COURSES
Statics: ME221
Strength of Materials: ME222
Dynamics: ME361
Thermodynamics: ME201
Engineering Math: ME391
Continuum Mechanics: ME820
Biomechanical Design: ME497
Biomechanical design is an elective for juniors and
seniors. The course is a joint course with MKT420, which is a
Marketing and New Product Development (NPD) class. This course is
unique in that the new product being developed stems from ideas and
interests generated by the students in the class. The students
form groups which must include both engineers and marketing
individuals. The groups then utilize NPD steps that are followed
by today's leading industries to justify the market need for their
product and develop a functional prototype, have consumers evaluate the prototype and modify it based on the feedback.
ME 481 Mechanical Engineering Design
Fall 2009 Humanitarian Project for Sparrow Hospital Pediatric Rehabilitation:
Group led by Bush won the Best Oral Presentation Award
The project proposed by the Sparrow Pediatric
Rehabilitation Center was to design and construct a pediatric exerciser
that motivates children to reach their rehabilitation goals, while
providing patients with a sense of fun and enthusiasm during their physical therapy sessions. The target
audience consisted of patients aged four to ten years, with varying
anthropometrics and muscular abilities.
This task was accomplished by developing several
design concepts balancing effective physical therapy with engaging
stimulation. The final exerciser was designed to focus on targeting
both the upper and lower extremities of the patient, while integrating
a fun factor. To meet this challenge, a recumbent cycle for the legs
and an arm rowing motion inside a child-friendly car was designed.
While the fun factor included the aesthetically-pleasing car design, the
continuous physical activity of the patient was rewarded with simulated
car motion (moving the car up off the ground and back down, and
visual feedback.
Spring 2006 Humanitarian Project:
Group led by Bush won the Edison Scholar Award which is presented for the best overall project.
Our project was the development of bicycle to be used for
rehabilitation and physical therapy for children from 3-8 years of
age.The bike included a cranking mechanism that could be driven by two
hands or isolate one hand for therapy. The same ability was
available for the pedals and both the hand crank and pedals could be
used together. The cycle also contained a handle in the rear for
the therapist to assist with movement and to turn the cycle around.