DCU Expo 2024 - Final Year Projects

97 201. ExtremumSeeking Control This project serves as a critical analysis of the extremum-seeking control algorithm, providing an explanation of its principles and exploring real-world applications. Extremum-seeking control excels at optimising the performance of dynamic systems. Through modelling an extremum-seeking controller and dynamic systems inMATLAB and Simulink, this project evaluates the algorithm’s performance against other conventional control strategies. By comparing simulation outcomes, this project aims to demonstrate the potential effectiveness of the extremum-seeking control algorithm in enhancing systemperformance. Student Programme Mechatronic Engineering (Year 4) Project Area Control Systems, Mechatronic Systems Project Technology Matlab, Simulink Student Name(s) Cameron Stewart Email cameron.stewart8@mail.dcu.ie Supervisor Dr Pascal Landais 202. Hydrodynamics of Co-CurrentAir LoopReactors Intended forMicroplasticRemoval Microplastics and wastewater debris have been driven to the forefront of the environmental crisis, posing a severe threat to the health of organisms and ecosystems due to humanity’s unavoidable generation of waste. Air loop reactors incorporating aeration-induced flows (bubbly flows) have been gaining traction, acting as a viable solution to combat these contaminants. This project entails the design and construction of an apparatus with intricate piping (influenced by air loop reactors), dedicated to the exploration of bubbly flows for utilisation in this project. Through experimental analysis in combination with a comprehensive review of the literature, this project aims to provide insight into the hydrodynamics of bubble production and their ability to enhance water treatment. Student Programme Biomedical Engineering (Year 5) Project Area FluidMechanics, Water Treatment Project Technology Excel/VB, Matlab, Solidworks Student Name(s) Jonathan O’Reilly Email jonathan.oreilly52@mail.dcu.ie Supervisor Dr CornéMuilwijk 203. Design of a Renewable Energy-Based Antifouling Solution for aMarine Test Platform The objective of this project is to use air bubbles to build a renewable energy-based antifouling solution for amarine test platform. Lab-based tests will be used to examine the properties of underwater air bubbles and determine how effective they will be in combating fouling. Using SolidWorks, a 3Dmodelling programme, the mechanical design for the test rig’s manufacture was completed. Video of the air bubble motion was taken and analysed using image process analyses via Python. Finally, a holistic solution was designed which includes the selection and sizing of the renewable energy source, battery, air dispenser and air pump. Student Programme Mechanical and Sustainability Engineering Project Area 3-DModelling, FluidMechanics, Image/Video Processing, Mechanical Design andManufacture, Motion Analysis, Renewable Energy Technology Project Technology Excel/VB, Python, Solidworks Student Name(s) Sol Lee Email sollee023@gmail.com Supervisor Yan Delauré