ELECTROMECHANICAL ENGINEERING

This module will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the principles and techniques used in modern control systems. You will explore the mathematical models that describe dynamic systems, learn about the characteristics of control systems, and understand how to design controllers to regulate system behaviour. Key topics include system representation, stability analysis, control techniques such as PID control, frequency response, and state space analysis. This module involves practical lab sessions for hands-on experience with control systems design and implementation. By the end of this module, you will have the necessary skills to analyse and design control systems, crucial for various engineering disciplines.

When working in Electromechanical Engineering, you will need knowledge of the principles of fluid mechanics and the techniques that are needed to predict the behaviour of fluids in a range of engineering applications. This module will provide you with knowledge of the principles applied to fluid mechanics and how to use techniques that predict, analyse and control the behaviour of fluids in given engineering applications. You will also study thermodynamics and how the Laws of Thermodynamics are applied and analysed by mathematical modelling for a range of thermodynamic systems.

If the governments of the world are to tackle the problems of global warming and efficient use of renewable energy, engineers are key in solving them. Everything a professional engineer does affects these areas, as it is they who design, test and manufacture products that use the energy and make a contribution to global warming. A motor vehicle is a prime example. Indeed, the design of a product alone will determine approximately 80% of how that product will contribute to global warming and what happens to it at the end of that product’s lifetime. Energy use is a major contributor to global warming and engineers are pivotal in developing new renewable energy technologies. The Renewable Energy and Sustainability module aims to provide you with a wide understanding of societal pressure and the issues that face businesses and consider this from an engineering perspective. It will provide you with an understanding of the three pillars of sustainability and how business is affected by engineering decisions on the issues of sustainability and energy use, as we move towards a circular economy. The areas studied in this module are: renewable energy use in comparison to the use of fossil fuels, environmental issues; environmental legislation; sustainable engineering and whole life cycle assessment of a product. Emphasis is placed on the general engineering sectors with consideration to the life cycle assessment of a simple product.

Global/industrial perspectives, process simulation, conventional and smart materials (piezoelectric, photoactive, magnetorheological, shape memory etc).

Mechatronic systems are all around us. In our home appliances, in our cars, in our offices and on the factory floor. Mechatronics has been defined by the IEEE as, “The Synergistic integration of mechanical engineering with electronics and intelligent computer control in the design and manufacturing of industrial products and processes.” That is, it includes aspects of diverse disciplines including mechanical, electrical, electronic, computer and control engineering, resulting in one overall integrated system. Leading mechatronics system engineers will thus have skills across all of these different engineering disciplines, and be able to view any solution holistically, and not just a number of individual parts. This module will give you the skills to take a “system level” view of a system and break it down into appropriate mechanical, electrical and software components to allow you to design a system to achieve a given, integrated function

Virtual engineering and simulation play an important role in accelerating innovation in engineering. Through simulation, designs can be optimised, and products can be virtually analysed to determine key design parameters such as stress, strain, deflection, and factor of safety. Assemblies can be simulated to analyse motion studies and further optimise the kinematic operation. In this module you will use industry standard 3D design software to develop electro-mechanical products and then analyse the products using Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) techniques. You will explore the underlining mathematical models that facilitate FEA and CFD and explore how the use of simulation tools can improve the time to market for products. The overall aim of the module is to introduce the basic theories of FEA and CFD techniques. The module also requires you to work in a group to solve a real-world engineering problem. The module is delivered using a mix of lectures, self-guided study, tutorials, and group projects.

Embedded systems are all around us. In our home appliances, in our cars, in our offices and on the factory floor. Embedded systems can be thought of as an entire computing system with processor, memory, power, software, and inputs/outputs in one device. Many of them are to be found in your car, each one quite often dedicated to a small specific task, engine management, entertainment, powered seat, air conditioning. Ranging in complexity, capability and price, they are also to be found in your washing machine, or even at the heart of a jet engine! This hands-on module will give you the opportunity to build an embedded system, based around an Arduino-compatible controller. You will design, build, test, document and present an embedded controller reading data from the environment, processing it according to rules you have set, and producing an appropriate output as a result. It will draw heavily on, and further develop, knowledge you have already gained from earlier modules on this programme.

We take “stand-alone” electronic devices for granted, now. Electronic security systems, domestic boiler control systems, temperature monitors, pacemakers, car engine management systems, the list is endless. But what if those devices could communicate their condition, and even allow for a user to configure them, remotely, via the Internet? A home alarm that the owner can set and check remotely? A boiler that the user could switch off remotely, as they were going to be away for a few days? A Pacemaker that could contact the health service if it detected an anomaly, and allow a remote physician to adjust it accordingly? A car that told your local service centre when it detects a fault? This is the world of The Internet of Things, known as IoT. This module will build directly on your knowledge gained from the Embedded Systems module and take your learning to the next level.

Industry 4.0 provides a digital transformation for modern manufacturing companies on a global scale. It primarily integrates automation and data exchange technologies within the manufacturing industry. This requires the industrial environment to be fully digitalised by connecting engineering development, manufacturing environments and the supply chain to digital information systems and processes. In this module you will integrate the modules studied on this programme, such as Smart Manufacturing and Internet of Things (IoT), and others that involve digital systems within the manufacturing environment. You will be introduced to the principles of Industry 4.0, and the integration of automated systems and the exchange of data in the manufacturing environment so that flexible manufacturing systems are utilised and production optimised. Practical work will require you to develop a web-based application that will enable a device or system to sense, monitor and control operations.

In working life, project management will require you to apply the skills needed to run industrial projects. Skills such as time and resource management, team working and communication are all essential for running projects which may be short or long term, or for smaller projects that are managed simultaneously and in parallel. As an Engineer, you will need these skills as they are essential to the success of any engineering career. The module is practically based using case studies. You will produce a portfolio of work, participating in group work and by producing individual work. You will apply the skills and knowledge required for the running of a successful project. You will acquire knowledge of the theory and practice of sustainable Project Management, you will apply the principles working from a project brief, making decisions, managing risks, using control techniques, management techniques, and the monitoring and reviewing of projects in engineering applications that are designed to challenge you.

The engineering independent project provides an opportunity for you to work independently and investigate a topic in electro-mechanical engineering. It allows you to carry out a detailed and in-depth study of a topic within your own field of interest. The project will enable you to consolidate learning within other areas of your degree programme and strengthen them through further independent study. The engineering Independent Project is a module where you will carry out a detailed study and demonstrate your ability to research and critically review literature. You will further analyse a problem within your area of engineering interest and reflect on the project findings. These are essential skills required to gain employment within the engineering sector. Your project will be presented in a portfolio format with detailed documentation to evidence project planning for the initial topic and a final project report which details the concept and work undertaken in the project outcomes.