VANCOUVER – The National Science Foundation has awarded two grants valued at $262,000 to Hakan Gurocak, director of the School of Engineering and Computer Science at WSU Vancouver.
Gurocak is elated to have two project proposals accepted by the competitive National Science Foundation (NSF).
“It’s very difficult to receive one grant from the National Science Foundation, so I am very excited to receive two,” said Gurocak. “It puts WSU Vancouver on the map as a research university.”
Motion and learning
Gurocak’s project, “Integrated Approach for Mechatronics Education Using Industrial Motion Control Technology and Active Learning,” was awarded $142,000. The project will explore the impact of new teaching approaches in engineering education in a course on automation. The funding will allow for the development of a new motion-control laboratory in the Engineering and Life Sciences building at WSU Vancouver and will enhance STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education by working with industry partners.
In addition to furthering the education of WSU Vancouver engineering students, Gurocak will work closely with the Vancouver School District to develop a curriculum module that highlights engineering and the importance of math and science for middle and high school students. This new curriculum will be used when students visit the state-of-the-art motion-control laboratory on field trips to the university.
Magnetic flields and fluids
Gurocak’s second proposal to the NSF, “New Magnetorheological Actuator with Embedded Hall-Effect Sensor for Hysteresis Elimination,” was awarded $120,000.
A magnetorheological (MR) fluid is a type of “smart” fluid that can change its viscosity when subjected to magnetic fields. The ability to control the fluid’s behavior magnetically, e.g. changing from a slippery machine oil state to a sticky peanut butter state, gives rise to many potential applications.
Devices that use this fluid can be seen in many applications including haptics (touch sensation technology), exercise equipment, robotics, prosthetics, vibration control, the game industry, rehabilitation equipment, automobile suspensions and tactile displays. However, due to the changing nature of the fluid, accurate control of the devices is challenging. Gurocak will research a new design methodology and develop a new MR-brake actuator with an embedded sensor. The results of this research have the potential to transform the state-of-the-art MR-brake technology into a smart actuator technology.
NSF and WSU Vancouver
The NSF is an independent federal agency created by Congress to promote the progress of science. It is the funding source for approximately 20 percent of all federally supported research conducted by America’s colleges and universities. Since 1997, WSU Vancouver has been awarded $8.9 million in grants from the NSF.