alelanza wrote:Hello guys and gals,
I’m starting mechanical engineering this coming semester (Aug). I’m only taking chemistry and chemistry lab courses (i also work). While they are the basic courses I would like to be ready to relate theoretical concepts to real life and more specifically to one of my main passions which is F1, and of course cars in general. So do you have any reading/papers you can suggest? I’m thinking:
- Grip, the chemical part of grip/friction amongst two different surfaces. Whether we’re talking tyre to asphalt, or brake/caliper, clutches, aero drag, etc
- Lubrication. I guess this is the most obvious one
- Combustion? Batteries in the light of the new regeneration systems?
- Materials in general. What compounds have which properties and how that relates to chosing compound A over compound B. Maybe some good stuff on carbon fiber? or special finishes/coatings on parts for better performance/longevity?
- Coolants? I did find a couple threads on this one, good stuff there
In essence I’m interested in any reading material on these or other similar topics. At the moment I barely remember chemistry classes from highschool (94’!), so I guess I’m looking for not overly technical papers.
Thanks in advance!
I just finished my degree in Mechanical, i really liked it. There is one thing though.. I don't know how the American schools do it; but there is little Chemistry in the Reaction sense of the term in Mechanical Engineering.. (I did chemistry at A-level, i sorta didn't like it, but i respect it
).
You won't learn difficult reactions or anything.. You will only do the mechanical side of chemistry. Like Material science.. lattice structure, properties of materials, eutectic's, some polymer stuff..etc. Not any thing as deep as real chemistry.
The Lubrication part is called Tribology, so you can research that if you are interested.
Combustion is more of an experimental empirical type of thing.. humans have not really been able to predict it from basic principles yet. But is more mechanical than chemical.
Engineering is more of ingeniously applying science to create/better something than actually doing the science itself. But i like how you thinking.
Overall, What separates a good mechanical engineer.. is your ability to "SEE" and Learning to draw is also important.Then Just combine creativity with them.
Mathematical ability is also important, it will makes some people look more competent than you, but any body can do math.
There is much more to Mech eng, I am very young (much younger than you lol) and i only know a tiny amount.. But i like when people have driving interests like myself.
cool still.
