4-Axis Filament Winding Machine for Composite Manufacturing

Department of Aerospace and Astronautics

Requested:

$4,459

Status:

Funded

Awarded:

$4,459

Abstract

This proposal requests funding for a 4-axis desktop filament winding machine, set up in the Mechanical Engineering Composite Shop, to be used for student manufacturing of advanced composite parts. The proposed filament winder will be set up in the Mechanical Engineering Composite Shop. This machine will allow students to gain valuable experience in designing and manufacturing axisymmetric composite parts and assemblies using filament winding, a method of manufacture that is used frequently in the aerospace and defense, nuclear, automotive, medical, and recreation industries.

Specialized software annual renewals for SOA computer labs

School of Art, Art History, and Design

Requested:

$5,665

Status:

Funded

Awarded:

$5,665

Abstract

This proposal seeks to provide funding for annual maintenance/upgrade fees for our key 3D design software packages Keyshot, Solidworks, and RhinoCAM. We are also looking to provide continued funding for Principle, an application for software user interface design, as well as acquire additional JAMF iOS management licenses for our added 20 iPad Pros.

Society for Advanced Rocket Propulsion Test and Operations Equipment

Department of Aerospace and Astronautics

Requested:

$1,022

Status:

Funded

Awarded:

$1,022

Abstract

Students in the College of Engineering are now, more than ever, looking for ways to gain hands-on engineering experience throughout their college careers. With the recent shift to a Direct to College admissions system, students are joining engineering clubs earlier on and finding ways to get involved with more discipline-specific engineering experiences. Aside from the DTC change, the Department of Aeronautics & Astronautics has in recent years experienced a surge in applications, indicating high undergraduate interest in the field. The Society for Advanced Rocket Propulsion (SARP) provides a great way for students to gain hands-on, aerospace experience. Indeed, with the increased interest in aerospace, we have also seen a surge in applications to join our team. With over 200 student team members this year, we are modifying our team structure and adding goals to accommodate a larger team. We strive to provide meaningful opportunities to all students; however, we are doing this without any large increase in resources or funding. This year, we have secured an unfurnished workspace in the KWT building for assembly operations. Purchasing additional equipment and tools will allow us to expand our research and development projects in new ways, in turn giving us the capability to support a greater number of students who wish to learn about rocketry. With additional resources, we envision a larger student organization that is designing, building, and flying multiple sounding rockets per year - something other university rocketry teams have found success with. Adding physical resources of equipment & tools is a critical first step in the expansion of our organization. Interest in our team has been demonstrated - next is expanding our capabilities and programming to support the learning and technical development of all students who show interest in joining.

Comsol Multiphysics software to support student education and research

College of Engineering

Requested:

$30,718

Status:

Funded

Awarded:

$30,718

Abstract

This proposal requests funding to purchase a computer simulation software suite, COMSOL Multiphysics, for the College of Engineering. COMSOL Multiphysics is a comprehensive simulation software environment for a wide field of engineering, manufacturing, and scientific research. Thanks to its powerful multi-physics simulation capabilities, this software is widely used in academia, industry, and national labs nowadays. Here in the College of Engineering at UW, undergraduate and graduate students in the Department of Aeronautics & Astronautics, Department of Bioengineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Department of Materials Science & Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering Department, and Department of Mechanical Engineering would benefit from the acquisition of this software. Specifically, this software will help students implement their knowledge from the textbooks and course works into practical computational simulations, e.g., structural mechanics, fluid dynamics, heat transfer, acoustics, etc. This will, in turn, allow them to get involved in real scientific research, thus greatly expanding the research capabilities of the UW researchers. Computer simulations have been a powerful tool to solving the mathematical model of many systems in physics, chemistry, biology and engineering. By mimicking the reality, it can help the research to predict the response of a complex system for certain parameters and conditions, thus giving them a better understanding of the problem. For example, engineers use the computer simulations to calculate the strength of engineering structures and, based on which they can further refine the design and validate the safety. By introducing computer simulations into the R&D process, it can help to reduce the number of physical prototypes and experiments, thus saving time and cost for the developer. COMSOL Multiphysics is the leading provider of multiphysics simulation and analysis. The add-on modules from the product make it possible to consider two or more physics environments in one single model, including but not limited to, electromagnetics, structural mechanics, acoustics, fluid flow, heat transfer, and chemical engineering. Thanks to the ability to couple any number of physics phenomena together and to input user-defined physics descriptions, COMSOL Multiphysics provides the users much more freedom to control the simulation model, leading to accurate results by minimizing the assumptions its users must make. Such features will help the research gain advantage in many types of simulations, not only in the fundamental subjects but also in the advanced interdisciplinary studies.

Archaeological Mapping and Remote Sensing Toolkit

Department of Anthropology

Requested:

$18,442

Status:

Funded

Awarded:

$18,442

Abstract

Mapping and remote sensing are instrumental to archaeological research and discovery. Remote sensing refers to the acquisition of aerial and ground-based detection of spatial and visual data about an object or landscape feature without making physical contact with the object. The use of drones in remote sensing have become increasingly common in an archaeological mapping toolkit and remote sensing techniques have opened up new avenues and possibilities for archaeology by increasing the accuracy and precision in surveying and mapping of geological and archaeological landscape features.Traditionally, field drawing and mapping involved an enormous expenditure of time and effort in an archaeological project. With modern advances in equipment and software, mapping projects that would have taken months or years to complete, can be completed in a matter of hours and days. This proposal seeks to acquire drones and the spatial data collection technology necessary to undertake archaeological research projects.

Image-based wind tunnel equipment for advancement of student design capabilities

Department of Aerospace and Astronautics

Requested:

$238,935

Status:

Funded

Awarded:

$238,935

Abstract

Funds are requested for the purchase of image-based diagnostic equipment that will revolutionize student wind tunnel testing capabilities at UW. Such testing is central to the goals of a wide range of student design teams and Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) but their ability to visualize aerodynamic and structural issues with their designs is currently lacking. This new equipment will provide a transformative capability for students to obtain near real-time feedback on the potential and efficiency of their work, while providing highly valuable experience with equipment prized in the job market. The proposed system is capable of simultaneous measurement of vehicle aerodynamics and structural movement. Accounting for the coupled interaction of fluids and structures is central to modern engineering design as we seek to make structures lighter and vehicles more efficient. Such a capability will drastically change the capacity and ambitions of student projects and clubs, who are unable to visualize and study aerodynamic flowfields using current technologies available in UW’s wind tunnels. This analysis is a crucial step in the design process. This equipment will provide them with the ability to explore the edges of the engineering envelope using tools now common and prized in industry. The proposed equipment is modular and portable, combining a Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) system for visualization of aerodynamics and a Digital Image Correlation (DIC) system for the measurement of structural movement. It would be housed within the 3’x3’ low-speed wind tunnel within the Aeronautics and Astronautics (AA) Department and be made available for use in other locations on a sign-out system. This facility is dedicated to supporting student labs, design projects and research throughout the year, with over 40 students comprising 15 projects conducted within the past year. Wind tunnel testing is a central aspect of many students’ educational experience at UW. This equipment will create a connection between theory and practice, providing students with the tools necessary to properly explore and visualize the results of their design decisions. Such experience is prized within industry and will aid in recruitment post-graduation.

Political Science Computer Labs -- Hard Drive Upgrade

Political Science Department

Requested:

$2,253

Status:

Funded

Awarded:

$2,253

Abstract

The Department of Political Science is seeking funding to replace aging and out-of-warranty disk drives with new solid state drives (SSDs) on computers purchased with STF funds in 2015. Requesting 31 solid state drives (28 for production machines, 2 for an imaging/testing machine and 1 spare for future). We have two labs in Smith Hall. Smith 220 is an open lab with 25 machines and Smith 41 is a Political Science graduate student lab with 3 machines.

UW Food Pantry - Client relations management, volunteering system, and related technology

UW Food Pantry

Requested:

$1,592

Status:

Funded

Awarded:

$1,592

Abstract

The UW Food Pantry is seeking funding to secure technology investments that will allow for improved client relations and volunteer management, including streamlining the check-in process, data tracking for program evaluation and operational improvements, volunteer shift registration and hours tracking, and communications.

Hydraulic Press Brake for Sheet Metal Fabrication

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Requested:

$19,700

Status:

Funded

Awarded:

$19,700

Abstract

We request funding for a hydraulic press brake for the Mechanical Engineering Student Shop. This tool allows complex bends to be formed in sheet metal ranging from thin gauge aluminum up to 48" of .25" thick mild steel. Sheet metal fabrication allows such diverse parts as small electronics enclosures, robust automotive suspension parts, and large aerospace structures to be produced quickly at low cost; for this reason, sheet metal parts dominate in industry over the machined and additively-manufactured parts UW students can currently produce, and many UW student teams rely on outside vendors to fulfill sheet metal needs.

SOA Computer lab and print systems refresh

School of Art, Art History, and Design

Requested:

$148,481

Status:

Funded

Awarded:

$148,481

Abstract

The School or Art + Art History + Design (SoA+AH+D) is looking to replace aging computers in our primary computing lab(s), print center, and two satellite buildings at Sandpoint and the Ceramic and Metal Arts Building (CMA). Additionally we are requesting to upgrade/replace our archival inkjet printers and printer RIPs, and misc laptops for student use. Budget: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1wFFVmcoj_HAy65AlTJWo7xP5AlrLIosnXD6ZJ2YWbQ8/edit#gid=546808570

Funding Status: Funded