2023 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

This paper explores use of Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) and Materials Selection and Screening processes as part of a sophomore laboratory course focused on design engineering and sustainable engineering practices at a large R1 university within the department of materials science. This course design was funded by a faculty grant from VentureWell which allowed the class to focus on design engineering, entrepreneurship and sustainability. This paper focuses on the use of a life cycle analysis for materials students to understand the environmental impacts that arise from material inputs and outputs. Often, engineering students do not consider where the raw materials in products come from or where products go after useful life, so helping materials students understand the impact of their design decisions during materials selection and screening stages of design is an important goal for the course. This paper will discuss the way LCA analysis is taught as part of larger course design for sustainability, and the activities that build towards student understand of LCA including system deconstruction, process mapping, materials characterization and analysis and use of materials databases and screening tools.