Digital Commons Network^™

Doubly Fed Induction Generator With Integrated Energy Storage System For Smoothening Of Output Power, Nishant Swaraj Chouhan

Masters Theses

"Wind energy is one of the fastest growing renewable energies in the world today. However, integration of wind power into the power system network is still confronting many challenges. One of the main challenges is the suppression of wind power fluctuations. This thesis focuses on integration of wind power with energy storage to overcome the integration challenges. The first part of this thesis investigates the suitability of energy storage systems for transmission, distribution and wind farm applications. A review on the available energy storage systems is performed considering several criteria. Efforts are made to investigate solutions that meet all the …

Evaluation Of Variable Speed Limits Using A Genetic Algorithm Approach To Calibrate A Vissim Model, Brian Joseph Schaefer

Masters Theses

"The variable speed limit (VSL) system has been adopted on more and more roadways across the globe as an engineering tool for controlling traffic flow, particularly during congestion situations. An important and fundamental question raised among traffic engineers is: Are the costs of installing and operating variable speed limits really justified? In order to answer this question, this thesis measures the effectiveness of the VSL system applying the VISSIM microscopic simulation model to a non-recurrent congestion situation. For the analysis, a section of interstate was modeled in VISSIM and calibrated so that the simulated results closely reproduce the observed data …

Microalgal Bioremediation Of Nutrients In Wastewater And Carbon Dioxide In Flue Gas, Anand Murali Narasimhan

Masters Theses

"Microalgae are potential biofuel feedstocks that can provide solutions to the twin challenges of energy security and environmental pollution. They have great potential for the removal of excess nitrogen and phosphorus from wastewater including the farm runoff. They can capture carbon dioxide in the flue gas from coal fired power plants thereby reducing greenhouse gas and also producing algal biomass, which can be converted into biofuel. In this study, the nutrient consumption of Scenedesmus algae was investigated in a batch culture and the biomass yield was determined. Algae were able to utilize carbon in the form of soluble carbonates which …

Enhanced Photorefractivity In A Polymeric Composite Photosensitized With Modified Carbon Nanotubes, Naveen Kumar Lingam

Masters Theses

"This work involves the photosensitization of photorefractive polymeric composites through the inclusion of multiwalled and singlewalled carbon nanotubes grafted to poly(N-vinyl carbazole). The photorefractive nature of the holograms gratings was established using two-beam-coupling, yielding two-beam-coupling gain coefficients approaching 80 cm⁻¹. Degenerate-four-wave-mixing experiments exhibited diffraction efficiencies as high as 60% as well as over-modulation voltages as low as ~ 40 V/µm. These notable figures of merit indicate that the grafting of the various carbon nanotubes to the poly(N-vinyl carbazole) polymer resulted in enhanced photorefractive performance. The mechanism responsible for this enhancement in photorefractive performance is investigated using a variety of experimental …

Distributed Spatiotemporal Detection For Chemical And Biological Threats Using Human Immune Mechanisms, Yatin Bodas

Masters Theses

"Ubiquitous detection of chemical and biological (CB) threats in an urban environment using widely distributed, low-cost, broad-spectrum sensors carried by public or on vehicles is extremely desirable and pertinent for homeland security. These distributed sensors should interoperate autonomously and adaptively to meet stringent operational and detection performance requirements. This research explores the use of scalable detection methodology, inspired by the human immune mechanisms to meet these challenges. An adaptive spatiotemporal control mechanism is proposed to organize the detection behavior of spatially dispersed sensors using peer-to-peer communication so that a shorter response time, higher probability of detection and lower false alarm …

Development Of Novel Backscatter Communication Systems Using A Multi-Hop Framework And Distributed Beamforming, Vikram Reddy Surendra

Masters Theses

"The goal of this thesis it to develop a wireless networking framework for battery-free devices based on passive, backscatter communication. In contrast to traditional, active communication systems, where the radio signal has to be generated using large amount of energy from batteries, the passive systems reflect the RF signal. The information is encoded by modulating the reflected signal, which consumes significantly less energy than active transmission. The existing passive, backscatter systems have limited communication capabilities. For example, the Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) systems support short-distance, direct communication between active reader and passive tags. The communication range is limited due to …

Decentralized Coordinated Ilc System Design And Transient Growth Control Using Iteration-Varying Filter, Qing Liu

Masters Theses

"In automation control area, with the increasing demand in task complexity and high control precision, coordination between systems is required. There are mainly two types of coordinated systems, decentralized and centralized. This thesis is focused on a large array of coordinated systems, and the decentralized structure is preferred. To achieve high control precision in a coordinated system, many existing approaches may work, and in the system performing the repeating process, Iterative Learning Control (ILC) is a useful approach. Therefore, in this thesis, a decentralized coordinated ILC system is proposed and analyzed. The proposed control system is especially useful in coordinating …

Emi Suppression Of Dc-Dc Synchronous Buck Converters By Layout Optimizations And Emi Prediction Using Non-Linear And Spice Circuit Co-Simulation, Ankit Bhargava

Masters Theses

"The oscillation on the phase voltage is due to the resonant structure formed by a parasitic loop (consisting of two FETs and the input decoupling capacitors) inductance and the output capacitance of the low side FET. Therefore, it is important to minimize this parasitic loop inductance. A simulation guideline is developed on full-wave modeling and simulation of buck converter layouts to estimate the parasitic loop inductances. Furthermore, this method is taken one step further to estimate the far-field radiation from the loop. These simulations were verified on six PCB variants of the buck converter and were compared with measurements in …

Mechanical Properties And Microstructure Study For Direct Metal Deposition Of 316l Stainless Steel, Tian Fu

Masters Theses

"Direct metal deposition or laser cladding is a process capable of producing fully dense and net shape metal products and this process could be used on coating metal components in various engineering applications. This process has fast heating and cooling rates which can improve the surface hardness and provide excellent adhesion through metallurgical bond between coating material and substrate. This paper evaluated the laser deposited 316L stainless steel coating on 4340 steel, which is widely used for aircraft landing gear applications. The microstructure, micro-hardness and quantitative EDS were explored to verify the coating properties. The desired homogeneous microstructure and high …

Evaluation Of Alternative Methods For Surface Preparation And Deposition Of Cerium-Based Conversion Coatings On Aluminum Alloys, William J. Gammill

Masters Theses

"This thesis investigates alternative surface preparation and deposition methods for cerium-based conversion coatings (CeCC) on high strength aluminum alloys. Cerium-based conversion coatings are being investigated as a more environmentally friendly replacement for chromium-based conversion coatings. Currently, the alloys are immersed in strong alkaline and acidic solutions to prepare the aluminum surfaces for conversion coating, in which immersion may not be suitable for all situations. Alternatives to this method were investigated, including wipe application of solution, ultrasonic processing in deionized water, and abrasive blasting with alumina. AI 7075-T6 test panels were prepared using each of these methods and compared to a …

Automatic Detection Of Malignant Melanoma Using Boundary Gradient Information In Dermoscopy Images, Yogesh Ajit Dandekar

Masters Theses

"This thesis demonstrates an algorithm which uses local border features, primarily derived from the border gradient, to help determine whether the lesion is a malignant melanoma or a benign lesion. Although this algorithm uses manually-marked lesion borders, it could be included in a fully automatic routine. A Prewitt algorithm with a window size proportional to the area of the lesion is used to calculate the gradient over the entire lesion boundary. This gradient value is used to calculate various boundary features, such as mean, standard deviation, and direction of maximum gradient. The dark and white areas inside the lesion combined …

Characterization Of Geotechnical Variability Based Upon Sampling Frequency Using Monte Carlo Simulation: A Study Of The Kcicon Project, Kerry Allen Magner

Masters Theses

"The geotechnical variability of individual homogeneous isotropic soil units is of interest during the process of determination of adequate geotechnical design parameters for almost all construction projects. In this study, an attempt is made to quantify the effects of sampling frequency (sample size) on the mean, variance, and coefficient of variation of individual geomechanical parameters within a distinct soil type.

In-situ geotechnical sampling data and laboratory testing data from the kcICON project was provided by Terracon Consultants, Inc. (Terracon) of Lenexa, Kansas for analysis within this research project. This soil sampling and laboratory testing was performed by Terracon as part …

Performance Evaluation Of A Novel Diesel Fuel Air Separation And Filtration System For An Indirect Injection Diesel Engine, Michael Ray Hess

Masters Theses

"The objective of this research was to evaluate an air/fuel separation system known as a Fuel Preporator. The device's efficacy was determined by studying the effect of air entrainment on engine performance and fuel consumption of a General Motors 6.5 L naturally aspirated indirect injection (IDI) diesel engine. A test bed was developed to accommodate the test engine and test methods were adapted from federal regulations for steady-state engine testing (40 CFR 89 Subpart E). Cases of 0%, 5%, 10%, and 20% volumetric air entrainment were investigated for engine operation with and without the Fuel Preporator. Key measured engine performance …

The Effectiveness Of The Natural Resource Conservation Service (Nrcs) And Huff Rainfall Distribution Methods For Use In Detention Basin Design, Todd Wayne Dablemont

Masters Theses

"This thesis focuses on the effectiveness of the NRCS and Huff rainfall distribution methods for use in detention basin design. This study required the use of HEC-HMS, hydrologic modeling software, in order to analyze the distribution methods. Three separate detention basins and their watersheds were modeled for this study. The watersheds were analyzed for both undeveloped and developed conditions. The parameters analyzed include detention basin inflow, detention basin outflow, watershed peak discharge, and detention basin storage capacity. The determination of detention basin effectiveness was based upon these parameters. The NRCS distribution method is widely used; however, many who use it …

A Hybrid Problem-Based And Just-In-Time Inductive Teaching Method For Failure Analysis Instruction, Ryan Michael Arlitt

Masters Theses

"When engineers retire, they take their expert knowledge with them. Preservation of this expert knowledge in a usable form is beneficial for the advancement of any engineering field. Risk in Early Design (RED) is one method for preserving expert risk analysis knowledge. The first purpose of this paper is to examine the usability of RED when incorporated with a hybrid problem-based and just-in-time inductive teaching method for failure analysis instruction. The second purpose of this paper is to propose and perform steps toward verification and validation of the RED methodology and implementation. Evaluation metrics were developed, and several of these …

Determining The R Values For 12 Inch Deep Z-Purlins And Girts With Through-Fastened Panels Under Suction Loading, Kaye Dee Wibbenmeyer

Masters Theses

"Designing purlins for roof systems attached to through-fastened panels has been a subject well researched in the past. The current design specification uses a simplified approach to the designing of these members where the fully braced moment capacity of such members is multiplied by a reduction factor, commonly referred to as the R-value. This value represents the point in between the fully braced and fully unbraced member behavior. However, the current AISI Specification, S100, only contains R-values for purlins and girts up to 11.5 inches in depth. Since manufacturers are now rolling sections up to 12 inches deep, two confirmatory …

Neural Mrac Based On Modified State Observer, Yang Yang

Masters Theses

"A new model reference adaptive control design method with guaranteed transient performance using neural networks is proposed in this thesis. With this method, stable tracking of a desired trajectory is realized for nonlinear system with uncertainty, and modified state observer structure is designed to enable desired transient performance with large adaptive gain and at the same time avoid high frequency oscillation. The neural network adaption rule is derived using Lyapunov theory, which guarantees stability of error dynamics and boundedness of neural network weights, and a soft switching sliding mode modification is added in order to adjust tracking error. The proposed …

Control And Design Considerations In Electric-Drive Vehicles, Shweta Neglur

Masters Theses

"Electric-drive vehicles have been identified as one of the promising technologies of the future. Electric-drive vehicles including fuel cell, hybrid electric, and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles have the potential to improve the fuel economy and reduce gas emissions when compared to conventional vehicles. One of the important challenges in the advancement of the electric-drive vehicles is to develop a control strategy which meets the power requirements of the vehicles. The control strategy is an algorithm designed to command the battery and the internal combustion engine of the vehicle for specific power demands. In this thesis, load follower and thermostat control …

Stability Of Streambanks Subjected To Highly Variable Streamflows: The Osage River Downstream Of Bagnell Dam, Kathryn Nicole Heinley

Masters Theses

"Streambank erosion of the Osage River downstream of Bagnell Dam is naturally-occurring; however, it may be significantly worsened due to releases made from the dam to generate hydropower. In this study, six typical outflow release patterns from Bagnell Dam were evaluated to determine their effects, if any, on the stability and the rate and amount of erosion of the banks of the Osage River.

The Bank Stability and Toe Erosion Model (BSTEM), version 5.2, was used to carry out the erosion and stability calculations. The model was validated by using data from another study and comparing the results from BSTEM …

Management Of A University Satellite Program With Focus On A Refrigerant-Based Propulsion System, Shawn W. Miller

Masters Theses

"The Missouri University of Science and Technology Satellite (M-SAT) design team has established a satellite program to develop a pair of satellites to perform an autonomous formation flight mission. The resulting configuration was assembled for the Air Force Research Lab University Nanosat Program. This document, written by the Program Manager and former member of the Propulsion subsystem, is a description of the management process used by the team to develop a satellite configuration. Included in the document is a discussion of team organization, techniques for managing a program, and lessons learned during the 2007 to 2008 timeframe. The managing techniques …

Simulation Of Pem Fuel Cells: Validation Of Model And Incorporation Of Humidity Dynamics, Steven Francis Rodgers

Masters Theses

"Fuel cell technologies have been receiving increased attention by industry and researchers due to growing societal and inevitable economic pressures to find an alternative for fossil fuels. At the forefront of this is the demand for fuel cell models: models to elucidate fundamental physical phenomena underlying fuel cell function and models that are not computationally demanding yet reasonably accurate to allow designers to incorporate fuel cells into consumer products. One of the latter type has recently been developed based on a software package that is already in widespread use in the automotive industry for the simulation of mechanical, thermal, electrical, …

Excitation Of Whispering Gallery Modes In Glass Microspheres Using Optical Fiber Couplers, Sudha Sneha Devarakonda

Masters Theses

"This research is a study conducted on the excitation of whispering gallery modes (WGM) in small micron-scale glass spheres. Optical WGM may be represented by a light wave that propagates along the surface of the sphere and reaches back itself in phase at specific wavelengths. Due to this, very high intensities of light with narrow line widths circulate in the microspheres contributing to high Q factor. The evanescent field of an optical waveguide is used to resonantly stimulate the WGM.

The WGM excitation in fused silica spheres was demonstrated in the laboratory with 60% coupling efficiency. Tapered optical fibers were …

Implementation Of Integrated Function Structure And Object-Oriented Design Framework, Qiong Gao

Masters Theses

"The function structure method is commonly used in mechanical product design. Although a function structure allows defining all the functions of the components of a product and their interactions, it does not have an effective architecture for the software design of a mechatronic product. An integrated function structure and object-oriented design framework was recently developed to overcome this disadvantage. In this thesis, the implementation of this framework to design several products in different categories, including an inkjet printer, and electric screwdriver and a vacuum cleaner, is discussed. The design results obtained using the new framework are compared to the design …

Maskless Additive Manufacturing Of Micro Structures By Laser Sintering Of Nanoparticles, Vivekram Ramanathan

Masters Theses

"The focus of this study was to investigate an alternate microfabrication process of sintering nanoparticles using a patterned laser light to generate two dimensional (2D) and three dimensional (3D) geometries. With trends of producing electronic and medical devices using cheaper and faster technologies, a new procedure was developed to deposit and bond miniature patterns of silver nanoparticles onto silicon substrates.

The process consists of spraying silver nanoparticles onto the substrate while a patterned or modulated laser beam is focused onto the sprayed nanoparticles. These nanoparticles exposed under the modulated laser light undergo partial melting or sintering and adhere to the …

Detection Of Explosive Threats By Using Embedded Wireless Sensor Based Networks, Jake Daniel Hertenstein

Masters Theses

"This thesis focuses on the development of novel schemes for the detection of unintended electromagnetic emissions (UEE) from passive radio frequency (RF) receivers and chemical and biological (CB) agents for the purpose of locating explosive threats (ET) to improve survivability for equipment and personnel in the surrounding environment. The methods and architectures used in this work were developed for use with wireless sensor networks (WSNs). While previous work has shown that highly sensitive equipment is capable of long-range detection of UEE the intention of this work is to develop a network of small, low cost smart sensor nodes (SSNs) capable …

Synergy Between Biology And Systems Resilience, Ashik Chandra

Masters Theses

"Resilient systems have the ability to endure and successfully recover from disturbances by identifying problems and mobilizing the available resources to cope with the disturbance. Resiliency lets a system recover from disruptions, variations, and a degradation of expected working conditions. Biological systems are resilient. Immune systems are highly adaptive and scalable, with the ability to cope with multiple data sources, fuse information together, makes decisions, have multiple interacting agents, operate in a distributed manner over a multiple scales, and have a memory structure to facilitate learning. Ecosystems are resilient since they have the capacity to absorb disturbance and are able …

Analysis Of The Theta-D Filter As Applied To Hit-To-Kill Interceptors And Satellite Orbit Determination, Michael W. Dancer

Masters Theses

"When designing feedback control systems, there is often a need for estimation methods that provide system information that is not readily available via sensors placed within the system. In many cases a sensor that measures a particular system state either does not exist or is prohibitively expensive. In addition, all realistic systems contain some degree of nonlinearity. This thesis focuses on two such cases: missile guidance with bearings-only measurements and GPS satellite orbit determination. In each case, a new nonlinear filter, the [theta]-D method, is used and evaluated for its performance in providing the necessary estimation. To aid the filter …

The Properties And Structure Of Tin Phosphate Glasses Modified With Other Oxides, Jong Wook (Austin) Lim

Masters Theses

"The main objective of this research was to evaluate the properties and structures of glasses from the stannous (SnO) phosphate system for possible use in low temperature optical applications. Glasses in the binary xSnO-(100-x)P₂O₅ system (50 ≤ x ≤ 70) were prepared and their thermal and optical properties were evaluated. Differences in glass transition temperatures (T_g) measured here and reported in the literature were explained by differences in the residual water content in the glasses, as determined by infrared spectroscopy. In general, increasing the SnO content of the binary glasses increased the refractive index and the glass transition …

Full Wave Simulation Of An Electrostatic Discharge Generator Discharging In Air Discharge Mode Into A Product And Quantify Channel Performance Utilizing Novel Time Domain Convolution Method, Dazhao Liu

Masters Theses

"In the first section, it introduces a methodology to simulate the currents and fields during an air discharge ESD into a product by combining a linear description of the behavior of the DUT with a non-linear arc resistance equation. The most commonly used test standard IEC 61000-4-2 requires using contact mode discharges to metallic surfaces and air discharge mode to non-conducting surfaces. In contact mode, an Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) generator is a linear system. In air discharge mode, a highly non-linear arc is part of the current loop. This paper proposes a method that combines the linear ESD generator full …

Validation Of Driving Simulator And Driver Perception Of Vehicle Mounted Attenuator Markings In Work Zones, Durga Raj Mathur

Masters Theses

"This research work sought to validate the driving simulator at Missouri University of Science and Technology and to evaluate the vehicle mounted attenuator (VMA) markings for various times of day. For comprehensive validation of the driving simulator, a framework is proposed which is demonstrated using a fixed-base driving simulator. Objective and subjective evaluations were conducted, and validation of the driving simulator was performed at specific locations and along the highway. Field data were collected for a partial lane closure using a global positioning system (GPS) along the work zone and supplemented with video recordings of traffic data at specific locations …