BlackboardEngineering Students Recognized at the 2010 Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Awards Symposium
The 2010 Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Awards Symposium held September 30, 2010, at the Augustus B. Turnbull III Florida State Conference Center, celebrated outstanding undergraduate student research. 15 undergraduates presented projects, which have enhanced their undergraduate experience by taking on directed research and creative activity under the supervision and mentorship of some of Florida State University's most distinguished faculty.
The FAMU-FSU College of Engineering is proud to acknowledge two engineering students, Duncan Haldane, Mechanical Engineering and Karina Subieta, Chemical Engineering, who received undergraduate research awards this year.
Duncan Haldane is a Mechanical Engineering major entering his senior year at Florida State University. His research is focused on the applications of smart materials in modern robotics. He plans to pursue a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering.
Abstract
Design of a Variable Stiffness Leg for Dynamic Running Using Applied Smart Materials
Duncan Haldane
Supervising Professor: Dr. Jonathan Clark
Recent developments in robotic locomotion have focused on establishing the passive compliance of the running leg such that the dynamics of the system are tuned for optimal performance. This approach limits the adaptability of the robot by optimizing performance only for a specific range of conditions. Simulations show that manipulating the stiffness of the running leg is the most effective way to adapt to various operating conditions. The goal of this project is to develop a robust variable stiffness leg for the Edubot platform, a hexapedal robot. These legs maintain the same morphology as the standard legs for the platform to allow for direct comparison of dynamic performance. This summer I determined the optimal composite layup, six layers of 12K IM-7 Carbon Fiber layered in alternating directions, which would give the desired leg stiffness, and allow for adjustment of that stiffness. By incorporating a class of smart materials called shape memory polymers, the stiffness of the leg can be changed by simply heating it. I formulated a custom shape memory polymer resin to create part of the composite leg. The resultant leg maintains mechanical strength and is capable of a significant change in stiffness.
Karina Subieta is a senior Chemical Engineering major with interests in bioengineering and alternative energy technologies. Upon graduation, she plans to continue her education in graduate school with the hopes that her work will help people and the environment. Karina is the inaugural recipient of the David B. Ford Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Award.
ABSTRACT
Sugar Analysis During Enzymatic Hydrolysis of Biomass
Karina Subieta
Supervising Professor: Dr. Subramanian Ramakrishnan
Karina Subieta, The David B. Ford Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Award Supervising Professor: Dr. Subramanian Ramakrishnan Conversion of biomass to biofuels and value-added chemicals is an appealing route to reduce our dependence on petroleum-based fuels and products. A typical biomass conversion to biofuels is composed of the following steps: (1) pretreatment of the biomass by dissolving it in a solvent (2) hydrolysis of the biomass to simple sugars using enzyme activity and (3) conversion of the sugars to biofuels and chemicals by microbes. In many cases, the pretreatment solvent inactivates the enzymes, so all traces of the solvent must be removed before adding the enzymes to the biomass, which raises the cost of biomass conversion.
In this research, an in situ enzymatic hydrolysis process was tested in which the biomass was dissolved in a pretreatment solvent and enzymes are added directly to the reaction mixture. Therefore, the utilization of an effective pretreatment solvent in which the enzymes remain active is key. Pretreatment solvents tested were N-methyl morpholine N-oxide (NMMO) and two ionic liquids: 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium diethyl phosphate. Research has shown that they are excellent solvents of cellulose and safer alternatives to traditional pretreatment solvents. The yield of the sugars produced during enzymatic hydrolysis is critical as it highly influences how the microbes will uptake the sugars to produce biofuels.
The goals of this research were to study which sugars are formed during enzymatic hydrolysis of biomass and how sugar yields are affected by pretreatment solvent and experimental conditions such as solution pH and enzyme loading.
