College
College of Engineering and Polymer Science
Date of Last Revision
2026-05-07 06:10:11
Major
Mechanical Engineering
Honors Course
MECE 497
Number of Credits
4
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science
Date of Expected Graduation
Spring 2026
Abstract
The Akron Engineering Tribology Laboratory has developed a water-based lubricant and aims to test and observe if the water-based lubricant could work in an electric vehicle environment. As parameters for creating a test stand to mimic an electric motor environment are not readily available online, the goal of this senior design project is to take apart a used Nissan Leaf engine to define the parameters a test stand must meet to accurately recreate an electric motor environment. Knowing these parameters, a test stand will then be designed for testing the water-based lubricants. The purpose of building a test stand to test this water-based lubricant is to not only verify that it is viable in an electric engine, but also to test if this water-based lubricant could simplify the current engine assembly from a two-fluid system into a one-fluid system. This would be mean no longer needing both a coolant and conventional oil, as the water based lubricant will act as both. Water has great thermal conductivity, and though it does not work in a conventional engine environment due to high loading, EV typically run at higher speeds and lower loads. These types of parameters could be ideal for the water-based lubricant to be used in. Simplifying the motor design to only need a one f luid system could save on cost, energy eAiciency, and simplicity of the design. Several goals were met during this design project, including taking apart the engine, designing a bearing puller to pull the bearings from the motor assembly, testing the wave spring for its spring constant, and creating an initial test stand for testing the water based lubricant. The laboratory oAers a great team of graduate students, undergraduate students, and faculty members, as well as the laboratory’s resources, so the main constraint of the project was time. The first half of the year was spent researching and taking apart the engine, so the design aspect was pushed into the second half of the year. Overall, an embodiment design of the test stand was created, along with a list of needed components. This design should be finalized with drawings created, so that it can be passed onto the laboratory to be assembled.
Research Sponsor
The University of Akron Tribology Lab
First Reader
Leon Burky
Second Reader
Ellie Kotzalas
Honors Faculty Advisor
Scott Sawyer
Proprietary and/or Confidential Information
No
Recommended Citation
Hodge, Mariah Z., "Nissan Leaf Disassembly Tool and Test Stand Design" (2026). Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects. 2203.
https://ideaexchange.uakron.edu/honors_research_projects/2203