UG Projects

Dr. DelVescovo is proud to serve as the co-PI of the NSF sponsored Automotive and Energy Research and Industrial Mentorship (AERIM) Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) site at Oakland University. 

The AERIM program provides meaningful, hands-on, paid 10-week summer research experiences to undergraduate engineering students from across the United States. The goal of this program is to engage participants in rewarding research experiences that excite and motivate them to pursue careers in scientific and engineering research, and to address the nationwide problem of the under-representation of women and minorities in the sciences, technology, engineering and math (STEM).

For more information regarding the NSF AERIM REU site, please visit the AERIM Website. 

Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Projects

Optimizing Algae Cultivation for Carbon Capture and Biodiesel Production (Summer 2022)

Lauren Merrill (Belmont University), Noah Lemmons (Oakland University)Advisors: Dr. Sarah Beetham, Dr. Dan DelVescovo, Dr. Jonathan Maisonneuve

In this work, students built two photobioreactors to cultivate microalgae under different growing conditions and measured algal cell density and mixture absorbancy daily to track the algae growth. Scanning electron microscope images were taken (shown) of the algae after cultivation and harvest.

Channeling Vibrations: Harvesting Energy from Engine Vibrations (Summer 2022)

Daniel Lantz (LeTourneau University), Josh Kobus (Oakland University)Advisors: Dr. Chris Cooley, Dr. Dan DelVescovo

This project sought to design, build, and test a vibration energy harvester using piezoelectric bending transducers mounted to a 3-cylinder automotive engine. The device was designed to hold up to 7 piezo beams in a vertical orientation relative to the crankshaft to maximize engine vibration absorption.

CFD Modeling of Engine Cylinder Head Flow during Steady Flow Bench Testing (Summer 2021)

Natalie Marlowe (George Fox University), Elizibeth McVay (Michigan Technological University)Advisors: Dr. Dan DelVescovo, Dr. Laila Guessous

This project (conducted virtually) sought to model the in-cylinder flow and swirl in the Cooperative Fuels Research (CFR) engine cylinder head compared to steady-state flowbench experiments. Students used ANSYS Fluent CFD software to generate the mesh and simulate various flow configurations, and custom field functions to calculate swirl coefficients along the length of the cylinder. 

Simulating Powertrain Performance and Optimization under Real-World Driving Conditions (Summer 2021)

Grace Pagel (University of Wisconsin-Madison), Ethan Holt (Michigan Technological University)Advisor: Dr. Dan DelVescovo

This project (conducted virtually) investigated the fuel economy effects of different powertrain configurations under real driving conditions using GT-DRIVE software. Students developed a vehicle model of a 2020 Jeep Gladiator, and evaluated the impact of engine displacement and transmission ratios on fuel economy over real-world driving cycles. 

 Related Publications

  • DelVescovo, D., Groomes, D., Guessous, L., "Early Lessons Learned from Pivoting an REU Program to a Virtual Format", ASEE Annual Conference, NSF Grantees Poster Sessions, 2022, Minneapolis, MN
  • Yoon, Y., Romero, G., Nkemdilim-Dantzler, E., DelVescovo, D., Guessous, L., "Rule-Based Power Management Strategy of Electric-Hydraulic Hybrid Vehicles: Case Study of a Class 8 Heavy-Duty Truck", SAE Techncial Paper 2022-01-0736, 2022

Other Undergraduate Projects

Design of a Pneumatic Variable Valve Actuation (VVA) System for a Single-Cylinder Engine (Senior Project, F22)

Carolyn Jordan (Oakland University, ME), AJ VanLangen (Oakland University, ME)Advisor: Dr. Dan DelVescovo

The objective of this project is to design, construct, and test a pneumatic Variable Valve Actuation (VVA) system for a small single-cylinder engine, incorporating crank position and valve lift sensors and Arduino-based control. 

Developing an Algorithm for Minimizing Steady-State Engine Testing Time (Senior Project, W22)

Steven DeCoste (Oakland University, ECE), Antonio Scalzi (Oakland University, ME)Advisors: Dr. Dan DelVescovo, Dr. Jun Chen

The purpose of this project was to minimize the time required to conduct a specified steady-state test campaign on an IC engine. Experiments were conducted on an Armfield CM11-MKII Gasoline Engine test bench equipped with a 1.2L 3-cylinder VW engine. Engine data was continuously collected, allowing for real-time steady-state detection, and optimization of the test path. 

 Related Publications

  • DeCoste, S., Scalzi, A., Chen, J., DelVescovo, D., “Minimizing Steady-State Testing Time in an Engine Dynamometer Laboratory", SAE Technical Paper 2023-01-0209, (2023) 
  • DeCoste, S., Scalzi, A., Chen, J., DelVescovo, D., “Developing an Algorithm for Minimizing Steady State Engine Testing Time”, ASME ICE Forward 2022 Conference Undergrad Research Competition, 2022

Design, Construction, and Testing of a Swirl Meter for Steady-State Flowbench Testing (Senior Project, W21)

Phillip Marney (Oakland University, ME), Sylvia Lupa (Oakland University, ME)Advisor: Dr. Dan DelVescovo

The goal of this project was to design, build, and test a steady-state impulse-torque swirl meter for use with a Superflow SF-750 flowbench. The swirl meter was then used to measure swirl coefficients of the CFR engine cylinder head with both the stock shrouded valve, and an unshrouded valve.