This document discusses an undergraduate research project that integrated virtual instrumentation and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to analyze flow through a venturi tube. Students retrofitted an existing venturi tube setup with pressure and temperature sensors controlled via a DAQ system and LabVIEW virtual instrument. CFD simulations were also conducted and compared to experimental measurements. The project helped familiarize students with modern measurement techniques while achieving multiple educational objectives such as developing communication and teamwork skills.

1. USE OF VIRTUAL INSTRUMENTATION AND COMPUTATIONAL FLUID DYNAMICS IN AN UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH PROJECT Efstathios I. Xanthopoulos, Dimitrios A. Tzempelikos, Andronikos E. Filios and Dionissios P. Margaris 7th GRACM International Congress on Computational Mechanics Athens, 30 June – 2 July 2011

3. Intro – Overcoming the constraints The process of overcoming the constraints can only be done either with faculty development and curriculum revisions or with cooperation of similar workshops in institutional or inter-institutional level . In the last case, faculty expertise, specialized post-graduate students, hardware and software can be joined in servicing a common target.

5. Intro - fmtulab’s Strategy Development Process In-site design and construction of apparatus and facilities Retrofit of old but proven laboratory systems The under funding and the absence of adequate number of permanent educational and technical staff is overcome through collaborations with Universities and TEI

13. The front panel GUI in LabVIEW