Research-informed service-learning in Mechatronics and Dynamic Systems

摘要

Abstract This paper addresses opportunities for linking research and teaching through service-learning as an experiential teaching method that combines community service with research and academic instructions, particularly related to Mechatronics and Dynamic Systems areas. The research component is complementary to the service-learning activity that applies the state-of-the-art technologies, and can potentially lead to scientific original work and world-class contributions in technological advancements. Various advanced technologies related to mechatronic systems have been developed by the authors and the students involved in such projects as part of their University curriculum, including: self-powered solar Unmanned Aerial/Ground Vehicles, energy harvesting systems, biologically inspired mechanical birds and insects, bio-inspired vertical axis wind turbines, jelly-fish inspired propulsion, nature-inspired techniques such as quantum networks, cryptography, and entanglement for multi-robotic/vehicle systems, which can be further enriched by service components. Connecting University instructions to real-world applications and cutting-edge technologies, as research-informed service-learning activities, results in engaging, attractive, and rewarding experience for the students. To demonstrate the research-based service-learning activity, a case study is carried out at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona in collaboration with the students in the electromechanical engineering program and the Police Department. The students carry out their senior design project as a service-learning project by developing long endurance electric multi-rotor drones (with station-keeping capability) for traffic monitoring, situation awareness, and surveillance. The research goal is to overcome the limited flight time of the current drone technology (currently limited to about 30min flight) using buoyancy force and solar energy (without recharging the onboard batteries, or using tethered drones). The service-learning goal is to help the police department in applications of drones for monitoring and situation awareness while operating for long periods of time, and the capability of a wide monitoring coverage area. The Innovation to Flight (I2F) Student Program at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory is introduced as a practical example of the service-learning paradigm, with many beneficial goals including: Enhance and develop future mission capabilities; rapid innovation, rapid and affordable access to space for innovators; train, inspire, and motivate the next generation of aerospace engineers through immersion into flight by rapid design, development, and launch of new innovations. Example projects that have been considered so far with the students are weather balloons, humanmachine interfaces, solar reflectors, and origami-based mechatronic systems within 10 weeks of internship.