Mechanical Engineering Senior Project Ideas

How many more projects do you have?

Use a small engine to generate electricity, then use the waste heat from the engine to run a steam turbine (use a turbo or supercharger) and find out how much more energy you can generate from the fuel (monitor fuel consumption during both stages).

If you can find a water cooled engine it will be that much easier because you can pre-heat your feedwater in the water jacket around the piston. You will need to make an economical heat exchanger to take as much heat as possible from the exhaust.

And remember...even if it is not economical or doesn't work as planned make sure that you can explain why it doesn't work and you can still get a grade...sometimes research only proves what can't be done (not saying this won't work...just not sure).

Oh...and if you do this, I would love to read the final report!

Drew K

I don't like the bracing on that trebuchet. The bracing is not even using butt joints.

What do YOU have an interest in?

I don't know at which institution you are studying, but it appears to have failed to educate you correctly for a career in engineering. I see no mention of modules in brainstorming and decision tree theory, or project management, or budgeting. If you were given instruction in these subjects you have failed to understand their significance. I suggest that you intensively "blitz study" these topics for a week, and then use the knowledge that you have gained to come up with your own project. Your choice of invitees to a well prepared brainstorming session will be crucial. It should include a smattering of your professors, maybe a college technician or two, a couple of professional engineers and a business entrepreneur.

You have suggested Agriculture. I suggest design simple device for re planting of paddy (rice) in the Fields. It is back braking job fro poor farmers throughout the world as they have to bend and replant the paddy.

so far I've had 2 ideas that I like

1-Power generation from ocean waves : I'm wondering how much a prototype could cost (roughly)

2-Water purification system for an underdeveloped society: passing the water through sand/charcoal/gravel and than through UV treatment ,perhaps powered by solar energy .However ,I'm not sure how much mechanical engineering is actually involved in this project. Also wondering how much a prototype might cost.

I'm thinking I'd like to conduct a study on the feasibility of harnessing wind energy for electricity in my country (I don't think it has been done here before and we have a power problems and a pollution problem).My questions :-do you think this would make a good project-can anyone who has done this kind of thing before or works in alternative energy give me some pointers about where to begin and how to go about it -I doubt I will be able to get sponsoring so can anyone fill me in on the expenses that might be involved( for measurements for example)

How about some sort of salt water still that converts the salt water to drinkable fresh water? Keep it very simple and cheap for 3rd world countries.