Digital Commons Network^™

High Capacity Lithium-Ion Battery Characterization For Vehicular Applications, Sazzad Hossain Ahmed

Masters Theses

A lithium-ion battery is one of the key research topics in energy storage technologies. Major characterization tests such as static capacity, open circuit voltage (OCV), hybrid pulse power characterization (HPPC) have been conducted on two different chemistries, LiMnNi and LiFePO₄, high capacity lithium-ion batteries over a wide range of temperatures from 50ºC to -30ºC. Detail analysis of temperature effects on battery capacity and simple models of direct current resistance (DCR) increment and power decrement over temperatures have been proposed using the test results. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) tests have been performed to find out the dominant internal resistances …

Predicting Enzyme Targets For Optimization Of Metabolic Networks Under Uncertainty, David Christopher Flowers

Masters Theses

Recently, ensemble modeling was applied to metabolic networks for the sake of predicting the effects of genetic manipulations on the observed phenotype of the system. The ensemble of models is generated from experimental wild-type flux data and screened using phenotypic data from gene overexpression and knockout experiments, leaving predictive models. The need for data from multiple genetic perturbation experiments is an inherent limitation to this approach. In this investigation, ensemble modeling is used alongside elementary mode analysis to attempt to predict those enzymatic perturbations that are most likely to result in an increase in a target yield and a target …

Validation Of Weak Form Thermal Analysis Algorithms Supporting Thermal Signature Generation, Elton Lewis Freeman

Masters Theses

Extremization of a weak form for the continuum energy conservation principle differential equation naturally implements fluid convection and radiation as flux Robin boundary conditions associated with unsteady heat transfer. Combining a spatial semi-discretization via finite element trial space basis functions with time-accurate integration generates a totally node-based algebraic statement for computing. Closure for gray body radiation is a newly derived node-based radiosity formulation generating piecewise discontinuous solutions, while that for natural-forced-mixed convection heat transfer is extracted from the literature. Algorithm performance, mathematically predicted by asymptotic convergence theory, is subsequently validated with data obtained in 24 hour diurnal field experiments for …

Heat Transfer Analysis Via Rate Based Sensors, Jake Erik Plewa

Masters Theses

This work presents an integrated rate-based sensor and method for resolving the surface heat flux of a fundamental inverse heat conduction problem without numerical regularization or differentiation in a semi-infinite geometry that additionally accounts for thermocouple delay due to its intrinsic time constant. The sensor uses well-designed analog filters to directly regularize raw voltage data to eliminate the need for numerical regularization methods. The sensor can also be used in a series of well-designed voltage-rate interfaces that directly measure the voltages from in-depth thermocouples, which are used in conjunction with the thermocouple calibration curve to provide higher-time derivatives of the …

Exploring Anaerobic Reductive Dechlorination At Low Ph Environments, Yi Yang

Masters Theses

Chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons (CAHs), such as tetrachloroethene (PCE) and trichloroethene (TCE), are ubiquitously pollutants in aquifer sediments and groundwater due to their heavy usage in industry and inappropriate disposal in the last century. Among about 1300 NPL (National Priorities List) sites, PCE and TCE are the two most frequently detected hazardous contaminants.

Engineered bioremediation, including biostimulation and bioaugmentation, is a promising technology to clean those PCE and/or TCE contaminated sites. However, in many contaminated groundwater systems and hazardous waste sites, pH can be lower than 5 to 6. And release of HCl (strong acid) from anaerobic reductive dechlorination may lower …

The Implementation Of A Versatile Pseudodynamic Hybrid Simulation For Seismic Evaluation Of Structural Systems, Chelsea Griffith

Masters Theses

Pseudodynamic hybrid simulation technique was developed to evaluate structural seismic performance by physically testing the critical portion with the remaining structure simulated using a numerical model in the computer. An incremental approach was adopted in developing the control scheme to suit multiple testing facilities and test specimens. First the small scale, predictable specimen was utilized to investigate techniques of improving stability, slowing down the loading rate and triggering the accurate force measurement in a series of at benchmark scale experiments in the Laboratory of Earthquake and Structural Simulation at Western Michigan University (WMU). A step/hold command scheme was developed and …

Experimental Determination Of Colburn And Friction Factors In Small Plate Heat Exchangers With High Surface Enlargement Factors, Andrew H. Pike

Masters Theses

Experiments were conducted to measure the performance of several small brazed plate heat exchangers. A test apparatus was designed and constructed that allowed for the easy switching of the plate heat exchangers, as well as having the ability to electronically monitor and record the inlet and outlet temperatures, pressures, and flow rates. The flow rates and applied electrical power were controlled electronically by the same program which recorded the data. De-ionized water was used as the heat transfer medium to reduce the uncertainty related to fluid properties.

An existing mathematical model was used to create Colburn and friction factors based …

Power Transmission Line Fault Classification Using Support Vector Machines, Zhuokang Jia

Masters Theses

Electrical transmission lines are prone to faults and failures. When a fault occurs, it is impossible most of the times to fix it manually. Many methods have been adopted in the past in order to serve the purpose as fault diagnosing application. In this thesis, I discuss the method of Support Vector Machine (SVM) for fault diagnosis. SVM has the edge of good generalization over other fault diagnosing applications because it is based on pattern recognize algorithms. The aim is to classify the type of fault in the lines. Furthermore, in this work, the current and voltage of each phase …

Estimates Of Glacier Mass Loss And Contribution To Streamflow: Wind River Range (Wyoming, Usa), Jeffrey Allen Marks

Masters Theses

The Wind River Range is a continuous mountain range approximately 160 km in length in west-central Wyoming. The Wind River Range is host to roughly 680 snow and ice bodies with 63 of these considered glaciers including seven of the ten largest glaciers in the American Rocky Mountains. The presence of glaciers results in meltwater contributions to streamflow during the late summer (July, August, and September – JAS) when snowmelt is decreasing, temperatures are high, precipitation is low, and irrigation demand continues. Most studies indicate that the glaciers in the Wind River Range have been retreating since the 1850’s, the …

Evaluation Of Tagging Techniques Gamma-Decay Probabilities Using The Surrogate Method, Timothy Lee Reed

Masters Theses

A detailed analysis of the statistical and discrete [gamma]-decay tagging techniques was conducted using the absolute surrogate and surrogate ratio method (SRM) to obtain the 92Mo(n,[gamma]) cross section in an equivalent neutron energy range of 80 to 880 keV. Excited 93Mo and 95Mo nuclei were populated using (d,p) reactions on 92Mo and 94Mo targets, respectively. The absolute surrogate 92Mo(n,[gamma]) cross sections disagreed with evaluated neutron capture cross section data by as much as a factor of 4 using the statistical tagging approach, whereas the discrete [gamma]-decay tag absolute surrogate cross section disagreed with the evaluated neutron capture cross section by …

Fatigue Behavior Of High-Entropy Alloys, Michael Alexander Hemphill

Masters Theses

Research was performed on the Al₉Co_18.2Cr_18.2Cu_18.2Fe_18.2Ni_18.2 [subscripts atomic percent] and Al_7.5Cr_22.5Fe₃₅Mn₂₀Ni₁₅ high-entropy alloys (HEAs) in an attempt to study their fatigue behavior. The present investigation shows encouraging fatigue-resistance characteristics due to their high fatigue lives of various samples at relatively high stresses. The current results indicate that the fatigue behavior of HEAs compares favorably to many conventional alloys, such as steels, titanium alloys, and advanced bulk metallic glasses with a fatigue-endurance limit of the Al₉Co_18.2Cr_{18.2 …}

Characterizing The Concentration, Duration, And Frequency Of Turbid Events In Tennessee Streams: Potential For Macroinvertebrate Impairment, Robert Ryan Woockman

Masters Theses

The impairment of lotic systems due to siltation is one of the most common factors leading to a stream being placed on the 303d list. Once a stream reach is placed on the 303d list, a state’s environmental regulatory agency must then develop sediment total maximum daily loads (TMDLs). However, a deficiency exists in available methods for assessing biotic response to siltation, creating the inability to set TMDLs functionally related to cause of impairment. Water quality sondes can collect voluminous amounts of turbidity data and stage data at intervals that can be used to characterize concentration, duration, and frequency (CDF) …

Application Of Highway Capacity Manual 2010 Level-Of-Service Methodologies For Planning Deficiency Analysis, James Oliver Ensley

Masters Theses

Influence on investment in the infrastructure is critical for decision-making by State planning departments. Judgments which are made for funding purposes and are based on limited data analysis by states can results in economic disasters for the state and nation. The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) uses the Evaluation of Roadway Efficiency (EVE) database to prioritize the importance of roadway projects in the state. In addition, EVE is also used as a method to provide deficiency analysis results for roadways in the state. This study will add support to the methodology of the current decision-making process in regards to Tennessee …

Lignin Yield Maximization Of Lignocellulosic Biomass By Taguchi Robust Product Design Using Organosolv Fractionation, Anton Friedrich Astner

Masters Theses

Lignin, a byproduct of the organosolv pretreatment process using lignocellulosic biomass from switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) and tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera) is currently being explored for its potential use in the production of value-added chemicals and biobased polymers. Pretreatment is one of the most expensive processing steps in cellulosic biomass conversion. Optimization of the process is one of the major goals of the biomass-toethanol conversion process. Taguchi Robust Product Design (TRPD) provides an effective engineering experimental design method for optimizing a system and designing products that are robust to process variations. Given the results of several preliminary …

Utilization Of Rainwater As A Supplementary Water Source For Cooling Tower Makeup: A Sustainability Strategy For Potable Water Use Reduction, Elizabeth Stassun Costello

Masters Theses

The use of rainwater as a supplementary water source for cooling water makeup was explored in an effort to reduce the potable water demand of theUniversityofTennessee’sKnoxvillecampus. A water quality analysis involving the measurement of parameters relevant to cooling tower operation was conducted on tap water currently used for makeup supply and rainwater collected from the roof of a campus building. In anticipation of limited rainwater supplies due to issues of catchment surface area, collection efficiency, storage capacity, and climatic conditions, blends of rainwater and tap water were also analyzed. The dissolved solids concentration of the rainwater was significantly lower than …

Exploration Of Neural Structures For Dynamic System Control, Scott Frederick Hansen

Masters Theses

Biological neural systems are powerful mechanisms for controlling biological sys- tems. While the complexity of biological neural networks makes exact simulation intractable, several key aspects lend themselves to implementation on computational systems.

This thesis constructs a discrete event neural network simulation that implements aspects of biological neural networks. A combined genetic programming/simulated annealing approach is utilized to design network structures that function as regulators for continuous time dynamic systems in the presence of process noise when simulated using a discrete event neural simulation.

Methods of constructing such networks are analyzed including examination of the final network structure and the algorithm …

Melt Blown Poly(Lactic Acid) For Application As A Tissue Engineering Scaffold, William Horst Gazzola

Masters Theses

Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) was melt blown (MB) under varying processing conditions to create webs with micro and nano-architecture. Processing parameters varied were primary air flow rate and collector distance. In total, twenty-one webs were produced and the physical properties of the webs were investigated including, mean fiber diameter and fiber diameter distribution, mean pore diameter and pore size distribution, web thickness, degree of crystallinity, tensile modulus and degradation rate. Four webs, two with micro and two with nano-architecture, thought suitable for use as tissue engineering scaffolds were selected for seeding with A375 human malignant melanoma cells. Cell culture was conducted …

Impacts Of Beetle Kill On Modeled Streamflow Response In The North Platte River Basin, Jordan Andrew Rudolph

Masters Theses

A beetle epidemic has been sweeping its way across the western United States and into portions of southern Canada that has caused millions of acres of forests to ultimately die. This beetle outbreak, that many have come to know simply as “beetle kill”, has caused many scientists to feel that such dramatic changes in land cover could potentially alter the hydrology throughout much of the West. One of the most important hydrological processes that beetle kill has the potential to impact is streamflow. This paper attempts to evaluate the hydrological impacts on streamflow from land cover change due to beetle …

Design Of A Neutron Detector Capable Of Replacing He-3 Detectors Utilizing Thin Polymeric Films, Matthew J. Urffer

Masters Theses

There exists a significant need to develop a new neutron detection system which would reduce the dependency on the current He-3 based detectors for Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO) applications. One of the technologies being developed is the use of Li-6 (thermal cross section of 940 barns) in scintillating polymeric thin films. The purpose of this research is to provide a framework for the characterization of thin polymeric films in terms of meeting the detection requirements set forth by the governing bodies, most notability a detector count rate of 2.5 cps/ng with and only misclassifying a neutron as a gamma …

Processing, Microstructures, And Mechanical Behavior Of High-Entropy Alloys, Zhi Tang

Masters Theses

Recently, high-entropy alloys (HEAs) have attracted increasing attentions because of their unique compositions, microstructures, and adjustable properties. In this work, microstructure and phase composition of the AlCoCrFeNi high-entropy alloy (HEA) were studied in as-cast and heat-treated conditions. Using a combination of Electron Backscatter Diffraction (EBSD), X-ray energy spectroscopy analysis, and synchrotron X-ray diffraction techniques, two nonequilibrium phases were identified in the as-cast condition: BCC_A2 and B2. Long-term heat treatment transformed these nonequilibrium phases into four equilibrium phases: FCC_A1, BCC_A2, B2, and σ [sigma] phase. The electron microscopic results were consistent with thermodynamic simulations of the equilibrium …

Statistical And Numerical Integrated Approach For Detecting Onset Of Prefabricated Bridge Component Connection Deterioration, Cem Mansiz

Masters Theses

Bridges are the substantial part of the transportation infrastructure. Most recent report shows that of the 605,086 bridges in the United States, 67,526 (11%) are deemed structurally deficient, and 76,363 (13%) are declared functionally obsolete (FHWA, 2011). Deck is the shelter of a bridge that is subjected to severe loads due to exposure and traffic. Importance of detecting deck deterioration is further highlighted with the introduction of accelerated bridge construction (ABC) where prefabricated components are brought to the site, assembled, and connected using field cast joints. However, durability performance of field cast connections is not encouraging. Hence, continuous monitoring of …

Computational Analysis Of A Wing Oscillator, Ryne Derrick Radermacher

Masters Theses

An analysis of a newly proposed wind power extraction device called a wing oscillator was performed using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). A wing oscillator is a device that consists of two airfoils attached to a central pivot by means of a frame or shaft. Oscillatory motion is produced by controlling the angle of attack of the airfoils as a fluid flow is passed over the device. A robust mathematical scheme was developed to investigate the performance of the wing oscillator and was hooked to the CFD software package FLUENT through User Defined Functions (UDFs). Using the dynamic meshing analysis methods …

A Validation Study Of The Amp Nuclear Fuel Performance Code, Aaron Martin Phillippe

Masters Theses

The Advanced Multi-Physics (AMP) Fuel Performance Code is a fully coupled, 3-dimensional (3D) code currently in development at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) for the purposes of advanced fuel performance evaluation and simulation. The purpose of this study was to investigate and examine the capabilities of AMP, as developed so far, in thermo-mechanical evaluations of experimental benchmark data. The IFA-432 and IFA-597 datasets from the Nuclear Energy Agency’s (NEA) International Fuel Performance Experiments (IFPE) database were examined, and a code-to-code comparison made against FRAPCON-3.4, a one dimensional (1D) code used by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for fuel licensing. …

Wireless Power Transfer System With Power Factor Correction For Electric Vehicles, Michael Christopher Pickelsimer

Masters Theses

Wireless power transfer is currently a popular topic of research. Because there are no mechanical connections between the transmitter and receiver, power can be transferred whenever a system is within range of a transmitter. Coil-to-coil efficiencies of over 95% at multiple kW have been recorded by researchers, proving that this type of charger has the potential to be a viable charging solution. Electric vehicles are a primary target for this technology because wireless power transfer systems may be able to provide power both while the vehicle is stationary or while in motion.

Despite the promises of high efficiency and high …

The Influence Of Coating Structure On Sheet-Fed Offset Ink Setting Rates, Ting Chen

Masters Theses

Much attention has been paid to the study of quickset ink setting as a complex ink-coating interaction. Offset ink setting rates are typically measured as ink splitting forces versus time and the slope of the regression line obtained from a plot of these measured values is reported, but scant attention has been paid to the deviations from that straight line. An initial slow ink setting rate is desired to minimize back-trap mottle, carryover picking and piling and enhance ink gloss; then a faster ink setting rate during sheet delivery to the pile is desired to reduce the likelihood of ink …

The Reduction Of Glycerol Flow In A Porous Medium Through A Barrier Coating Application, Thomas Tran

Masters Theses

Coatings for paper are categorized into two groups: pigmented or functional. Functional coatings provide functionality in addition to the normal coating properties. Functional coatings can be used for friction control, release properties, abrasion resistance, and barrier properties. A coating that is designed to control barrier properties can be categorized into a sub-group of functional coatings called barrier coatings.

Barrier coatings can retard or eliminate the flow of fluids thru a coated substrate. The barrier can be effective in repelling or resisting the transmission rate of numerous fluids including moisture, oil, oxygen, grease, and glycerol. Barrier coatings have many useful applications …

Absorber Geometry Optimization For A New Wave Energy Converter, Rachel A. Durren

Masters Theses

Alternative energy technologies are on the forefront of research due to the rising costs of oil and natural gas. One relatively under development source of energy is ocean waves. In order to make the use of ocean waves economically viable, the amount of energy absorbed by wave energy converters (WEC) must be optimized. The research within presents a new conceptual design, "Aqua Fly", for a WEC with emphasis on maximizing the amount of energy absorbed. The energy absorption component of the "Aqua Fly" was isolated and a small scale 2-D study of energy absorption. First, the amount of energy in …

Fabrication Of Printed Substrate For Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy, Ali Eshkeiti

Masters Theses

A novel surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) substrate was successfully fabricated on a silicon wafer using inkjet printing and on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) using gravure printing. Silver (Ag) nanoparticle (NP) based ink, was used for roughening of the surface of silicon and PET. A thickness of 400 nm was measured for the printed Ag NP printed film on silicon and the thickness of the single and double layered films on PET were measured as 340 nm and 680 nm, respectively by using vertical scanning interferometry. The Ag NP printed SERS substrate was tested for application with heavy metal compounds like …

Multi-Tag Access For A High Precision Ultra-Wideband Localization System, Nathan Carl Rowe

Masters Theses

Ultra-Wideband (UWB) wireless positioning systems have many advantages for track- ing and locating items in indoor environments. Surgical navigation and industrial process control are potential applications for high accuracy UWB localization systems with millimeter or sub-millimeter accuracy. I present improvements made to an existing high accuracy, multi-tag, UWB localization system. The goal of this thesis was to improve the multi-tag performance of this system while maintaining the high localization accuracy, and to utilize the UWB system for digital communications allowing the existing narrowband 2.4 GHz transceiver to be eliminated.

This thesis presents a proof-of-concept for a multi-tag, UWB localization system …

Utility Of 1,2,4-Triazoles As Catalysts For Orr In Fuel Cells, Chinmay Nagesh Dabke

Masters Theses

The Oxygen Reduction Reaction (ORR) taking place at the cathode of a fuel cell is catalyzed by Platinum due to its high activity and good stability in the acidic polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) environment. Due to its prohibitive cost and limited reserves, it is not practical to use Pt as the catalyst for mass commercialization. By taking inspiration from nature, we have devised a series of catalysts which will help in replacing Platinum at the cathode in commercial fuel cells. To gauge the activity of various ligands, metal salts and carbon surfaces, adsorbed experiments were carried out and …