FACILITIES
This page contains descriptions of:
• Research Laboratories and
• Instructional Laboratories.
Photos - To view larger
versions of each photo below, simply click.
RESEARCH LABORATORIES:
| Combustion Engineering
Laboratory (EN105) |
High Pressure Hybrid Rocket Test Bed with
PIV System
|
This laboratory
is equipped to supplement the various design electives
as needed. A solid fuel and gas fuel combustion
experimental bench is under development. It will
be used as a demonstration unit in thermal sciences
lab. |
| Composite Materials
Research Laboratory (EN508) |
Materials Test System |
The Composite Materials Research Laboratory conducts
research in composite materials with broad applications
for agile manufacturing, energy conservation, and
technological advancement. This laboratory is equipped
to give faculty and students access to the latest
technology in testing, data acquisition, and analysis
equipment. The laboratory features several devices
to measure material response to temperature extremes,
impact, vibration and loading fatigue. |
| Cryogenic Engineering
Laboratory (EN106) |
|
This laboratory is used to conduct investigations
on low-temperature phenomena. It includes a test
rig that is composed of a vacuum-jacketed, 50-gallon,
test tank equipped with two side-view ports and
a cryogenic pump with a variable frequency drive.
This laboratory is also equipped with various data
acquisition systems for pressure and low temperature
measurements in cryogenic fluids. In addition, a
2-D laser Doppler anemometer is available to measure
two-phase flow velocities and vapor film thickness
under unsteady conditions. A two-dimensional Particle
Image Velocimeter (PIV) is used to measure instantaneous
velocity fields in various fluids including cryogenic
liquids. |
| Wind Tunnel Lab (joint facility with ECCC ( Energy Conversion and Conservation Center) |
Smaller wind tunnel |
Larger wind tunnel |
Two wind tunnels are available for aerothermal research. The smaller wind tunnel delivers 5,000 cfm flow at about 80 mph speed.
The larger wind tunnel is equipped with changeable test sections, mainly for gas turbine research. It can provide 12,000 CFM airflow with a top wind speed of 91 mph.
The speed of the wind tunnel is controlled by a constant-torque, variable frequency motor controller. The temperature of the wind tunnel can be cooled at a rate of 4.5°C/min (8°F/min) down to 10°C (50°F) and be heated at a rate of 0.77°C/min (1.4°F/min) up to 60°C (140°F).
The data acquisition systems include an automatic traversing system, a four-channel hot wire anemometry, a 96-channel thermocouple acquisition system, and a 288-channel pressure scanning system.
|
| X-Ray Characterization
Laboratory (EN509) |
X-ray Micro CT System |
X-ray Diffraction System |
The X-ray characterization laboratory was developed
for materials characterization and non-destructive
testing. Instrumentation includes a Philips X-ray
diffractometer with dual optics for conventional
powder diffraction measurements of phase identification,
and grazing incidence optics for studying surfaces
and thin films. The instrument is currently being
utilized in research on the development of new alloys
and on new coatings and surface treatments for corrosion
and wear resistance. A Skyscan 1072 high resolution
X-ray micro-CT system is used for non-destructive
testing on small parts. The instrument works in
a manner similar to a medical CT scanner, but with
higher resolution (down to a few microns). Research
with the micro-CT includes studies of the development
of microcracks in composite materials and 3-D characterization
of micro-parts fabricated by X-ray lithography methods. |
INSTRUCTIONAL LABORATORIES:
| Fluid Sciences Laboratory
(EN134) |
|
This laboratory contains equipment to conduct various
experiments for ENME 3716 - Fluid Mechanics Laboratory.
Experiments are set-up for the measurement of fluid
properties, determination of critical Reynolds number,
fluid meters, pipe friction, open-channel flow,
nozzle characteristics, pressure distribution around
a circular cylinder, and center of pressure on a
submerged plane surface. The laboratory also complements
the lecture course ENME 3720 - Fluid Mechanics.
A digital PC-based data acquisition system is incorporated
into the Subsonic Wind Tunnel setup. A second subsonic
wind tunnel demonstration has been constructed that
incorporates a Hot-Wire Anemometer for velocity
measurements. |
| Materials Science Laboratory
(EN506) |
| This
laboratory is equipped to support ENME 2711 - Structures
and Properties of Materials Laboratory. It contains
equipment such as polishing wheels, microscopes,
creep testers, materials testing equipment, environmental
chamber, hardness testing machine, and ultrasonic
nondestructive evaluation equipment. A metallograph,
which was obtained primarily as a research tool,
is also used in this lab. The laboratory is adequately
equipped to conduct experiments in stress concentration,
creep transition, temperature, heat treatment, jominy
tests, cooling curves, brazing and soldering, weld
defects and corrosion. |
| Rapid Prototyping Laboratory (EN 409) |
|
This laboratory can be used to support ENME 1781
- Computer-Aided Engineering Graphics. The laboratory
features a Thermojet solid object printer that allows
users to fabricate a physical model or prototype
directly from a 3D CAD file. Reverse engineering
capabilities are available through the use of a
non-contact 3D laser scanner. The resulting scanned
data can then be modified and the design improved
by the use of a force-feedback haptic device. |
| Thermal Sciences Laboratory (EN514) |
Cross Flow Heat Exchanger with PC Based
Data Acquisition System |
Natural Convection Setup with Particle Image
Velocimeter (PIV) System |
Low Pressure Combustion Setup with PC
Based Data Acquisition System |
|
| This laboratory is equipped to support ENME 3711
- Thermal Sciences Laboratory. It contains equipment
for performing experiments in conduction, natural
convection, radiation, heat exchangers, air conditioning/heat
pumps. This laboratory provides students with experience
in thermodynamics and heat transfer. Much of the
equipment has been designed and constructed in-house.
A new PC-based data acquisition and analysis system
has been incorporated into an experimental bench
that is used to study the effectiveness of cross-flow
air to liquid heat exchangers. Digital data acquisition
systems are also used in other experimental setups.
A natural convection demonstration setup is under
construction that will use the PIV system for the
measurements of buoyancy driven flow fields. |
| Mechanics of Materials
Laboratory (EN119) |
| This laboratory is equipped
to supplement the course ENCE 2311 - Mechanics of
Materials Laboratory. Major equipment in this laboratory
includes a 120K Tinius Olsen Universal Hydraulic
Testing Machine, a Tinius Olsen Torsion Tester (10000in-kip),
a Scott Beam Tester, a Rockwell Hardness tester,
and a Tinius Olsen Wire Tester (1000lb). Experiments
conducted as part of ENCE 2311 include: Verification
of the UHTM, standard tensile tests of steel and
other metal specimens, torsion test of steel and
other metal specimens, compression tests of concrete
cylinders, direct shear test of steel bar, beam
bending test, column buckling tests, metal hardness
tests, and wire tensile tests. |
INSTRUCTIONAL SUPPORT LABORATORIES
| Manufacturing Laboratory
(EN103) |
| This laboratory is equipped
to supplement the course ENME 2785 - Introduction
to Computer-Aided Manufacturing Methods. The equipment
in this laboratory includes a CNC 3-axis vertical
milling machine and a CNC turning center (lathe).
A computer is dedicated to this laboratory, which
is connected to each of the CNC machines. This setup
enables students to design machine parts on the
computer using available CAD/CAM software packages
in other laboratories and then transfer the data
to the computer to generate the instructions for
the CNC units, which machines the parts to the programmed
specifications. |
| Automotive Laboratory
(EN104) |
| This laboratory is equipped
to supplement the various design electives as needed.
They are also used in special topics courses, primarily
for the design and construction of the mini-baja
vehicle, the moon buggy, and the various solar energy
based competition vehicles. |
| Computer-Aided-Graphics
Laboratory (EN406) |
| This laboratory is used for
classroom instruction for ENME 1781 - Computer-Aided
Engineering Graphics. It is well equipped with twenty-four
(24) computer stations. Each station has AutoCAD
installed to assist students in gaining experience
in engineering graphics design. This laboratory
is also available to mechanical engineering students
who are taking courses in the area of computer-aided
engineering. |
| Computational Mechanics
Laboratory (EN414) |
| This laboratory supports the
analytical/numerical and graphical activities of
advanced undergraduate students and graduate students.
It consists of PC-based and UNIX-based workstations
with available software including: FORTRAN, MATHEMATICA,
TECPLOT, CFX, PATRAN, NASTRAN, SINDA and ANSYS.
This laboratory allows students to perform routine
homework assignments or assist in performing various
research projects. |
GENERAL (SUPPORT) FACILITIES
| Machine Shop (EN130) |
| The machine shop has various
machines such as: a vertical milling machine, an
engine lathe, a precision engine lathe, a drill
press, two band saws and various other tools for
manufacturing parts. Undergraduate students who
are involved with student projects such as Mini-Baja
have access to the shop. |
|
