- University News Archive - ��Vlog��ý Little Rock

��Vlog��ý Little Rock student researches how to improve lift capabilities, flight times in drones

Ajani Oyindamola — Tue, 30 Apr 2019 16:22:37 +0000

A University of Arkansas at Little Rock student has been experimenting with drone design in hopes of making current drone technology more viable for commercial ventures. Andrew Cherry, who will graduate May 11 with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical systems engineering, is researching how to improve the lift capability and takeoff of quadcopter drones via fluid mechanics. Drones that can take off using less force will use less battery life and be able to travel farther carrying greater loads, making them more viable for future ventures in delivery, transportation, and military operations. “Most drones can generate plenty of lift to get themselves moving and have a good range distance,” Cherry said. “If we can improve the amount of lift drones generate at a lower RPM (rotations per minute) of the motor, then the drone will use less battery life and be able to travel longer without having to charge the batteries so often. If we can improve the lift, a delivery drone, for example, could travel to more places and deliver more packages without having to stop and recharge as often.” Cherry first became interested in studying drone technology after taking a class with Dr. Jin Wook Lee, assistant professor of systems engineering, who serves as Cherry’s faculty mentor on the project. “Throughout my classes with Dr. Lee, I’ve become more interested in fluid mechanics,” Cherry said. “It’s something I wanted to jump on board and learn more about. Working with drones is such a growing field. I came to school to learn, so I am glad to work on things that few people have worked on before.” Cherry is one of more than 100 ��Vlog��ý Little Rock students who received a $1,000 grant to conduct original research, creative works, and community service projects this semester as part of the university’s Signature Experience Award program. He presented his research at the Student Research and Creative Works Expo on April 18 in the Jack Stephens Center. The project is part of Lee’s ongoing research to create a novel thrust generator for drones. “A novel thrust generator I am designing for drones is expected to have significantly less aerodynamic losses and therefore, the overall propulsive efficiency and the flight duration will be greatly improved,” Lee said. “Our ultimate goal is to implement this device for various commercial applications such as drone delivery service, military unmanned aerial vehicles, and passenger transportation.” In Cherry’s research, he’s seeking to improve the lift and takeoff capabilities by employing a convex, dish-like surface structure known as a coanda surface underneath the drone’s propellers. “According to the coanda effect reported in 1938, the pressure right at the convex surface is lower than the ambient air and therefore negative values, if air flows strongly over the surface,” Cherry said. “This negative pressure will generate additional lift forces and therefore contribute to improve the lift capability of a drone without significantly complicating the overall structure.” Cherry was tasked with using ANSYS Fluent, an engineering simulation software, to create different designs of the coanda surface and running simulations with changing parameters to determine which design would generate the most lift force. “From this project, we will be able to predict an optimal design so that eventually a quadcopter will have an improved overall efficiency and therefore longer flight durations and lift capabilities,” Cherry said. “The results will serve as a seed for further developments and improvement in the drone technology.” In the upper right photo, Andrew Cherry researches how to improve the lift capability and takeoff of quadcopter drones for commercial use. Photo by Ben Krain.

Two ��Vlog��ý Little Rock programs earn accreditation

Ajani Oyindamola — Tue, 25 Sep 2018 14:45:48 +0000

Two programs from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock Donaghey College of Engineering and Information Technology have received accreditation from ABET. The Architectural and Construction Engineering (ARCE) and Mechanical Systems Engineering (MSEG) programs have been accredited by ABET after a 20-month review process. The added accreditation is retroactive to Oct. 1, 2016. “ABET is the gold standard for technical education of all kinds,” said Nickolas Jovanovic, professor in the Department of Construction Management and Civil and Construction Engineering. “Meeting the accreditation standards for ABET is a testament to the high quality of the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock ARCE and MSEG programs, their faculty, and graduates.” Accreditation is a voluntary, peer-reviewed process that evaluates many factors, including curriculum, educational facilities, institutional support, faculty expertise, student performance, and outcomes. Many employers require degrees from accredited programs for employment in certain technical fields. The Architectural and Construction Engineering program in the Department of Construction Management and Civil and Construction Engineering was approved by the Arkansas Department of Higher Education in August 2012, and the program produced its initial graduating class in May 2017. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s program focuses on building structure design and construction engineering and management. All students in the program are required to complete a minimum of 800 contact hours of practical work experience in an approved construction- or engineering-related activity to gain valuable industry experience and insights. The Mechanical Systems Engineering program in the Department of Systems Engineering started in the spring 2017 semester. It is a unique, interdisciplinary program which combines the strengths of traditional mechanical engineering with a core of systems engineering concepts. , previously known as the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, accredits college and university programs in the disciplines of applied and natural science, computing, engineering, and engineering technology at the associate, bachelor and master degree levels. Accreditation criteria focus on what students experience and learn. Sought worldwide, ABET’s voluntary peer-review process is highly respected because it adds critical value to academic programs in the technical disciplines, where quality, precision and safety are of the utmost importance. ABET is a nonprofit, non-governmental organization recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock students compete in university’s first human powered vehicle challenge

Ajani Oyindamola — Fri, 25 May 2018 13:03:25 +0000

A team of systems engineering students at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock has gone where no ��Vlog��ý Little Rock students have gone before by participating in the Human Powered Vehicle Challenge. For their senior design and capstone project, Team Captain Hugh Benfer, Nathanael Menhinick, Cameron Palmer, Jason Reed, and Shelby Wingate designed and built the university’s first human powered vehicle. Dr. Jin Lee, professor of systems engineering, and Dr. Samer Yahya, visiting scholar of systems engineering, served as the team’s faculty advisors. Human-powered transport is often the only type of transportation available in underdeveloped parts of the world and is an increasingly viable form of sustainable transportation that is becoming more popular in urban areas. The challenge provides an opportunity for students to demonstrate sound engineering design principles in the development of sustainable transportation alternatives. “A human-powered vehicle is generally for commuting in a metropolitan area,” said Benfer. “You find a way to have a more ecologically, environmentally, and economically way to commute in cities, which are filled with cars that pollute the air and take up much needed space. Human powered vehicles solve an old problem of metropolitan cities that have too many cars, crowded traffic, and little parking. As biking becomes more popular, human-powered vehicles will become more popular as people branch out and customize their experiences.” The team worked on the human-powered vehicle, which they dubbed the “Trojan Horsepower,” during the 2017-18 academic year. Riders sit in the three-wheeled vehicle in a recumbent-bike position. “Our human-powered vehicle is pure engineering might, steel, and zip ties. It has an extremely robust steel roll bar, so that in the event of a crash, the roll bar protects the rider and the rider will not touch the ground,” Benfer said. “We also used aerodynamic fairing, which is something that will block the wind and allows the air to move more smoothly around your body. It makes the vehicle easier to pedal. You can cut through the wind like a knife.” The students had the opportunity to test their vehicle in the at Pennsylvania State University April 13-15.

Hugh Benfer drives Trojan Horsepower as teammates Jason Reed and Shelby Wingate watch. Photo by Ben Krain.

The Department of Systems Engineering even recognized the contributions of the students’ parents. Darin Reed, father of Jason Reed, received a special award, “Outstanding Father of the Year,” at the Donaghey College of Engineering and Information Technology’s 2018 awards ceremony for driving the team the 16-hour trek from Little Rock to Pennsylvania and back so they could participate in the competition. The event consisted of safety tests to ensure the vehicle’s sound design, a drag race, and an endurance race in which teams competed to complete the most laps possible during a 2.5 hour race. Wingate placed 13th in the women’s drag race, while Benfer placed 18th in the men’s drag race. In the endurance race, Benfer, Palmer, Reed, and Wingate placed 13th after completing 26 total laps. “There are obstacles like stop signs, speed bumps, and tight turns,” Benfer said. “It puts your vehicle to the test. The rumble strip is going to destroy your vehicle if anything is loose. That is what happened to us. We had to go to the pit to keep our vehicle together. It’s basically the ultimate stress test for the vehicles, and some vehicles were destroyed because the design was not robust enough. The disk brake snapped in the middle, so we had to do an emergency repair and come up with an engineering solution, which was to take the brake off and race with one brake for most of the race. Our legs were like jelly afterwards.” ��Vlog��ý Little Rock placed 16th out of 47 teams for the overall competition, and a new team of students will take up the challenge of building a human-powered vehicle next year, only this time they will not be starting from scratch. The systems engineering department may eventually start a student organization dedicated to building human-powered vehicles. “It was really cool to apply our degree to a tangible product that we made,” Benfer said. “It was cool to use what we have learned from the mechanical engineering department and use it and stress test it and watch it fall apart and fix it. We were able to use the skills we learned here at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock in a real-world setting.”

Students say goodbye to summer, hello to fall semester

��Vlog��ý Little Rock — Thu, 25 Aug 2016 18:25:12 +0000

The first day of school tends to bring a roller coaster of emotions, from excitement and anxiety to anticipation. As ��Vlog��ýLR students said their final goodbyes to summer, they turned their focus to their long-term goals and sought to make their dreams come true. Audrey Kelley, an 18-year-old sophomore from Rogers, Arkansas, is dedicated to helping others.

Audrey Kelley

To turn her passion into a reality, Kelley hopes to obtain her degree in human resources and work in Walmart’s corporate office in Bentonville. While attending ��Vlog��ýLR her freshman year, Kelley joined forces with the campus ministry Chi Alpha and had the opportunity to spend this past summer in Africa on a mission trip. As she settles into the new school year, she plans to put lessons learned this summer into action. “This year, I want to get to know a lot of freshmen, and just love on them the way that God loves me,” she said.

Love what you do; do what you love

Not only does ��Vlog��ýLR have students who enjoy helping one another, but its students also push others to succeed.

Dillon Nash

Dillon Nash is a 22-year-old first-year graduate student from Brinkley, Arkansas, who seeks nothing but the best for incoming students. “I am so thrilled to kick off the new school year and engage with so many freshmen,” he said. Nash is a graduate assistant for the Chancellor’s Leadership Corps working with more than 230 students. Having participated in the corps all four years of his undergraduate career, Nash looks forward to seeing the growth and progression of ��Vlog��ýLR’s future leaders. Today, he has outlined his goals five years into the future. Nash plans to continue inspiring students at universities as he fulfills his goal to work in student affairs.

The road less traveled

The desire to help others is a driving force for many students this semester. However, there are others whose self-motivation pushes them one step further. Twenty-one-year-old Dipesh Patel is a Little Rock native who wants to tear down personal stereotypes.

Sid Patel

Dipesh Patel

“I never liked the stereotypical doctor thing with Indians. I wanted to be different,” he said. Patel is a criminal justice major who is ecstatic about enlisting in the military in spring 2017. He has always been a fan of the television show “Law and Order” and couldn’t wait to get exposed to the real thing. Now that Patel is headed down his chosen path, he hopes to encourage his best friend to live out his own dreams. Sid Patel, a 22-year-old senior moved to Arkansas from India about six years ago. He and Dipesh instantly became friends and are now inseparable. As his friend prepares to leave to start his newest venture, Sid has his thoughts centered on continuing his education. His major in physics and minor in information technology is sure to keep him busy, but for him, there’s no turning back. With plans to pursue an additional degree, Sid sees his first day of the semester as a head start into his future.

There’s a first time for everything

For many upperclassmen, transitioning from fun in the sun to homework and class lectures seems to be a breeze. For first time students, it might take a moment to get the ball rolling.

Princess Bell

Princess Bell is a 17-year-old freshman from Blytheville, Arkansas, with her eyes set on nursing school. Although she is motivated to do her best, adjusting to college life has been a bit of a struggle. Bell spent her first day crying because she missed her parents. As she begins to settle in, she plans on breaking out of her comfort zone and meeting new people. Her primary objective this semester is to make the dean’s list, so she looks forward to staying grounded and focused on her work.

Stairway to success

Breaking in new books and engaging with unfamiliar professors might be the highlight of the day for some, but for this next student, hitting the finish line is all she can think about.

Lottie Richardson

Lottie Richardson, a 20-year-old first year senior from Little Rock, Arkansas, is beginning her senior year with so much on her plate. As a mechanical systems engineering major with a double minor in mathematics and chemistry, time is more precious than it has ever been. With a goal set for a 4.0 grade point average, Richardson is determined to stay focus. After completing her bachelor’s degree, she looks forward to heading to medical school. Along the way, she aims to go on a medical mission trip to Africa to assist those in need. Five years from today, Richardson longs to have her white coat and be in the process of opening a children’s clinic in central Arkansas. Now that the first day jitters have come to an end, students are ready to start the semester off strong.

- University News Archive - ����Vlog��ý Little Rock

����Vlog��ý Little Rock student researches how to improve lift capabilities, flight times in drones

Two ����Vlog��ý Little Rock programs earn accreditation

����Vlog��ý Little Rock students compete in university’s first human powered vehicle challenge

Students say goodbye to summer, hello to fall semester

- University News Archive - ��Vlog��ý Little Rock

��Vlog��ý Little Rock student researches how to improve lift capabilities, flight times in drones

Two ��Vlog��ý Little Rock programs earn accreditation

��Vlog��ý Little Rock students compete in university’s first human powered vehicle challenge