DCU Expo 2023 Final Year Projects

47 63. Development of an Energy FlowModel for Freeze Drying The project’s main aimwas to develop amodel capable of forecasting primary drying times in a freeze-drying process. The model was integrated with the ability to calculate the thermodynamic work done by the primary systems, including shelf fluid, refrigeration, and pressure systems, based upon user-specified equipment inputs. Additionally, it determines the total heat transfer from the freeze-dryer to the product during the process. This model is hoped to provide a comprehensive understanding of the process and the thermodynamic work involved. Class Mechanical andManufacturing Engineering (Year 5) Project Area Educational, Energy Conservation, Thermodynamics, Pharmaceutical Technology Project Technology Excel/VB Student Name(s) Adam Lloyd Email adam.lloyd5@mail.dcu.ie Supervisor Dr AnneMorrissey 64. Gravitational Energy Storage Control System This project investigates gravitational energy storage systems and how they compare with alternative stores of energy. These systems use excess energy to lift amass to a suspended height when there is an energy surplus, and can later lower it and generate current as it moves vertically down. Class Mechanical andManufacturing Engineering (Year 4) Project Area 3-DModelling, AdditiveManufacturing, Arduino, Mechanical Design and Manufacture, Sensor Data Project Technology Solidworks Student Name(s) Eoghan Buckley Email eoghan.buckley26@mail.dcu.ie Supervisor Dr GregMcNamara 65. Hydrogel Actuated Latex Valve System for Automated Assay Implementation on Lab-on-a-Disc Platforms The aimof this project was the design, development and testing of novel passive closing valve systems for centrifugal microfluidic platforms. Hydrogel-actuated latex valves will enable automated liquid routing for complex biological assays by allowing for greater sequential on-disc unit operations, expanding the capabilities and capacity of the platform for point-of-care testing. Class Biomedical Engineering (Year 4) Project Area 3-DModelling, Biomedical Engineering, Device Design, FluidMechanics, Materials Testing Project Technology Solidworks, microfluidics, AUTOCAD Student Name(s) Winona Bolton Email winona.bolton2@mail.dcu.ie Supervisor Dr Eadaoin Carthy