Digital Commons Network^™

Development Of Economic Water Usage Sensor And Cyber-Physical Systems Co-Simulation Platform For Home Energy Saving, Joe Singer

Mechanical Engineering Master's Theses

In this thesis, two Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) approaches were considered to reduce residential building energy consumption. First, a flow sensor was developed for residential gas and electric storage water heaters. The sensor utilizes unique temperature changes of tank inlet and outlet pipes upon water draw to provide occupant hot water usage. Post processing of measured pipe temperature data was able to detect water draw events. Conservation of energy was applied to heater pipes to determine relative internal water flow rate based on transient temperature measurements. Correlations between calculated flow and actual flow were significant at a 95% confidence level. Using …

Investigation Of 2195 And 2219 Post Weld Heat Treatments For Additive Friction Stir Lap Welds, Matthew Champagne

University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

To evaluate potential uses for friction stir welding in additive manufacturing, two separate parts were fabricated, one of 2195-T84 and the other 2219-T87, utilizing fixed pin techniques and additive lap welds. The parts were cut into samples, artificially aged and subjected to Rockwell hardness (HRB), Vickers hardness, micrographic photography, and metallographic imaging on both pre- and post- heat treatment. Additionally, tensile testing was performed on the heat-treated samples. A comparisons of test results showed a minimal increase in the yield strength of the 2195-T84 samples compared to as-welded tensile results obtained from a previous project. The ultimate tensile strength was …

Design, Manufacture, And Structural Dynamic Analysis Of A Biomimetic Insect-Sized Wing For Micro Air Vehicles, Jose Enrique Rubio

University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

The exceptional flying characteristics of airborne insects motivates the design of biomimetic wing structures that can exhibit a similar structural dynamic behavior. For this purpose, this investigation describes a method for both manufacturing a biomimetic insect-sized wing using the photolithography technique and analyzing its structural dynamic response. The geometry of a crane fly forewing (family Tipulidae) is acquired using a micro-computed tomography scanner. A computer-aided design model is generated from the measurements of the reconstructed scanned model of the insect wing to design the photomasks of the membrane and the venation network required for the photolithography procedure. A composite …

Application Of Pca To Cardiac Optical Mapping, Louis Woodhams

McKelvey School of Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Structural remodeling of the heart due to pathologies such as hypertension and myocardial infarction leads to the appearance of myofibroblasts, a phenotype largely absent in physiologic myocardium. While myofibroblasts are responsible for wound healing and structural repair of damaged myocardium, they are thought to have deleterious effects on electrical and mechanical properties of the heart. Understanding these effects is critical to developing effective treatments, and has motivated the development of a series of in vitro engineered heart tissues and cardiomyocyte-myofibroblast co-cultures whose mechanical and electrophysiological function can be deduced from video analysis. Electrophysiological properties are evident from changes in intensity …

Highly Vented Truss Wall Honeycomb Structures, David J. Sypeck

Publications

A vented honeycomb structure with a plurality of honey­comb cells arranged in a hierarchical order and having a plurality of truss walls, each truss wall including a plurality of members. The vented honeycomb structure is fabricated by joining a plurality of sheets of trusses using any one of an expansion, a corrugation, and a slotting process. Fabri­cation can also occur by deposition, casting, additive, extru­sion, or aligning and joining methods. The honeycomb cells, truss walls, truss wall openings, and truss wall members can be functionally graded.

Material State Awareness For Composites Part Ii: Precursor Damage Analysis And Quantification Of Degraded Material Properties Using Quantitative Ultrasonic Image Correlation (Quic), Subir Patra, Sourav Banerjee

Faculty Publications

Material state awareness of composites using conventional Nondestructive Evaluation (NDE) method is limited by finding the size and the locations of the cracks and the delamination in a composite structure. To aid the progressive failure models using the slow growth criteria, the awareness of the precursor damage state and quantification of the degraded material properties is necessary, which is challenging using the current NDE methods. To quantify the material state, a new offline NDE method is reported herein. The new method named Quantitative Ultrasonic Image Correlation (QUIC) is devised, where the concept of microcontinuum mechanics is hybrid with the experimentally …

Micro-Architectured Metamaterials: Design And Analysis, Li Ai

Mechanical Engineering Research Theses and Dissertations

Metamaterials are engineered materials with unusual properties deriving mainly from their micro-architectures rather than composition. They have attracted increasing attention owing to their tailorable multi-functional properties that cannot be exhibited by naturally-occurring or traditionally-manufactured materials. Materials with a negative Poisson’s ratio (PR) and materials with a non-positive coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) are examples of mechanical metamaterials. In this dissertation, metamaterials with negative Poisson’s ratios and negative coefficients of thermal expansion are designed using both heuristic approaches and topology optimization methods.

Firstly, based on a star-shaped re-entrant structure, three two-dimensional (2-D) periodic cellular materials are developed, which can be tailored …

Material State Awareness For Composites Part I: Precursor Damage Analysis Using Ultrasonic Guided Coda Wave Interferometry (Cwi), Subir Patra, Sourav Banerjee

Faculty Publications

Detection of precursor damage followed by the quantification of the degraded material properties could lead to more accurate progressive failure models for composite materials. However, such information is not readily available. In composite materials, the precursor damages—for example matrix cracking, microcracks, voids, interlaminar pre-delamination crack joining matrix cracks, fiber micro-buckling, local fiber breakage, local debonding, etc.—are insensitive to the low-frequency ultrasonic guided-wave-based online nondestructive evaluation (NDE) or Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) (~100–~500 kHz) systems. Overcoming this barrier, in this article, an online ultrasonic technique is proposed using the coda part of the guided wave signal, which is often neglected. Although …

Mitochondrial Dynamics And Respiration Within Cells With Increased Open Pore Cytoskeletal Meshes, David H. Jang, Sarah C. Seeger, Martha E. Grady, Frances S. Shofer, David M. Eckmann

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications

The cytoskeletal architecture directly affects the morphology, motility, and tensional homeostasis of the cell. In addition, the cytoskeleton is important for mitosis, intracellular traffic, organelle motility, and even cellular respiration. The organelle responsible for a majority of the energy conversion for the cell, the mitochondrion, has a dependence on the cytoskeleton for mobility and function. In previous studies, we established that cytoskeletal inhibitors altered the movement of the mitochondria, their morphology, and their respiration in human dermal fibroblasts. Here, we use this protocol to investigate applicability of power law diffusion to describe mitochondrial locomotion, assessment of rates of fission and …

A Comparison Of The Aerodynamic Centers For Panel Code Compressible Corrections And Openfoam 5 For Mach 0.1 To 0.8, Dustin Weaver

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

It is known that the aerodynamic center changes from quarter chord to half chord from incompressible to compressible flows on airfoils. Compressible corrections are derived and implemented in a vortex panel code. These results will be used to find the aerodynamic centers for the specified Mach range of 0.1 to 0.8 in 0.1 increments within - 6 to 6 degrees angle of attack. OpenFOAM 5 cases will be created with specific meshes and settings. The results calculated from OpenFOAM 5 will be compared to the results obtained from the compressible corrections.

The Vibe, Sarah P. Douglass

Capstones

The Vibe is a long-form narrative about where tech is taking the female orgasm. The piece concludes that physiological research is a required next step when creating the climax of the future.

http://sarahpdouglass.com

Dynamic Modeling And Extreme Tension Analysis Of Mooring System For A Floating Offshore Wind Turbine, Wei Ting Hsu

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

For offshore wind industry, exploiting the dynamic behaviors of mooring lines is of increasing importance in floating offshore wind turbine (FOWT) mooring system design. Currently, the design philosophy for structures and moorings is based on principles and practices adopted in offshore oil and gas, including mooring systems that are optimized for applications in deeper waters. However, the design of FOWT mooring systems is facing several challenges, including installation costs, the stability of light-weight minimalistic platforms, and shallow water depths (50-300m). The extreme tension in mooring lines of a light displacement platform in shallow water is dominated by snap loads. Hence …

Modeling Of A Head - Neck Assembly Drop Tower Impact Test Using Abaqus, Hussein Sharqi Owaid

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

There are numerous potential causes of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and concussions, including traffic accidents, contact during sports and falls. Protection from these injuries is paramount because of the problems that result from TBI, such as loss of thinking and memory capability. Head impact from falls, especially in elderly, can also result in severe to fatal injury and some effects of brain injury are often not visible. For these reasons and more a need exists for protective head gear that can keep persons safe during at risk physical activity and that can protect fall prone persons from accidental injuries. Part …

The Inter-Laminar Shearing Effect On Wrinkle Development In Composite Forming Processes, David Sundquist

McKelvey School of Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Composite materials are becoming prevalent in aerospace industries as the uniqueness of the composite structure allows the composite to be tailored specifically for individual applications. Many fabrication techniques produce defects in composite parts such as wrinkles, fiber waviness, fiber misalignment, and porosity. The driving mechanisms behind these defects occurring during forming processes are not fully understood and, thus, characterization formation of these defects in a uncured state is beneficial to optimize composite processing. This work primarily investigated the influence of how uncured pre-impregnated carbon ply properties affect the wrinkling behavior of a composite laminates. Several factors affecting composite ply forming …

Characterizing Anisotropy In Fibrous Soft Materials By Mr Elastography Of Slow And Fast Shear Waves, John Larson Schmidt

McKelvey School of Engineering Theses & Dissertations

The general objective of this work was to develop experimental methods based on magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) to characterize fibrous soft materials. Mathematical models of tissue biomechanics capable of predicting injury, such as traumatic brain injury (TBI), are of great interest and potential. However, the accuracy of predictions from such models depends on accuracy of the underlying material parameters. This dissertation describes work toward three aims. First, experimental methods were designed to characterize fibrous materials based on a transversely isotropic material model. Second, these methods are applied to characterize the anisotropic properties of white matter brain tissue ex vivo. Third, …

Co-Simulation Framework For Power Distribution System Analysis With Humans In The Loop, Victor H. Ayon

Mechanical Engineering ETDs

Recent developments in the area of power generation have led to an increased penetration of storage and distributed energy resources (DER) in power distribution systems. As a result, new and enhanced energy management systems will be necessary as the deployment of DERs, as well as the need to control loads, continues to increase in the coming years. Advanced management systems are especially important to achieve resilient power delivery during emergency situations. During a blackout for example, a section of a distribution feeder could island to operate as a microgrid to ensure critical services such as water, food, and medical care …

Impact Of Flow Direction On Local Flow Behavior In Biologically-Inspired Flow Passages, Derrick Dewayne Herrin

Honors College Theses

ABSTRACT

A computational fluid dynamics model was utilized to study the effect of flow direction on local flow behavior in biologically-inspired microscale flow networks. Biologically-inspired flow networks have been found to offer numerous advantages when compared with parallel flow networks, particularly in thermal management applications. Flow behavior was examined for a range of bifurcation angles and laminar inlet Reynolds numbers. The computational model was validated with existing theoretical solutions and verified for grid independence. As the bifurcation angle increased, the pressure drop, and thus pumping power, across the biologically-inspired flow networks increased. In addition, as the inlet Reynolds number increased, …

Multiphase Flow Modeling For Design And Optimization Of A Novel Down-Flow Bubble Column, Mutharasu Lalitha Chockalingam

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The application of the Euler-Euler framework based Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) models for simulating the two-phase gas-liquid bubbly flow in down-flow bubble columns is discussed in detail. Emphasis is given towards the modelling and design optimization of a novel down-flow bubble column. The design features of this novel down-flow bubble column and its advantages over a conventional Plunging Jet down-flow bubble column are discussed briefly. Then, some of the present challenges in simulating a conventional Plunging Jet down-flow bubble column in the Euler-Euler framework is highlighted, and a sigmoid function based drag modification function is implemented to overcome those challenges. …

A Framework Towards Technology Creation In Africa: Focusing On Ghana, Martin Yao Donani, Hannatu Abue Kugblenu, Azindow Bawa Fuseini

International Journal of African Development

Underdevelopment in Africa has been historical and a global concern coupled with the quest for good governance. Several efforts have been made in academia, national governments, the international community, and other institutional arrangements to reverse the trend. These efforts however are yet to produce a lasting result as Africa is still characterized by low productivity output, poverty and a widening technology gap when compared to other developing regions of the world. Conventional approaches used to address the African problem have consistently been devoid of indigenous technology development. Technology is here seen as paramount to every form of production on which …

Cloth Folding Machine, Yiwei Liu, Dung Tran, Kexin Wang

Mechanical Engineering Design Project Class

The project was designed to meet the needs of folding clothes for college students, housewives or anyone who has trouble folding clothes. Lots of college students are annoyed by spending time folding clothes based on our customer interviews. In addition, most of clothes folding machine in market are either for industry use or too expensive. We are trying to build a portable automatic clothes folding machine at a cheap cost to serve most people. It not only combined the metrics from existing products but also have two folding patterns, which is more convenient and efficient.

Tissue Stretcher Research Device, Taylor Vitunic, Zhang Liu, Edward Tiemann

Mechanical Engineering Design Project Class

This senior design project resulted in a prototype of a tissue stretcher for a particular need in a lab at WashU. The prototype uses a stepper motor, micrometer, force transducer, linear slide, and manufactured couplings to precisely record the stress strain response of a bio-tissue through different protocols. This is a holistic report encompassing all parts of the design process from the initial goal to design creation and evaluation to assembly.

3d Printed Below-The-Knee Prosthetic Leg, Sam Jamison, Katelin Fournier, Isabelle Agostini

Mechanical Engineering Design Project Class

There are over 2 million amputees in the United States and more than 90 percent of amputations done today are for lower limbs. While there are highly advanced options on the market today, there are still several areas of improvement. For instance, there are not many options that are completely waterproof, and the more advanced ones are extremely expensive and heavy. Our project idea is to create a below-the-knee prosthetic leg that is water resistant, affordable, and promotes comfort. The leg will be designed to disperse the loads and stresses over the whole structure using 3D printing and supporting metal …

Group G: Drink Mixer Ii, Yvette Anguiano, Tristram Wilson, Jacob Rother

Mechanical Engineering Design Project Class

We, group G, want to address the needs of the restaurant industry by facilitating it with the products, alcoholic beverages, that often brings in the most income in a night for the business and for its bartenders. Mixing drinks takes specialized attention, energy, and time and can be a stressful task for bartenders to perform when a restaurant is packed with customers. Waits become longer and drink orders back up until the restaurant empties again. Our group strives to create a product that will ensure each customer is served with fast and efficient service, while still providing the special attention …

Threading Mechanism For A Home Warp Knitting Machine, Daniel Martin, Samuel Fortmann, Andrew O'Sullivan

Mechanical Engineering Design Project Class

A home warp knitting machine has a huge disadvantage compared to weft knitting in that it is very difficult to start up. Though it can provide better quality garments, each needle requires a thread to be individually loaded. If this problem could be mechanically solved, a home warp knitting machine would be feasible. Our machine should be able to spool out the appropriate amount of thread onto smaller spools which can then be loaded into the various needles. However it is able to do this, it should not take up more space than reasonably allocated by thread volume itself, and …

Asme Soccer Robot- Group V, Gonzalo Berluzconi, Lyndon Zhao, Chan-Hwi Cho

Mechanical Engineering Design Project Class

The ASME design challenge, featuring a soccer playing robot theme, was attempted and successfully completed. A robot was built that could move in all directions for translational motion, while a Foosball inspired kicking function completed the design.

Bi-Axial Tissue Stretching Machine: Mems 411 Senior Design Project, Wending Zhu, Martin Valkov, Jordan Patterson

Mechanical Engineering Design Project Class

This report contains information on the development of a device to strain polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel samples. The device was made with the purpose of gathering data on the creation of anisotropy in brain tissue-like materials, such as PVA, by repeatedly subjecting materials to strain in low temperatures.

3d Printed Prosthetic Hand, Mark Sullivan, Bryan Oh, Ian Taylor

Mechanical Engineering Design Project Class

3D printed prosthetic hands are a common medical device for pediatric partial hand patients due to their manufacturability and cost-effectiveness. Current designs employ a single fist grip, but prosthetists agree that the most useful grip is the three-finger chuck. We aim to modify an existing 3D printed prosthetic hand to enable the user to switch between a single fist grip and three-finger chuck as well as lock the grip that is being used.

Blind-Automation Device, Melinda Lai, Dalton Nonweiler, Haley Nichols

Mechanical Engineering Design Project Class

This project is intended to be a safe, easy, and inexpensive addition to existing window covers to maintain consistent indoor lighting by automatically adjusting blinds in response to ambient light levels. Our target customers are homeowners/renters and business owners concerned about employee productivity and wellness. This product will allow homeowners, business owners, and building tenants to increase occupant productivity. Bright sunlight can cause glare, making employees uncomfortable and reducing their productivity, along with their health. The product will automatically adjust window blinds to maintain a comfortable interior lighting level, promoting productivity and the bottom line. The product can also reduce …

Light Activated Blinds Group K, Griffin Beriont, Kessashun Arthur, Madeline Stadler

Mechanical Engineering Design Project Class

The purpose of this project is to develop an attachable device to a pair of rolling blinds that will automatically open them when sunlight is detected and close them when the sun goes down. This device will promote energy efficiency during warmer and colder months. And be a commodity for those who tend to forget to open close blinds.

Habitat Use Of Blacktip Sharks (Carcharhinus Limbatus) At Fishing Piers, Kelsey L. Spencer

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Blacktip sharks (Carcharhinus limbatus) can be observed near fishing piers throughout the summer along the northeast coast of South Carolina. These piers attract and support a wide variety of potential prey and sharks are able to forage on fishers’ discards with minimal energetic cost. I tagged 12 blacktip sharks with acoustic transmitters, monitored piers with acoustic receivers, and conducted pier-creel surveys to determine the habitat use of blacktip sharks at fishing piers, factors that influenced residence time and presence/absence at piers, and any cyclical patterns in visits to piers. Data were analyzed with pier association indices (PAI), mixed models, and …