Internet of things: Remote integrated laboratory activities in green energy manufacturing and energy management learning modules: Heat exchangers efficiency, the design perspective

Abstract

While the world moves fast towards implementing strategies, policies and ultimately technologies that helps alleviate the climate change though sustainable energy systems, the educational programs and their components should follow suit, adapting to the new challenges. During the past decade and beyond, the traditional lecture based courses in "thermal-fluid" area were subjected to various improvements and changes by educators in their effort to introduce industry-like experiential activities in order to enhance and complement the lectured material and attempt to improve students' understanding. However, due to increased cost of the equipment paired with limited physical space, these endeavors seem to fade. As a result of the funded educational research though a DOED grant, we developed remote-operated experiential activities aimed to enhance the theoretical approach of the traditional Thermal-fluid area courses. These activities are manufacturing industry-inspired and oriented towards green and sustainable manufacturing, including integration of renewable energy sources into the manufacturing industry. The remote-operated platforms may be used to deliver knowledge to students in different locations, including disadvantaged communities of students that may otherwise not have access to this type of education. The modules are described in detail, including student assessment, student feedback as pertinent to student learning outcomes.