1. Energy Systems – Customer Needs
Category
Number
Description
Attributes A1
Environmentally friendly A2
Operates in broad temperature ranges A3
Minimize weight A4
Reliable A5
Reduced refuel time
Energy Storage
ES1
Able to store energy
ES2
High energy density
ES3
Reliable storage
ES4
Minimal energy decay
ES5
Energy stored safely
Energy Generation
EG1
Reliable generation
EG2
Minimize heat losses
EG3
Maximize efficiency
Constraints
CO1
Fits within budget
CO2
Fits within package
CO3
Waterproof
CO4
Incorporate new technologies
CO5
Untethered
Easy to Maintain M1
Requires infrequent maintenance M2
Easy to repair M3
Durable/rugged M4
Corrosion-resistant
These customer needs represent the interpretation of needs that we obtained from our customer related to energy systems.
November 14, 2018
Rochester Institute of Technology

2. Energy Systems – RIT Strengths/Research
Thermoelectric Research (Dr. Stevens)
Thermoelectric energy recovery
Fuel Cell Research (Dr. Kolodziej & Dr. Kandlikar)
PEM Fuel Cell
SOFC Fuel Cell
Fuel Cell Laboratory
Study PEM fuel cells supplied with hydrogen and oxygen
Past Senior Design Projects
Solar Stirling Engine
Thermoelectric Power Pack
Photovoltaic Energy Harvesting
Micro-Hydro Generator
November 14, 2018
Rochester Institute of Technology

3. Energy Systems – Project Ideas
Projects that look at maximizing the efficiency of energy systems already on board.
Projects that look at generating new designs for energy systems.
November 14, 2018
Rochester Institute of Technology

4. Energy Systems – Project Ideas
Optimization of Energy System
Thermoelectrics
Using excess heat to generate power
Heat produced from batteries
Heat produced from on-board electronics
Would need a method of simulating heat loss within the system
Obtain engineering specifications and power inputs
Design a system that would simulate these inputs
Batteries
Look at ways of increasing the performance of lithium ion batteries
Ultracapacitor Energy Storage
Look at ways of using an Ultracapacitor to increase the life of batteries
Design of New Energy System
Fuel Cell
Look at designing a fuel cell that could meet the power requirements of the system
Possibly use salt water as an electrolyte with magnesium based fuel cell
Stirling Engine
Could be used in conjunction with a fuel cell
Could be connected to any alternative heat source
Salt Water as Fuel
Look at how RF signals affect the chemical composition of salt water
Determine how much energy is required to produce an RF signal and compare it with how much energy is produced from burning the exposed hydrogen
November 14, 2018
Rochester Institute of Technology