Mechanical Engineering

This course teaches students to use MATLAB for data processing, visualization, simulation, and analysis; apply probability models, estimate their parameters and test their fit to data; apply reliability theory to devices and networks; and perform predictive modelling tasks using regression and time series analysis.

Students are required to undertake a group design project that runs from September to April of the following year. The project topics are stipulated either by teachers or by industrial sponsors. Each project group has two teachers acting as supervisors and an additional teacher serving as moderator. During the course of the project, supervisors communicate with the students and the concerned project sponsor to monitor the project progress. At the completion of the project, each project student presents
his/her achievements to the supervisors, moderator and sponsor via a written report and an oral presentation. This course aims to: (1) provide a problem-based learning experience for students to learn how to apply scientific knowledge and team-work approach to tackle design/engineering problems systematically, and (2) strengthen students’ inter-personal and communication skills through interaction with teammates, supervisors and sponsors. Typical project activities include: problem identification & definition; research into information pertaining to the problem, design & analysis; materials sourcing; communication; conducting experiments/making prototypes for verification and demonstration of results; writing reports and giving oral presentations.

This course is on the fundamental principles of heat transfer, covering heat conduction, heat convection and heat exchangers. The course objectives are: (1) to provide an understanding of fundamental principles of heat transfer; and (2) to enable students to use the fundamental principles for conducting thermal analysis and design of engineering problems. At the end of this course, students who fulfill the requirements of this course will be able to: (1) demonstrate an understanding of the principles that govern heat transfer processes; (2) analyze heat-transfer problems quantitatively; and (3) identify relevant engineering solutions in thermal systems. Topics include: Fourier’s law; heat-conduction equation; thermal conductivity; conduction; fins; basic convection principles; laminar and turbulent heat transfer in tubes and over plates; Reynolds analogy; types of heat exchangers; overall heat-transfer coefficient; log mean temperature difference; effectiveness-NTU method; heat exchanger design.

This course teaches students to acquire the knowledge and ability to design and analyze complex mechanical systems. This teaches students about the design process, product design specification, computer-aided design, design for manufacturing, equivalent stresses and failure criteria, transmissions and machine elements, prototyping, fatigue, shaft design, practical workshop skills, conceptual design, motors and batteries, design in plastics, ergonomics, and intellectual property.

This course covers the key concepts of the different modes of heat transfer (conduction, convection and radiation) and principles of heat exchangers. It develops proficiency in applying these heat transfer concepts and principles, to analyze and solve practical engineering problems involving heat transfer processes. Topics include introduction to heat transfer; steady state heat conduction; transient heat conduction; lumped capacitance; introduction to convective heat transfer; external forced convection; internal forced convection; natural/free convection; blackbody radiation and radiative properties; radiative exchange between surfaces; introduction to heat exchangers and basic calculation of overall heat transfer coefficient. The course requires students to take prerequisites.

Topics covered provide students with a comprehensive knowledge, theoretical and applied, to design and realize a full mechatronic system. The course content includes an overview of Control systems, modelling of dynamic systems, Laplace Transforms, Root locus, Steady state errors, final value theorem, Frequency response analysis, Bode diagrams, Compensation, and PID Controllers.

Handling commercial finite element software, solving a complex stress analysis problem, obtaining background information on advanced strength of materials theory, solving engineering problems collaboratively in teams, presenting and documenting results. Preparatory lecture series: introduction to components and materials of microelectronics and the surface mount technology (SMT), basic mechanics of elastoplastic deformable bodies, introduction to the concepts of the commercial finite element software ABAQUS. Homework assignments: learning and using the finite element software ABAQUS. Project period: literature review, finite element based stress and durability analysis of a SMT component, presentation and documentation of achieved results.

This course builds on previous stress analysis courses by extending the concepts of linear elasticity to two and three dimensions, as the basis for advanced stress analysis. Topics covered include complex stresses and strains, Mohr’s circle, failure criteria, shear stresses in beams, thick-walled cylinders, plastic failure and buckling of struts. The course enables students to develop sufficient familiarity with stress analysis and strength of materials to design a safe and reliable load-bearing component of simple geometry (or to assess the safety of an existing one).

This course teaches the fundamental laws of thermodynamics and how they can be used to solve a range of simple engineering problems. The pace of the course takes account of students' lack of familiarity with the subject from pre-university studies. The aim of the lectures and tutorials is to develop analytical skills and some design appreciation, involving awareness of the interaction between thermodynamics and considerations of energy resources, materials, solid mechanics, economics, the environment, etc.

This course reinforces students' previous knowledge of stress analysis, and extends this knowledge to more advanced theories and techniques, and to apply these to practical problems. Most of these are developments of methods which have been previously acquired but to more sophisticated problems. New areas of thermal stresses, plastic deformation and residual stresses are treated and a new technique of analysis using energy methods is also introduced and developed.