Compressor project: Coupling Thermodynamics and Mechanical Design in a cross-curricular project

This paper describes a design-based effort to build an effective cross-curricular link between Thermodynamics and Mechanical Design - two traditionally distinct subjects. The result was a design challenge in which the authors asked their junior engineering undergraduate students to design and build an air compressor as a project conducted simultaneously in their Thermodynamics and Mechanical Design Courses. This paper describes the design challenge, the results of this cross-curricular experiment, and future enhancements to the project.