Engineering Commons^™

Stochastic Reconstruction Of Multiple Source Atmospheric Contaminant Dispersion Events, Derek Wade, Inanc Senocak

Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Reconstruction of intentional or accidental release of contaminants into the atmosphere using concentration measurements from a sensor network constitutes an inverse problem. An added complexity arises when the contaminant is released from multiple sources. Determining the correct number of sources is critical because an incorrect estimation could mislead and delay response efforts. We present a Bayesian inference method coupled with a composite ranking system to reconstruct multiple source contaminant release events. Our approach uses a multi-source data-driven Gaussian plume model as the forward model to predict the concentrations at sensor locations. Bayesian inference with Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) sampling ...

Airborne Dual-Polarization Observations Of The Sea-Surface Nrcs At C-Band In High Winds, Joseph W. Sapp, Stephen J. Frasier, Jason Dvorsky, Paul S. Chang, Zorana Jelenak

Joseph W Sapp

Airborne dual-polarization observations of sea-surface normalized radar cross-section (NRCS) were conducted over the North Atlantic during Jan–Feb 2011. Observations were made using the University of Massachusetts’ Imaging Wind and Rain Airborne Profiler (IWRAP) radar system installed on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) WP-3D research aircraft during several winter storm events to determine the high-wind response of the sea-surface NRCS for both horizontal and vertical polarizations. During the flights, the aircraft performed several constant-roll circle maneuvers to allow collection of NRCS over a range of incidence angles. We find consistency with prior reports in the polarization ratio ...

Engineering Technology Management Graduate Student Online Learning Preferences, Mark Doggett

Mark Doggett

As online graduate programs continue to grow, so does the availability of learning media and delivery tools. Faculty and students are increasingly using web-based means of communication such as blogs, wikis, discussion boards, and collaborative tools in addition to assigning traditional readings, lecture notes, homework, writing exercises, and examinations. There have always been multiple choices available to instructors for the delivery of content and the assessment of learning, but now there are more varieties of instructional technologies from which to choose. Given the choice, are there certain online approaches that engineering technology management graduate students prefer? Qualitative and quantitative data ...

Anatomical Loading On A Uwb Antenna For Shoe Toe Box, Domenico Gaetano, Patrick Mcevoy, Max Ammann, C Brannigan, Louise Keating, Frances Horgan

Conference Papers

A UWB 6.0-8.5 GHz monopole antenna for mounting on the toe­box area of footwear is designed using a detailed model of a running shoe and a foot-shaped phantom. Variation of anatomical features between individual people gives rise to different proximity and permittivity loads on the antenna. To take account of environment, the antenna design optimization considers different proximity distances for impact on the reflection coefficient and on the radiation efficiency.

Multiple Input Single Output (Miso) Tablet/ Phone Charger, Kevin Wong

Master's Theses and Project Reports

This thesis entails the design and implementation of a multiple input single output (MISO) DC-DC converter using the flyback topology to charge tablets/ smartphones or any USB powered portable device. The MISO converter will enable the use of various renewable energy sources such as a solar panel/ rechargeable battery combination, bicycle dynamo, hydroelectric power, and wind turbine. This paper will cover the design, simulations, and test results of the MISO converter. The flyback topology was chosen due to its low part count and its efficiency at low power. The proposed converter has a nominal 12V input to output USB 2 ...

Using Biodiversity To Link Agricultural Productivity With Environmental Quality: Results From Three Field Experiments In Iowa, Matthew Z. Liebman, Matthew J. Helmers, Lisa A. Schulte-Moore, Craig A. Chase

Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Publications and Papers

Agriculture in the US Corn Belt is under increasing pressure to produce greater quantities of food, feed and fuel, while better protecting environmental quality. Key environmental problems in this region include water contamination by nutrients and herbicides emitted from cropland, a lack of non-agricultural habitat to support diverse communities of native plants and animals, and a high level of dependence on petrochemical energy in the dominant cropping systems. In addition, projected changes in climate for this region, which include increases in the proportion of precipitation coming from extreme events could make soil and water conservation in existing cropping systems more ...

Reconfigurable Threshold Logic Gates Using Memristive Devices, Adrian Rothenbuhler, Thanh Tran, Elisa H. Barney Smith, Vishal Saxena, Kristy A. Campbell

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

We present our design exploration of reconfigurable Threshold Logic Gates (TLG) implemented using silver–chalcogenide memristive devices combined with CMOS circuits. Results from simulations and physical circuits are shown. A variety of linearly separable logic functions including AND, OR, NAND, NOR have been realized in discrete hardware using a single-layer TLG. The functionality can be changed between these operations by reprogramming the resistance of the memristive devices.

An Fptas For Total Weighted Earliness Tardiness Problem With Constant Number Of Distinct Due Dates And Polynomially Related Weights, Jingjing Huang

Open Access Dissertations and Theses

We are given a sequence of jobs on a single machine, and each job has a weight, processing time and a due date. A job is early when it finishes before or on its due date and its earliness is the amount of time between its completion time and its due date. A job is tardy when it finishes after its due date and its tardiness is the amount of time between its due date and its completion time. The TWET problem is to find a schedule which minimizes the total weighted earliness and tardiness. We are focusing on the ...

Semicontinuous Separation Of Dimethyl Ether From Biomass, Alicia A. Pascall

Open Access Dissertations and Theses

Environmental concerns about greenhouse gas emissions and energy security are the main drivers for the production of alternative fuels from bio-based feedstock. Dimethyl ether has attracted interest of many researches and is touted as “A fuel for the 21^st century” due to its versatility. However, the production of DME from biomass is dependent on the overall economics of its production.

This thesis considers the application of semicontinuous distillation to improve the economics of the separation section in a biomass-to-DME facility. Semicontinuous distillation systems operate in a forced cycle to effect multiple separations using a single distillation column integrated with ...

Feasability Of Nickel Sulphide As A Cathode In A Galvanic Coupled Anodic Protection System For Use In Concentrated Sulphuric Acid Systems, Aniruddho Pal

Open Access Dissertations and Theses

Anodic protection has shown to be a viable method for reducing corrosion rates of stainless steels over a wide range of temperatures and is used to protect equipment in H₂SO₄ manufacturing. While effective at controlling corrosion in H2SO4 manufacturing, Impressed Current Anodic Protection (ICAP) systems have shown to have a number of issues. They require a constant source of current to ensure reliable corrosion protection; are relatively complex systems and expensive to install; improper potential control can lead to loss of corrosion protection; and some issues with cathode fouling and erosion have been reported. Galvanic Coupled Anodic ...

Retrofit Of Structural Steel Columns Using Frp-Concrete Composite Systems, Joel Linde

Open Access Dissertations and Theses

Fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) - confined concrete-steel composite columns have been recently introduced as a retrofit technique for structural steel columns. This technique involves placing an FRP tube around an in situ steel column and subsequently filling the void between the steel section and the FRP tube with concrete to create a composite column. The composite action occurs due to the concrete encasing the steel section and the FRP confining the concrete. An experimental investigation has been undertaken to evaluate: the effect of adding a steel W section to confined concrete; the effect of using a split tube system as a ...

Surface Modification Of Polydimethylsiloxane With A Covalent Antithrombin-Heparin Complex For Blood Contacting Applications, Jennifer M. Leung

Open Access Dissertations and Theses

Medical devices used for diagnosis and treatment often involve the exposure of the patient’s blood to biomaterials that are foreign to the body, and blood-material contact may trigger coagulation and lead to thrombotic complications. Therefore, the risk of thrombosis and the issue of blood compatibility are limitations in the development of biomaterials for blood-contacting applications. The objective of this research was to develop a dual strategy for surface modification of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) to prevent thrombosis by (1) grafting polyethylene glycol (PEG) to inhibit non-specific protein adsorption, and (2) covalently attaching an antithrombin-heparin (ATH) covalent complex to the distal end ...

Effect Of Carboxylmethyl Cellulose Coating And Osmotic Dehydration On Freeze Drying Kinetics Of Apple Slices, Jamshid Rahimi

Jamshid Rahimi

No abstract provided.

The American’S With Disabilities Act Compliance And Library Acquisitions, Angela Dresselhaus

Angela Dresselhaus

The move from print to electronic materials was the catalyst for many changes in the library community. Libraries have reorganized staff to accommodate electronic workflows, have grappled with digital preservation and have considered the changing roles of libraries in digital scholarship. Vendors have developed electronic resource management systems, link resolvers, discovery layers, and other tools to help libraries manage the transition from print to electronic collections. This talk will address one of the remaining issues of the print to electronic transition; accessibility for patrons with differing abilities. ADA compliance issues are well addressed in the print realm, but the transition ...

2 Weeks In 20 Minutes: How Marquette University Customized Libcal, Robert L. Nunez Ii

Robert L Nunez II

No abstract provided.

The Effects Of A Collaborative Problem-Based Learning Experience On Students’ Motivation In Engineering Capstone Courses, Brett D. Jones, Cory M. Epler, Parastou Mokri, Lauren H. Bryant, Marie C. Paretti

Interdisciplinary Journal of Problem-based Learning

We identified and examined how the instructional elements of problem-based learning capstone engineering courses affected students’ motivation to engage in the courses. We employed a two-phase, sequential, explanatory, mixed methods research design. For the quantitative phase, 47 undergraduate students at a large public university completed a questionnaire that measured the components of the MUSIC Model of Academic Motivation (Jones, 2009): empowerment, usefulness, success, situational interest, individual interest, academic caring, and personal caring. For the qualitative phase that followed, 10 students answered questions related to the MUSIC components. We identified several instructional elements that led to motivating opportunities that affected students ...

31 - تحليل تاثيرات استفاده از عايقهاي تغيير فاز دهنده بر ميزان کاهش مصرف سالانه انرژي ساختمان در اقليم هاي مختلف ايران, Alireza Zolfaghari, Mehran Sa'adati-Nasab, Mohamad Rahimpour, Hamed Moslehi, Mohamad Solhi

Dr Alireza Zolfaghari

No abstract provided.

30 - تحليل ميزان تاثيرگذاري جنس پوسته خارجي ساختمان بر عملکرد سيستم گرمايش قرنيزي در اقليم تهران, Bahman Sekhavatmand, Alireza Zolfaghari, Mohamad Rahimpour, Hamed Moslehi, Mehran Sa'adati-Nasab

Dr Alireza Zolfaghari

No abstract provided.

Etd Conversion Utility, Logan E. Jewett

Digital Repository Outreach and Workshops

This presentation describes the development and operation of an ETD Conversion Utility created to prepare electronic theses and dissertations (ETD) received from ProQuest for deposit in Iowa State University's Digital Commons-based institutional repository.

Magnetron Sputtering Of Ni-Ti Thin Film Simulation By Using Embedded Atom Model, Ajit Behera

Ajit Behera

Nickel-Titanium Thinfilm shape memory alloys formed by sputtering have been promising candidates for the realization of powerful actuators in microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) such as micro valves, micro fluid pumps and micromanipulators. In order to increase the actuation response of the microactuator utilizing SMA thin films, it is necessary to study the sputtering process parameter. The present work simulates the movement of Ni and Ti atoms on NiTi film During impingement, revealed re-sputtering, which is manipulated by Classical molecular dynamics simulation.

Pstat: Promoting Sustainable Transportation Among Teens, Jordan Bryner, Yi Ying Chin, Candice Patton, Rebekah Patton, Christopher Stanfill, Rick Wheeler, Jeffrey Keith Clark Ii, Paul Frymier, Chris Cherry, David Irick, Leon Tolbert

Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Publications and Other Works

Can an innovative, team-based, hands-on design and construction project involving high school students change their attitudes and personal preferences for transportation to favor lower impact modes? This was the main question PSTAT (Promoting Sustainable Transportation Among Teens) sought to answer. Since the last decade, global climate change has fuelled increased development of alternative transportation modes that have lesser impact on the environment. However, society is not embracing the change with open arms. Therefore, there is a critical need for a paradigm shift, which could be especially timely for teen-aged students starting to adopt their own personal transportation preferences. By exposing ...

Biomedical Photoacoustic Imaging Using Gas-Coupled Laser Acoustic Detection, Jami Johnson

Student Research Initiatives

Several detection methods have been explored for photoacoustic and ultrasound imaging of biological tissues. Piezoelectric transducers are commonly used, which require contact with the sample to be imaged and have limiting bandwidth characteristics. Interferometry detection exhibits improved bandwidth characteristics and resolution, yet generally require complicated optics and the incorporation of a contacting reflective medium. In this paper, we report the use of a noncontact photoacoustic imaging system that does not require the use of a reflective layer. A simple, robust technique known as gas-coupled laser acoustic detection is used, which has previously been applied to evaluation of composite materials. This ...

College Of Engineering Senior Design Competition Spring 2013, University Of Nevada, Las Vegas

Senior Projects (COE)

Senior Design Experience

Part of every UNLV engineering student's academic experience, the Senior Design project stimulates engineering innovation and entrepreneurship. Each student in their senior year chooses, plans, designs and prototypes a product in this required element of the curriculum. Working in teams, the senior design project encourages students to use everything learned in the engineering and computer design programs to create a practical, real world solution to an engineering challenge.

Beyond the classroom ...

Because of the requirement to work in teams, students also build good communication skills, presentation skills and even business writing skills. They also have to ...

29 - تأثير بکارگيري مواد تغيير فازدهنده در پوسته خارجي ساختمان بر ايجاد شرايط آسايش حرارتي ساکنان بدون نياز به سيستم گرمايش/سرمايش, Mohamad Solhi, Alireza Zolfaghari, Mohamad Fathian, Hamed Moslehi, Mohamad Rahim-Pour, Mehran Sa'adati-Nasab

Dr Alireza Zolfaghari

No abstract provided.

Spurlock, Christy Leigh, B. 1963 (Mss 451), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

MSS Finding Aids

Finding aid only for Manuscripts Small Collection 451. Paper titled “White Stone Quarry of Bowling Green, KY” written by Christy Leigh Spurlock for a Western Kentucky University history department independent study project. Includes research materials such as maps, deeds, photos, and transcriptions of interviews with former quarry employees and their family members.

Desktop Warfare: Robotic Collaboration For Persistent Surveillance, Situational Awareness And Combat Operations, Jeremy Straub

Jeremy Straub

Robotic sensing and weapons platforms can be controlled from a desktop workstation on the other side of the planet from where combat is occurring. This minimizes the potential for injury to soldiers and increases operational productivity. Significant work has been undertaken and is ongoing related to the autonomous control of battlefield sensing and warfighting systems. While many aspects of these operations can be performed autonomously, in some cases it is necessary (due to technical limitations) or desirable (due to legal or political implications) to involve humans in the low-level decision making. This paper reviews a number of specific applications where ...

Spatial Computing In An Orbital Environment: An Exploration Of The Unique Constraints Of This Special Case To Other Spatial Computing Environments, Jeremy Straub

Jeremy Straub

The creation of an orbital services model (where spacecraft expose their capabilities for use by other spacecraft as part of a service-for-hire or barter system) requires effective determination of how to best transmit information between the two collaborating spacecraft. Existing approaches developed for ad hoc networking (e.g., wireless networks with users entering and departing in a pseudo-random fashion) exist; however, these fail to generate optimal solutions as they ignore a critical piece of available information. This additional piece of information is the orbital characteristics of the spacecraft. A spacecraft’s orbit is nearly deterministic if the magnitude and direction ...

A Review Of Online Collaboration Tools Used By The Und Openorbiter Program, Jeremy Straub, Christoffer Korvald

Jeremy Straub

The OpenOrbiter program at the University of North Dakota is a student-initiated, student-run effort to design, develop, test, launch and operate a CubeSat-class spacecraft to validate the designs of the Open Prototype for Educational NanoSatellites (a framework that will be made publically-available to allow faster and lower-cost missions at other educational institutions worldwide). OpenOrbiter involves (at various participation levels) over 200 faculty and students spanning five colleges and ten departments. To coordinate this large group of participants who comprise over seventeen teams and work at disjoint hours in a plethora of locations, online project management, software source control and hardware ...

Improving Cultural Approaches To Pediatric Palliative Care In Central Massachusetts, Nancy E. Harger, Rn, Ms Lis, Usmani Naheed, Md, Jennifer Costa, Pnp, Estela Mcdonough

Library Publications and Presentations

Objectives: To determine the impact of a web tool developed to improve health care providers' ability and comfort in caring for a diverse patient population in the hospital setting.

Methods: The pediatric palliative care team including a pediatric oncologist and a nurse practitioner in association with a clinical medical librarian and a hospital-based interpreter, collaborated to create a resource using SpringShare software to create a library guide. The purpose is to provide cultural and palliative care information resources, books, and journal articles to assist health care workers at UMass Memorial Children's Medical Center in caring for children from the ...

Altmetrics And Institutional Repositories: A Health Sciences Library Experiment, Lisa A. Palmer

Library Publications and Presentations

A brief overview of UMass Medical School's recent application of altmetrics in one collection in the medical school's institutional repository, eScholarship@UMMS.