Project Update

In the Fall of 2007, a group of five Mechanical Engineers completed a conceptual research project for a Water Purification System as their senior design. Jonathan Da Silva, Abdul Karim Dawan, Kim Fellenz, Kevin Gonzales and Emanuel Rios have optimized the system to provide clean drinking water at the lowest possible cost.

Read more about this project here.

In the Spring of 2008, a team of Chemical Engineers consisting of Barbara Korda, Amanda Rogers, Kelsea Wilks and Natalia Malantchouk will continue research begun in Spring 2007 to find an efficient source of biomass for ethanol production.

Read more about this project here.

Project Update

The chapter is currently working on the application for the community center/clinic project in a neighboring community to Jarabacoa. The needs of the community are being assessed by the project team.

A Mechanical Engineering Senior Design team is working on a research project for a Water Purification System.

Hydroelectric Project Update

Due to draught conditions in the summer of 2007 followed by severe flooding in the fall, the project team requested an updated feasibility study and design parameters to ensure proper system design. The initial data from this new study was received in October 2007. The Dominican Republic has been in a disaster recovery mode since the severe flooding and the NGO has been involved in numerous rebuilding efforts which has understandably delayed work on the hydroelectric system. The finalized design parameters, system drawings, and revised Turbine proposal should be completed by early 2008. The construction timeline of approx 1.5 years will follow design approval. The chapter has raised over $20,000 of the $25,000 goal for the project. The project will be mentioned in the upcoming American Society of Civil Engineers December newsletter.