Miniature Low-Cost Desktop Learning Modules for Multi-Disciplinary Engineering Process Applications

To transform the STEM learning environment and make it more effective, exciting and experiential, hands-on learning needs to be implemented in the classroom. This is the long term goal in a set of NSF projects, one a new IUSE project and a continuing TUES/CCLI project enhanced through a USAID/NSF PEER and TUES supplement. The objectives are to build and disseminate light weight, low-cost Desktop Learning Modules (DLMs), with interchangeable Fluid Mechanics, Heat Transfer and Biomass Conversion cartridges. The TUES laid a foundation resulting in a marketed technology being used in classrooms around the world in universities, community colleges and high schools, while the IUSE seeks to extend the technology to an ultra-lowcost format through design-for-manufacture with 3D printing and vacuforming. Studying the impact of these DLMs is crucial to the success of this research to determine educational effectiveness. Assessment strategies are being refined, and we have now added a pre-/post motivation survey to add to our technical assessment centered on pre-/posttest written explanations to provide a more subjective grading rubric. DLM cartridge options are also being expanded to include biofuels options. However, gasification is highly exothermic resulting in high temperatures that can create high pressure if gases are confined in small spaces. Therefore, the biogasifier DLM design requires special safety specifications so class demonstrations do not pose risks for students and instructors. Considerations include gasifier placement into a polycarbonate shielded container for easy visualization, reducing reactor size to mm-diameter quartz tubes to create a classroom safe system that limits total thermal energy, directed thermal heating through electrical resistance wires, and providing unique conversion measurement means such as a small syringe cylinder / piston unit where the piston expands along a graduated strip to read volumes of reaction gases while holding pressures at near atmospheric levels. Syngas cleanup will be accomplished by passing products through a fiberglass filter to reduce tar, bubbling through olive oil to remove any remaining tar and cool the gas stream, absorption of acidic CO2 and H2S gases in mono-ethanol amine, and collecting final product gas in the syringe. Gas production from specified products will be pre-determined through GC analysis and relating conversion to final gas volumes, after knowing reaction conditions, and the nature of side-product removal processes. To make such systems relevant to educating students about gasifier design in resource limited environments, the team is working internationally with Ahmadu Bello University and the National Research Institute for Chemical Technology in Zaria, Nigeria. This enhances the education of US students by providing experiences with a transnational collaborative team. In this paper we will present technical aspects surrounding development of a number of new learning cartridges, both low-cost vacuformed models already fabricated and classroom tested and those in the planning stages including a Solid Works image and COMSOL model of a new simplified Shell and Tube Heat Exchanger and the Biomass cartridge explained above. We will P ge 26155.3 also focus on our new pre-/post motivation survey and planned implementations of the hands-on learning modules to undergraduate and high school students at a small number of institutions.