CAR student researcher Luke DeBruin rates first place at Denman Undergraduate Research Forum

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The results of the Denman Undergraduate Research Forum are in, and Luke DeBruin, mechanical engineering student researcher from CAR, has achieved a first place rating in the engineering category! DeBruin's project, Energy and Feasibility Analysis of Gasoline Engine Start/Stop Technology, was judged 'one of the best' in all categories: poster presentation, oral presentation and research achievement.

 

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Luke DeBruin presents at the Denman Undergraduate Research Forum.

The Denman Undergraduate Research Forum, created in 1996 by the Undergraduate Research Office, the University Honors & Scholars Center, and the Office of Research, is an opportunity to showcase outstanding student research and encourage all undergraduates to participate in research as a value-added element of their education.

Assistant professor Marcello Canova, DeBruin's advisor, says "Luke is an outstanding student with an incredible passion for engineering and learning. This award is a true recognition of his talent and dedication". Also guiding the project was Fabio Chiara, research scientist at CAR.

DeBruin's project is part of a large research project that CAR is developing in collaboration with Chrysler Group LLC and the U.S. Department of Energy. This project aims at improving the fuel economy of passenger vehicles by 25%, only by improving the efficiency of the powertrain components. To this extent, CAR is exploring system-level solutions aiming at reducing the impact of vehicle ancillary loads on fuel consumption.

Among various solutions, stop/start technology allows for the engine to be shut down when the vehicle is stopped, and restarted as soon as power is needed. With guidance from the CAR and Chrysler Group team members, DeBruin has created a model to simulate engine start transients for different component packages. Results suggest that traditional starter/battery combinations may be appropriate and a fuel savings of over 5% may be expected in regulatory urban driving cycles. The model and selected component package will be used for development and control of a stop/start system in a test vehicle.

About the experience DeBruin says, "having industry judges was very helpful and I learned a lot from them. They understood all the components of my project and provided great feedback."

Other first place winners in engineering are Grant Yang (advisors Bradley Clymer and Petra Schmalbrock) and Michael Vignos (advisor Robert Siston).  See full results here.

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About  Richard J. and Martha D. Denman Undergraduate Research Forum
The Denman Undergraduate Research Forum was created in 1996 and is a cooperative effort of the Undergraduate Research Office, the University Honors & Scholars Center, and the Office of Research. The Forum is an opportunity to showcase outstanding student research and encourage all undergraduates to participate in research as a value-added element of their education.

Mr. and Mrs. Denman are long-time members of The Ohio State University community and also have established a Professorship for Clinical Research in Epilepsy. In addition, both are Inaugural Members of The Oval Society, established in 2010. Mr. Denman served as an Ohio State University Foundation Board Director (1985-2003) and is now an emeritus member of the Board, as well as a lifetime member of the President’s Club, The Ohio State Alumni Association, and the College of Medicine’s Order of Hippocrates. In 1996, the University presented him with a Distinguished Service Award.