Project Team


Students

Daniel Little
Computer Engineering
Abington






Faculty Mentors

Nate Wagenhoffer
Abington
Engineering, Computer Science










Project




https://sites.psu.edu/mcreu/files/formidable/2/2024-07-25/poster.pdf



Project Video




video player icon




Project Abstract


This research project aimed to develop an experimental device for launching and recording data from rotating disc toys like frisbees and boomerangs, with the goal of extending computer systems for rigid body motion tracking and simulation. The study seeks to define the underlying physics of rotating discs and how external forces, such as wind, affect their behavior. Key objectives include building consistent launching devices, attaching sensors and microcomputers to the discs for data collection, developing a low-dimensional model for disc flight, and conducting both indoor and outdoor experiments to compare results and model boundary conditions. The project will progress from creating launching tools to data collection, followed by computational modeling and simulations. This research contributes to the broader fields of science and engineering by providing new insights into low-speed rotating disc dynamics and enabling accurate trajectory predictions in real-world scenarios




Evaluate this Project


Use this form link to provide feedback to the presenters, and add your project evaluation for award(s) consideration.