Equilibrium molecular dynamics combined with the Green–Kubo formula can be used to calculate the thermal conductivity of materials such as germanium and carbon. The foundation of this calculation is extracting the heat current from the results and implementing it into the Green–Kubo formula. This work considers all formulations from the literature that calculate the heat current for the Tersoff potential, the interatomic potential most applicable to semiconductor materials. The formulations for the heat current are described, and results for germanium and carbon are presented. The formulations are compared with respect to how well they capture the physics of the Tersoff potential and how well the calculated value of the thermal conductivity reflects the experimentally measured value.

Design of Mechanism is a standard subject in Mechatronics and Mechanical Engineering majors. Different methods and tools are used by lecturers to teach the subject. In this work, we investigate the impact on the competencies development by implementing a project-based learning methodology in a mechanism course. For this, we analyze the performance of students from two different groups. The first group is taught in a traditional fashion developing a final project just related to the discipline, and the second group is taught in a multidisciplinary context where the final goal is to develop a complex project where the mechanisms subject is one complementary subject with the others. The development of engineering competencies, declared for this course, is presented for both groups through the evaluation of different aspects; also, a survey of satisfaction from the students of both groups is presented. Overall, the results show that the multidisciplinary project-based learning method, having a nonacademic training partner as sponsor and solving a real nonacademic project, improves the development of competencies related to practical applications and increases the motivation and appreciation of the student towards the mechanism learning discipline.

Mixed reality (MR) laboratories combine physical elements with virtual components, providing convenient experiential environments for testing engineering concepts. This article reports the design, validation, and implementation of an MR laboratory for engineering students to practice the implementation of control algorithms in microcontrollers. First, the design of the MR lab is described in detail. In this, a seesaw electromechanical system is emulated, being synchronized with electrical signals that represent sensors’ measurements and actuators’ commands. Thus, a control algorithm implemented by the students in a microcontroller can affect the simulated system in real time. The real seesaw system was used to validate the simulated plant in the MR lab, finding that the same control algorithm effectively controls both the simulated and physical seesaw systems. A practice, designed based on Kolb’s experiential learning cycle, where the students must implement P, PI, and PID controllers in the MR lab, was implemented. A survey was conducted to assess the students’ motivation, and a post-test was administered to evaluate their learning outcomes.

This work presents results of nylon-based composites used in additive manufacturing (AM) subjected to 24, 48, 96, 168, 336, and 504 h of continuous exposure to UV and 50% humidity. Sample coupons were built on a Markforged Two^® printer. To mimic UV exposure, samples were exposed to 253 nm UV light (UV–C), whereas for humidity, samples were placed at 50% relative humidity and 22 °C in a bi-distilled water atmosphere. The effects of said exposure were measured in tensile, Charpy impact energy, mass absorption, and Shore hardness D tests. Nylon gained 5.6% ± 0.48 mass after 504 h. For Charpy, absorbed energy went down from 0.463 J/mm² to 0.28 J/mm² at 504 h of humidity exposure. For Shore D, the variation goes from 59.1 ± 0.82 for zero exposure to 66.8 ± 2.5 at 504 h of UV exposure. Conversely, UV exposure induced an increase in Young’s modulus and Shore hardness, while significantly reducing impact energy to 0.32 J/mm², indicating embrittlement confirmed by SEM analysis. FTIR analysis revealed hydrolytic degradation under humidity and photo-oxidative degradation under UV, affecting N–H and C=O bonds. These findings allow a designer to project the residual mechanical properties of a component up to its last day of service.

Molecular dynamics is a powerful computational tool to model material properties. The potential of the simulation tool to understand and to predict materials behaviors and properties has been widely used for research purposes. In this work, molecular dynamics as an innovative tool is investigated. The goal is to developed competences related with material science using molecular dynamics. The main conclusion is that the tool is of great use for this purpose. It has great potential as a modeling tool that accompany the process of competence development in an engineering student.