Design-Build 3: solar cooker

• Go from a concept through a design process to a design that meets a stated set of requirements
• Given a technical system, recognize sub-systems on the basis of their functionality
• Build a multi-physics model with a radiation heat source (the sun), reflections, absorbance and heat transport in solid media
• Utilise the multi-physics model to optimise your own design for the best performance
• Reflect on the process of material selection based on the intended application of the device.
• Understand and reflect on the societal needs of the solar collector, including using universal design to promote an inclusive mindset in a design process
• Apply basic control strategies to a functional prototype to maintain, for example, a desired temperature in a system
• Perform energy analysis on experimentally collected data to evaluate the performance of a prototype
• Present the design of the prototype, construction and design process in a clear manner to both a technical and non-technical audience
• Manage small projects using basic project management tools
• Assess the safety of, and safely perform a hands-on activity

Students will apply basic thermodynamics, heat transfer, material selection, surface engineering, and design principles to design a solar energy harvester in the form of a solar cooker. Students will work in groups of six to design, build and test a solar cooker and apply a system to control its temperature. System modelling and design to maximize collection of solar radiation will be key components that determine the efficacy of solar energy harvest and the appeal of the product for specific applications. Students will learn how to go quickly from a novel concept to a prototype design.

3-week intensive design-build course. Students work in groups of six to design a small solar collector and then build and test it using prototyping techniques such as laser cutting and 3D printing. During the course there will be a few introductory lectures, while most of the course is devoted to hands-on activities related to designing, building and testing the prototype.

This course is part of the mandatory study plan for BSc in General Engineering and will build on knowledge gathered from the previous two design-build courses. Only students from BSc in General Engineering can take this course.

Please be aware that due to the risk of harmful effects you can NOT follow this course if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. If you have questions regarding the above, please contact the course responsible.

Minimum: 10.

Please be aware that this course will only be held if the required minimum number of participants is met. You will be informed 8 days before the start of the course, whether the course will be held.