09/11/2025
MME9624
Project Guidelines: Project report and presentation
Due date: Refer to OWL
Maximum length: 15 pages
Format:
• Follow the detailed IOP Guidelines for formatting instructions as
this is one of the most common publishers for actuator-related
research papers (these guidelines include text sizes, caption
styles, section numbering, tables, units, etc.). Your final report
should resemble the format of a submission-ready research
manuscript. Word and LaTeX templates are provided.
• All work must be typed. Handwriting or hand drawings will not be
accepted.
Report sections:
1. Title block and Abstract
Identify the project title, course code, your name, student number
and date. The abstract is a mini-version of the paper and
summarizes the most important aspects of the project.
2. Introduction
Briefly describe the general problem, provide context for the
application, and emphasize how an unconventional material
actuator/sensor/energy harvester based design solution would be
superior to conventional options.
3. Background
Technical requirements specification: Describe in detail the
pertinent technical requirements (quantitatively) for the proposed
application. These requirements will be used as a baseline for
performance evaluation in the second part of the project.
4. Actuator/sensor/energy harvester selection justification:
Describe the technology selection methodology. Explicitly justify
why both the specified class of material (i.e. shape memory
materials versus dielectric elastomers, etc.), and the specific
material within that class (i.e. Galfenol versus Terfenol-D for
magnetostrictive materials) is appropriate with respect to the
application requirements.
5. Actuator/sensor/energy harvester principle of operation:
Describe the underlying physics of the actuator/sensor/energy
harvester mode of operation. Conduct a literature review of
relevant models that have been developed to predict the
behaviour of the specified technology.