Grand Challenge Scholars Program Portfolio
Research
Gold
Senior Design Project
ENCH 444/446
My research experience involved designing, implementing, controlling, and optimizing chemical processes and machinery in the manufacturing industry. This project was divided into two semesters. These were my two capstone courses, ENCH 444/446. In the first semester the professor taught us about how to piece all the contents from chemical engineering classes together to design a chemical process. In the second semester we are expected to design a chemical process again with less input from the professors. This research experience meets the overall expectations for grand challenge because both classes combined are over 270 hours total. It also meets the core learning objectives of this program such as effective communication, disciplinary communication, creativity, understanding ethical conduct. In this project, we were assigned a team and worked together to complete a manufacturing process of Ethanol and Drying Oil and present it to the whole chemical engineering department.
Learning Objectives
Program Wide Learning Objective
Teamwork
My research experience contributes to the learning objectives teamwork, during the project we were assigned into teams. As a team we had to work together to come up with most efficient chemical process. While working with others I was able to identify my strengths and weaknesses. I was able to learn so much by communicating with other in my team.
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Persistence
During the project we faced many challenges such as computer crashing, strange answers from MATLAB code, and overloaded with a lot of other classwork. Even through the challenges we persevered. This contributes to the learning objective of persistence
Core Research Learning Objective
Predict, recognize, and weigh the risks and benefits of the project for others.
We had to think about chemical waste and how we can use the byproducts to save money. We had to take environmental consideration into effect and prevent harmful hazardous chemicals from leaking into the atmosphere.
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Write clearly and effectively
I had to write reports every single week, and then got feedback from peers and the professor. For the final report we had to fix our mistakes and combine everything and wrote a whole manual for the design process.
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Understand how practitioners think within the discipline and view the world around them.
By bIn real world, life is all about money. It’s about losing or gaining money. Hence, we had to conduct profitability analysis and optimized our machines to create a product without having to use too much money. We had to think about the lifetime of the equipment and think about the best way to replace them.
Personalized Learning Objective
Use time well to ensure work is accomplished and meets deadlines.
My research experience contributes to the learning objective because throughout the semester we had to write reports about different topics. The reports were due almost every week. We had to work in advance, sometimes on weekend and sometimes late at nights to complete our work by the deadline.
Accept constructive criticism and apply feedback effectively.
To grow and learn it is critical to accept criticism and apply feedback. For our senior project we had peer review on the written reports every week. By the end of the semester, we had to apply the feedback and write a final report that was graded by the professor and teaching assistant. We also got feedback while presenting our project.
Reflection
Engaging in the Grand Challenge Scholars Program (GCSP) and undertaking a research experience in engineering the tools of scientific discovery has been an incredibly rewarding journey for me. One significant aspect of my research involved desigining a efficient and economical chemical process for drying oil and ethanol. This experience not only solidified my technical knowledge but also highlighted the transformative power of engineering in addressing real-world challenges. During the course of this research experience, I was faced with the task of developing a process that effectively produces high purity of drying oil and ethanol, enhancing their quality. The project required a comprehensive understanding of chemical engineering principles, thermodynamics, and mass transfer mechanisms. Through extensive literature review, and collaboration with my team, peers and advisor, I gained a deeper appreciation for the complexity and intricacy of designing efficient chemical processes. One of the most gratifying aspects of this research experience was witnessing the direct impact of my work on practical applications. The process I designed had the potential to significantly improve the quality and shelf life of oil and ethanol products, making them more viable and sustainable in various industries. This realization further fueled my passion for engineering and reaffirmed the importance of developing innovative solutions that address global challenges. Moreover, this research experience emphasized the interdisciplinary nature of engineering and the integration of various fields of knowledge. I had the opportunity to collaborate with professionals from diverse backgrounds, including chemists, materials scientists, and industry experts. Engaging in such interdisciplinary collaboration broadened my perspective and enhanced my ability to approach problems from multiple angles, considering different factors and constraints. In addition to technical skills, this research experience also fostered the development of invaluable transferable skills. I learned to effectively communicate my ideas, findings, and recommendations through presentations, technical reports, and discussions with my peers and faculty. I also enhanced my critical thinking, problem-solving, and project management abilities, as I navigated through the challenges and complexities of the research process. Furthermore, participating in the GCSP provided a platform for reflecting on the broader societal implications of my research. I recognized the importance of sustainability and the need to develop environmentally friendly and energy-efficient processes. This experience sparked a sense of responsibility within me to consider the social, economic, and environmental impacts of my engineering decisions, emphasizing the significance of responsible and ethical engineering practices. One significant lesson I learned is my ability to adapt and thrive in an interdisciplinary environment. Working on projects like designing a chemical process for drying oil and ethanol during my chemical engineering capstone class, I discovered my aptitude for integrating knowledge from various disciplines, such as chemistry, process engineering, and thermodynamics. I found joy and excitement in navigating the complexities of multiple fields and synthesizing diverse concepts to develop innovative solutions. One thing that I learned about my self is my ability to adapt and thrive in an interdisciplinary environment. Working on projects like designing a chemical process for drying oil and ethanol during my chemical engineering capstone class, I discovered my aptitude for integrating knowledge from various disciplines, such as chemistry, process engineering, and thermodynamics. I found joy and excitement in navigating the complexities of multiple fields and synthesizing diverse concepts to develop innovative solutions. In conclusion, my GCSP research experience in designing a chemical process for drying oil and ethanol has been an enlightening and fulfilling journey. It has deepened my technical knowledge, honed my problem-solving skills, and broadened my perspective on the role of engineering in scientific discovery. This experience has equipped me with the necessary tools and mindset to tackle complex challenges, contribute to innovative solutions, and make a positive impact in the field of chemical engineering. I am grateful for the opportunities provided by the GCSP, and I am excited to continue my journey as an engineer, utilizing the skills and knowledge gained through this research experience to contribute to the advancement of science, engineering, and sustainable technologies.