Masters Degrees (Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering)
Recent Submissions
-
Conjugate heat transfer analysis of an impingement/effusion cooled combustor liner
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2020-03)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The design of gas turbine combustors is a costly, iterative process which is heavily reliant on empirical modelling. To facilitate the design of novel low emissions combustors, a multi-fidelity design ... -
Design, manufacture and hydrodynamic evaluation of a prototype trileaflet mechanical heart valve for aortic valve replacement
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2020-03)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: A rigid trileaflet heart valve for aortic valve replacement was designed and prototypes were developed for testing purposes. Due to the prevalence of rheumatic heart disease in developing countries, a ... -
Investigating the evolution of modularity in neural networks
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2020-03)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Neural networks are not inherently interpretable as a direct consequence of their operating principle and the high dimensional opacity of their internal computations. The neural network interpretability ... -
The improvement of a battery thermal management system for an electric vehicle
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2020-03)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The increasing cost of fossil fuels, along with the growing concern over climate change, has sparked renewed interest in the research and development of Electric Vehicles (EVs). This thesis focusses on ... -
The influence of music on concentration in individuals with ADHD
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2020-03)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The aim of the present study was to determine whether different musical experiences can influence concentration in a positive way. As a result, determining whether music can be used as an alternative ... -
Numerical analysis of windscreen effects on air-cooled condenser fan performance and blade loading
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2020-03)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Wind is recognized as the most significant challenge facing air-cooled condenser (ACC) performance. Wind exacerbates the flow distortions that occur at the fan unit inlets, which aggravates fan performance ... -
Design of a soft pheumatic oscillator
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University., 2020-03)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The field of soft robotics and more specifically flexible fluidic actuators makes use of conventional control systems that are usually tethered and cumbersome. This project followed a systems engineering ... -
Design and development of a morphing wing utilising flexible materials
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University., 2020-03)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Aircraft wings are required to operate in a multitude of different aerodynamic conditions. To compensate for these varying conditions, modern aircraft are equipped with devices that can alter the ... -
Operational modal analysis on the SA Agulhas II
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University., 2020-03)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Full-scale operational measurements were conducted on a polar vessel during an expedition to Antarctica. Accelerometers distributed along the length of the vessel were used to capture vertical, lateral ... -
Mechanical behaviour of additive manufactured lattice structures
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2020-03)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Lattice structures are open-cell, strut-based structures made up of unit cells that are tessellated in 3 orthogonal directions. Depending on the physical design of the unit cell, the lattice structure can ... -
Material and structural modelling of corrugated paperboard packaging for horticultural produce
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2020-03)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Corrugated paperboard is the primary packaging material for fresh horticultural produce and plays an integral part in protecting the produce from mechanical damage throughout the cold chain journey. ... -
Experimental investigation of the viability of using nano-bubbles for intravascular oxygenation
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2020-03)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In the human body sufficient oxygen supply is of utmost importance. In certain critical conditions the lungs cannot sufficiently supply the human body subsequently other forms of oxygenation are required ... -
Development of a canine knee implant
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University., 2020-03)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Patient-specific canine knee implants have the potential to restore lost mobility to knees experiencing joint degradation. Due to high costs associated with current implant solutions, this research focused ... -
Slurry formulation for gel-cast titanium
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2020-04)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In this study, commercially pure titanium (CPTi) parts were gel-cast. Gel-casting is a ceramic forming technology developed in the early 1990’s. Titanium is popular in the aerospace and biomedical industries ... -
Numerical investigation of heat transfer enhancement in solar receiver tubes
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University., 2020-03)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Concentrated solar power (CSP) could serve as a viable means of meeting the demands of an increasing rise in electricity requirements, as well as, being a means to produce clean and renewable energy. ... -
The effect of hub configuration on the performance of an air-cooled steam condenser fan
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University., 2020-03)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Axial flow fans used in air-cooled condensers are typically analysed with smooth rounded hubs due to their superior performance. However, such a hub increases the manufacturing and installation costs ... -
Characterisation of synergestic and antagonistic petrol component chemical class effects on octane blending behaviour
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2020-03)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Knock free operation has influenced the development of internal combustion (IC) engine technology and spark ignition (SI) fuels. Knock is the noise associated with the harmful and abnormal combustion ... -
A thermal simulation tool for CubeSats for dynamic in-orbit scenarios, verified with flight data from the nSight-1 mission
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2020-03)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Thermal analysis is one of the aspects of designing CubeSats that has historically received less attention than more directly mission critical aspects such as power and communications budgets, and attitude ... -
Design and validation of a hip and quadriceps assembly mechanism for a knee squat simulator
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University., 2020-03)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Given the prevalence of osteoarthritis, knee implants are continuously being improved. In vitro experiments can be used to evaluate the performance of an implant by investigating biomechanical behaviour ... -
Generative design using Lindenmayer-systems and numerical optimization
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2020-03)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Traditional methods of generative design for structural design applications typically utilise finite element analysis or other resource intensive methods. A more efficient method of design generation is ...
RSS 1.0