Good point Lyn. Every time this question comes up I assume that this is an undergraduate senior in engineering and not a high school senior. Either way they're better off getting guidance and advice from inside their program.
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"Don't disturb my circles." translation of Archimedes last words
Actually I think that this is really a form of engineering stage fright. Like that first music recital, sometimes you just have to shove a few students onto the stage to get the first one over with before going into the real world.
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"Don't disturb my circles." translation of Archimedes last words
Every year this question comes around. At most schools, the professors have for the seniors a collection of projects that they would like done for senior projects. These will be projects in fields that the professors are already knowledgeable in and may even help them in their research. Each of these projects will likely have a minimum and maximum number of students allowed on each project. Depending on the project there maybe students from different engineering disciplines working on the project. All of the preselected projects will be a level of difficulty that will challenge but likely not overwhelm a senior.
Now this does not mean that you cannot come up on your own with a project but this will be a more difficult path to take for you. Once you conceive a project for you to do and you must be the one to conceive this project, you will now have to find a professor willing to accept you, your possible team and your project. You will have to convince this professor that this is not a trivial project nor beyond your capabilities and under the budget your school can provide for this budget. Remember you must do all preparation for this before meeting your professor because you will have to sell yourself and the project to one of your professors that has already seen your work. All facts, plans plausible problems and reasonable project timeline must be at your mental fingertips when you try convince your professor that this can be done. If it becomes obvious that you are reaching to far, doing something too easy or are proposing something you know little about because you got your idea from an engineering blog you will not be able to do your own project.
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"Don't disturb my circles." translation of Archimedes last words
Thanks for the input. We are undergrads and our professors do not supply us with any topics its up to us to choose. And unfortunately the only professors who i would consider experts are in controls and heat transfer/energy. We have plenty of ideas floating around in discussion; rocket using solid propelent combustion, modular HVAC system, self balancing unicycle with PID controller, sterling engine power generator using sunlight just to name a few, yet we havent found THE idea. I was just hoping that some of the more seasoned engineers and science enthusiasts might have some input to help re-kindle some our thought process. At the begining of the semester we must present all our ideas to our advisor and hope he likes the same ones we do.
1. Convert an IC engine car to a EV car, using 3 Phase induction motor, develop your own power inverter, this will give you a wide spectrum of engineering works.
2. Built a micro turbine engine using automotive turbo charger , combine with a steam turbine generator to make a CHP system.
3. Exhaust heat recovery system for car, a Rankine cycle steam generator.
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Sharing knowledge is one thing that defies basic arithmetic logic --- the more you share, the more you get!
Senior Project
Re: Senior Project
