Masters Degrees (Mechanical Engineering)
Recent Submissions
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Buckling of woven fibre and graphene platelet reinforced nanocomposite laminates.
(2021)Composite materials are known for exhibiting high specific stiffness, strength and light weight. Their properties can be optimized by designers for a specific application. They currently have many applications in various ... -
Multi-point static dexterous posture manipulation for the stiffness identification of serial kinematic end-effectors.
(2020)The low stiffness inherent in serial robots hinders its application to perform advanced operations due to its reduced accuracy imparted through deformations within the links and joints. The high repeatability, extended ... -
Multiscale nanocomposites and laminates reinforced by carbon nanotubes and fibres.
(2020)The addition of nanomaterials to conventional composites as reinforcement results in a new generation of composites, namely, multiscale composites. Multiscale composites comprise of reinforcements from two or more different ... -
Fused deposition modelling (FDM) to fabricate a transitional vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for transportation of medical supplies in underdeveloped areas.
(2020)This dissertation’s work has focused on the design and development of a prototype UAV that aims to facilitate the delivery of emergency medical aid supplies to remote locations within South Africa (SA). This research has ... -
Design, modeling and optimization of a seawater reverse osmosis desalination plant.
(2021)Potable water is one of the major needs for human, animals and plant survival. But recently, due to the growth in population and industrialization, fresh water shortage has escalated to alarming levels particularly in the ... -
Research, design and investigation of a multiple user mixed reality system.
(2021)Current forms of virtual technology are limited by their single-user capability per device. Additionally, these technologies are listed at expensive price ranges due to the robust technology and processing power required ... -
Preliminary design considerations for a commercial launch vehicle upper stage.
(2021)The African small satellite industry (micro and nano satellites in particular) continues to grow with developments in the miniaturization of satellite technology. However, the costs and delays involved with the traditional ... -
Optimization of energy conservation measures to improve efficiency in commercial buildings.
(2021)In addition to international energy concerns, South Africa is facing its own electricity generation challenges. Periodic load shedding leads to a decrease in national revenue as the production of goods and services comes ... -
Integrated low-cost reading device targeting the accessibility to quality education for the visually impaired.
(2021)The movement of society into the Fourth Industrial Revolution introduces a fundamental shift in how Mechatronic devices are implemented in daily life and the workplace. Terms such as ‘efficiency’ and ‘competitive advantage’ ... -
CFD Modelling and performance evaluation of a forced convection mixed-mode solar grain dryer with a preheater.
(2021)Solar drying of agricultural food products as an art of food preservation has been in existence since the 17th century. In most tropical and subtropical countries, the drying process of harvested agricultural products such ... -
Computational fluid dynamic modelling of baffled open volumetric receiver operation.
(2020)An Open Volumetric Receiver (OVR) is a type of solar energy receiver that is able to heat atmospheric air volumetrically via a porous absorber exposed to concentrated solar radiation, through which the air flows. OVRs have ... -
Low level task execution, programming and control for jigs, fixtures and equipment.
(2019)Abstract available in PDF. -
Research and development of a reconfigurable robotic end-effector for machining and part handling.
(2020)Abstract available in PDF. -
Voice interfaces in mobile human-robot collaboration for advanced manufacturing systems.
(2019)Abstract available in PDF. -
The design and analysis of a novel 5 degree of freedom parallel kinematic manipulator.
(2019)Abstract available in PDF. -
Production and combustion of waste animal fat biodiesel as alternate fuel to fossil diesel.
(2020)Abstract available in PDF. -
Development of a composite oxidiser tank for the Phoenix-1B Mk. II hybrid rocket.
(2020)Abstract available in PDF. -
Development of a comprehensive energy model to simulate the energy efficiency of a battery electric vehicle to allow for prototype design optimisation and validation.
(2017)This dissertation describes the development of an energy model of a battery electric vehicle (BEV) to assist designers in evaluating the impact of overall energy efficiency on vehicle performance. Energy efficiency is a ... -
Structural analysis of a composite monocoque chassis for use in a high performance electric vehicle.
(2018)The adoption of electric vehicle technology is becoming more prevalent, as society strives to reduce the negative impact of greenhouse gas emissions and focuses on a sustainable future. This thesis details the design and ...
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