory. Other facilities are suited to demonstrations in classroom lecture settings, a proven method for boosting student interest in a topic. All of the apparatus described herein provide students with physical insights into abstract topics, such as heat, which is invisible. Nearly all of the experiments are to be constructed by senior mechanical engineering majors. There are several benefits afforded by this plan. First, over the two year course of the project, the students constructing the apparatus will gain invaluable design experience and practical know-how. Second, future students will be provided access to state of the art, innovative experiments that are superior in many respects to commercially available facilities. Third, the ME Department will save a considerable amount of money in re-equipping the ME 114 laboratory. Fourth, the designs, manuals, and software resultant from this project can be disseminated nationally to assist other engineering schools in developing relatively inexpensive, innovative, interesting experiments and demonstrations in thermodynamics and heat transfer.