My name is Walker Bond. I chose the curriculum of mechanical engineering, with a concentration in energy engineering, due to my passion for solving personal and societal issues. In our country, we take for granted the fact the lights turn on when we flip a switch. I would like to be a member of the team that keeps the energy flowing in the most sustainable and efficient way. I am intrigued by designing products and processes that make everyday life easier, and I am also intrigued by making these innovations available to most people. I look forward to getting more hands-on experience through lab and design projects, by applying the skills I have gained in the classroom and extracurricular activities. I am thrilled to learn about the potential impact on society from projects completed by myself and my peers.
Impactful Innovations
In my eyes, the three most impactful engineering designs within the past 150 years have been semiconductors, nuclear fission, and pasteurization. SemiconductorsLinks to an external site. (1) are found in most modern devices from laptops to phones and automobiles. Recently, we have seen what an important role semiconductors play in the manufacturing process of automobiles, as there is a shortage causing major backlogsLinks to an external site. (2) in new automobile production. Nuclear fission may not immediately come to mind when discussing the most impactful engineering designs, however most people do not know that roughly 20% of United States energy generationLinks to an external site. (3) comes from nuclear fission. For my last choice, it is somewhat of an oddball. Pasteurization is a process which combines time and heat to kill harmful bacteria found within dairy based and alcoholic substances. Most of us consume some type of food or drink that has been pasteurized, multiple times a day without pondering what makes it safe. Pasteurization of milkLinks to an external site. (4) is often given credit for eradicating the deadly tuberculosis disease.
Product Analysis: Steak Knives
A simple product found in most households is a steak knife. The function of a steak knife is to cut through meats and various other tough foods, using a serrated blade and sharp point. The function of this design is entirely dependent on the geometry used. A thick, dull blade would not cut effectively. A thin, sharp, and serrated edge is necessary, shown in the images below. The geometry of the handle is also ergonomically optimized for comfort and to create leverage while cutting. There are many patents surrounding cutting utensils, however I found this patentLinks to an external site. (5) from Utica Cutlery to be the best representation, published by A. Edward Allen, Jr. There are numerous alternativesLinks to an external site. (6) to steak knives, with the most popular options being a non-serrated or a slightly curved blade. However, all the alternatives I found required a sharp, pointy blade to properly cut meat. The most common materials used in steak knife blade manufacturing are high carbon stainless steel, cold stainless steel, and tempered stainless steel (7). Raw materials undergo an alloying process to create various forms of steel and are then heated up and cast into a mold of the blade (8). Some knives utilize a wooden handle typically manufactured with an automated machine, although some are hand carved by master woodworkers. Another typical material used in the handle of a steak knife is hardened plastic which is cast into a mold. Many high-end manufacturers create their blades and handles in the United States.
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