The research presented in this dissertation focuses on the model generation and modeling processes of student teams that participate in capstone, undergraduate engineering physical and virtual laboratory projects. The Heat Exchange Laboratory Project, the Ion Exchange Laboratory Project, and the Virtual Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) Laboratory Project provide the context...
The Virtual Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) Process Development Project provides the context for the two areas of the research presented in this dissertation. The first area, generally referred to as feedback in this dissertation, focuses on student learning and the interactions of students and instructors that take place in the...
There are approximately 2.2 million cases of End-stage Renal Disease (ESRD) worldwide and current hemodialysis treatment is costly and ultimately insufficient compared to kidney transplantation. There is a strong need to arrive at a better solution for treating ESRD. Microchannel-based hemodialysis is one proposed option, already shown to have improved...
Exergy relates to thermodynamic value or usefulness in the universe. In this dissertation, three methods in the realm of "process intensification" are explored to reduce exergy destruction by equipment and processes that are used to convert and upgrade methane. Thermodynamic efficiency of a virtual heat exchanger is improved with a...
Successful cryopreservation of all biological specimens would have an untold positive impact on medicine and scientific research. However, cryopreservation of the most complex biological specimens, such as tissues and organs, remains elusive. Vitrification, or ice-free cryopreservation, is promising for cryopreservation of complex specimens. The biggest challenge, though, is the toxicity...