Research Symposium Program - Individual Details

5th annual Undergraduate Research Symposium, April 17, 2025

Robert Copsey

BIO

We are a team of mechanical engineering students from Panama City, Florida, dedicated to a range of disciplines including marine engineering, materials engineering, data engineering, and mechanics. By integrating these fields, we strive to optimize the design and development of innovative technologies.

Through industry-focused and research-driven projects, we challenge ourselves to consult, plan, and implement creative solutions to real-world engineering problems. This hands-on experience fosters both personal and professional growth, preparing us to become forward-thinking engineers.

PRDCT – Powder Rheometric Device that Characterizes Torque

Authors: Robert Copsey, Twan Capehart
Student Major: Mechanical Engineering
Mentor: Twan Capehart
Mentor's Department: Mechanical Engineering
Mentor's College: FAMU-FSU College of Engineering
Co-Presenters: Angel Alvarado Perez, Logan Smith, Noah Owens, Kc Davis

Abstract

For a material to be fed through a hopper, it often needs to be agitated with a rotating apparatus so that it will move as desired. The objective of this project is to design a test apparatus that can collect data regarding the torque required to “agitate” various materials. Upon collection of data, a predictive model will be developed. By developing a predictive model, necessary agitator components can be specified using material properties so that testing does not have to occur for every material.

Keywords: torque, powder rheometer, Merrick