Engineering Commons^™

Computational Predictions Of Heart Failure Drug Effects On Cardiac Fibrosis, Aaron Gardner

Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

The extracellular matrix is a complex system surrounding cells that is crucial to all of the cardiovascular system’s functions. Fibrosis is an excessive accumulation (scarring) of the extracellular matrix. Fibrosis is typically a negative event, and the scarring must be reduced in the heart in order to maintain its functionality. Due to this, simulations are run using the software “Netflux” in order to determine the effects of different heart failure drugs on cardiac fibrosis. The drugs that were simulated were an ACE Inhibitor, BAR Beta Blocker, ARB Blocker, and Entresto. These drugs were simulated over 50 hours at three different …

Integrating Galectin-3 Into A Computational Model Of Cardiac Fibrosis Progression, Adam Pieratt

Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Cardiac fibrosis, a large contributor to heart failure, is the excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix in response to stress or injury. There are no approved treatments for cardiac fibrosis, and targeting specific species involved creates complex problems for drug development, so a computational model of the cardiac fibroblast signaling network can be used to observe the interactions involved in the progression of cardiac fibrosis. In this paper, a new protein called galectin-3 is integrated into this existing model, and connections are established to expand the coverage of the network. The additions are described, simulated using Netflux biological system simulation software, …

Optimization Of Collagen And Cell Concentrations For Engineered Tissues, Avery Fiser

Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Improvements regarding the drug discovery process are necessary due to less than 1% of drugs making it from the initial discovery phase to patient treatment in clinics. One method of enhancing this process involves improving the relevance and dependability of in vitro testbeds utilized during pre-clinical testing. Improvement along these factors can provide a more relevant view for eventual drug behavior in patients. This additional relevance can allow for a reduced timeline in drug development for improving patient care. A consistent and morphologically sound baseline engineered tissue is vital to the creation of successful experimental models. Parameters such as cell …

Modeling Sex-Specific Changes In Myocardial Fibrosis, Grace Martin

Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Heart disease the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States. Cardiac fibrosis, or accumulation of extracellular matrix proteins in the heart, can occur after a heart attack and increase the risk for further complications. Current treatments for heart disease do not include extracellular matrix regulators, partly due to the complicated signaling network responsible for the production of these proteins. By using a computational model of the signaling network in cardia fibroblasts, the relationship between particular molecules and downstream extracellular matrix production can be examined.

Biological sex is an important factor for cardiac health and …

Biomass Derived Lignin Polymer Modification For Sustainable Chemical Engineering Applications, Samantha Glidewell, Keisha Walters

Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Lignin is an abundant naturally occurring plant-based polymer that is branched, highly unsaturated, and rich in aliphatic and aromatic hydroxyl groups. Lignin is a significant byproduct of the wood pulp and paper industries; however, it has yet to be widely utilized in commercial applications due to its non-linear structure, broad range of molecular weights, hydrophobicity, high rigidity, and brittleness. Recent investigations into modifying lignin to broaden its potential uses have shown promising results. This thesis explores different modification techniques of the naturally occurring hardwood lignin polymer for specific applications in areas of water treatment and polyurethane (PU) production. The first …

Enhanced Phosphogypsum Thermal Reduction By Carbon In Presence Of Sodium Chloride At High Temperature, Li Chao, An Xuebin, Jing Hu, Yixiao Wang, Shizhao Wang, Yunshan Wang, Gang Yang, Yong Sun

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This paper reports an enhanced approach of thermal reduction of phosphogypsum (PG) in the presence of sodium chloride (NaCl) in its molten phase. The thermodynamic together with in-situ thermogravimetric-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (TG-FTIR) result indicates the yield of CaS (solid) at the investigated temperature range (800–850 °C). Addition of NaCl not only appreciably reduces the activation energy of this reaction (800–850 °C) on average from 315 to 175 (kJ·mol−1) materially, but also significantly improve the conversion from CaSO4 to CaS. Additionally, the NaCl based waste salt (NaCl-WS) containing organic compounds (0.21 wt%) was found to produce similar results when compared …

Coal Cleat Network Stimulation Through A Combination Of Acidizing And Liquid Nitrogen Fracturing, Mohsen Farrokhrouz, Hamed Akhondzadeh, Yongfei Yang, Faisal U. R. Awan, Stefan Iglauer, Maxim Lebedev, Alireza Keshavarz

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Gas extraction from Coal Bed Methane has proved challenging mainly due to the low permeability of coals. This study investigated a combination of 2 stimulation techniques, Liquid Nitrogen (LN2) fracturing and acidizing, to increase pore structure and cleat network connectivity in coals. Microcomputed Tomography ( -CT) scanning results suggested that a combination of those 2 applications, in either sequence of implementation, has substantial potential in recovering mineralized fractures and inducing new fractures; thus, leading to wide-open cleat networks. X-ray images show that if LN2 fracturing of coal is preceded by acidizing, the stimulation efficiency increases from more than double the …

Design And Develop Lignin Based Recyclable Copolymers For Hydrophobic Coatings, Di Xie

Doctoral Dissertations

Due to the abundance, renewability, biodegradability, overall hydrophobicity, good compatibility with cellulose, and anti-UV/oxidant abilities, lignin has great application potentials in hydrophobic coatings on cellulose-based substrates. However, lignin's structural heterogeneity and rigidity challenge its value-added utilization. Herein, Kraft lignin (KL), from paper mills, is fractionated into more homogeneous fractions (FL), nanosized into lignin micro-nanospheres (LMNS), chemically modified and copolymerized with other constituents to fabricate hydrophobic coating materials with improved coating performances.

To investigate structure-property relationships of lignin-based copolymers, solvent fractionation is conducted to obtain FLs with different molecular weight (MW) and hydroxyl (OH) contents to prepare copolymers by integrating with …

Computational Study Of Confined Cytoskeletal Assemblies: Simple Rules, Complex Behavior, Oghosa Honor Akenuwa

Doctoral Dissertations

The actin cytoskeleton is crucial for cellular processes and proper organization in cells. Physical regulators like actin crosslinking proteins, molecular motors, and physical confinement significantly impact the organization of the actin cytoskeleton. Despite advances, much remains unknown about how these physical regulators affect actin organization. In this thesis, we employ coarse-grained computer simulations to investigate the effect of physical regulators on the dynamics and organization of semiflexible actin filaments. First, we explore the role of crosslinker properties and confinement shape on actin organization by varying the system shape, the number and type of crosslinking proteins, and the length of filaments. …

Engineering Of Functional Hybrid Nanocomposites For Renewable Energy Applications Via Laser Ablation, Mahshid Mokhtarnejad

Doctoral Dissertations

Carbon-based hybrid nanocomposites (HNCs) have increasingly gained prominence in the materials science community due to their widespread applications in advanced energy storage and conversion devices. Yet, current, and conventional methods to synthesize tailored HNC structures involve complex and multi-step processes that often require harsh chemical reagents. To address the majority of these shortcomings, this thesis proposes Laser Ablation Synthesis in Solution (LASiS) as a rapid, inexpensive, and facile technique for synthesis of Metal-Organic Framework (MOF)–derived and Metal Oxide/reduced Graphene Oxide (rGO) HNCs in an environmentally friendly fashion. These engineered composite nanomaterials show superior properties as (1) non-precious medal based electrocatalysts …

Cooperative And Bifunctional Adsorbent-Catalyst Materials For In-Situ Vocs Capture-Conversion, Sukanta K. Mondal, Peter Aina, Ali A. Rownaghi, Fateme Rezaei

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) Are Gases that Are Emitted into the Air from Products or Processes and Are Major Components of Air Pollution that Significantly Deteriorate Air Quality and Seriously Affect Human Health. Different Types of Metals, Metal Oxides, Mixed-Metal Oxides, Polymers, Activated Carbons, Zeolites, Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) and Mixed-Matrixed Materials Have Been Developed and Used as Adsorbent or Catalyst for Diversified VOCs Detection, Removal, and Destruction. in This Comprehensive Review, We First Discuss the General Classification of VOCs Removal Materials and Processes and Outline the Historical Development of Bifunctional and Cooperative Adsorbent-Catalyst Materials for the Removal of VOCs from …

An Assessment Of Methane Cracking Technologies For Hydrogen Production And Reduction Of Greenhouse Gases, Alisa E. Pjetrovic

2024 Spring Honors Capstone Projects

Methane reformation and methane pyrolysis involve separating, or cracking, the components of methane, leading to the production of hydrogen gas, and in the case of pyrolysis, solid carbon. Because methane is known as a leading cause of climate change, these technologies are gaining attention as the global community moves to address methane as a greenhouse gas. This study aims to assess, through a systematic literature review, the current state-of-the-art methane cracking technologies based on seven technology criteria: hydrogen production capability, environmental impact, value of carbon produced, reaction stability, operating temperature requirements, energy requirements, and Technology Readiness Level (TRL). This study …

Improving Technology For Producing Complex Fertilizer From Low-Grade Phosphorites Of The Central Kyzylkum, A.Zh. Allamuratova, A.U. Erkaev, A.M. Reimov, Saparbay Kazakhbaev, Dilshodbek Kurbiyazov

Chemical Technology, Control and Management

The methods of nitric acid processing of phosphate raw materials are analyzed. A technology has been developed for the nitric acid processing of phosphate raw materials into nitrogen-phosphorus fertilizer with the implementation of the process in a condensed pulp by adding sulfuric acid. A technology for producing complex fertilizers with a wide range of N:P₂O₅:K₂O ratios with improved physico-chemical parameters due to the introduction of various potassium salts into the process is proposed.

Synthesis Of Local Control Systems For Underwater Units Cleaning Bottom Sediments In Reservoirs, Yuriy Gennadiyevich Shipulin, Zebiniso Akmalovna Zayniddinova

Chemical Technology, Control and Management

The article discusses the issues of synthesizing local control systems for underwater units for cleaning bottom sediments in reservoirs. It is shown that the protection and rational use of natural reservoirs and the fight against their premature siltation is becoming an urgent task.

It is proposed to use small-sized underwater units, consisting of information and measuring devices, to carry out search work for cleaning bottom sediments under water; control systems; actuators and means of communication with humans.

It is shown that the task of controlling the loading of an underwater unit (UU) requires maintaining optimal performance while simultaneously taking into …

Modernization Of Water Flow Measurement In Open Irrigation Systems Using The Slope-Area Method, R.M. Aliev, Djalilov Anvar

Chemical Technology, Control and Management

This article describes two methods for determining water flow in open irrigation systems: “speed - area” and “slope - area”. The authors considered the problem of its modernization using the existing method for determining water flow “slope - area” in open irrigation systems. The essence of the issue is the remote transfer of parameters necessary for calculating water flow in open irrigation systems and improving the means of their processing. In scientific studies conducted by the authors, the required hydraulic parameters were studied using the “slope - area” and “speed - area” water flow methods. Based on experimentally obtained data, …

Synthesis Algorithm Of Control System Based On Neural Network For The Gas And Oil Process, Jasur Sevinov, Abdishukurov Maqsudovich Shavkat, A.Z. Shodiyorov

Chemical Technology, Control and Management

Automatic control systems in the oil and gas processing are considered. After extraction of natural gas condensate, management of technological parameters plays an important role in its processing. Among the parameter of regulating algorithms, control based on neural network technology was considered. These control systems are created on the basis of algorithms of neural network technology. There are several structures of neural networks according to their structure. Differences in the process of information processing of these branching structures are considered.

Dynamic Characteristics Of Magnetoelectric Linear Actuators Of Control Systems, Мakhmudjon Muxamedovich Аbdullayev, Rasul Ernazar Ogli Abdiev

Chemical Technology, Control and Management

This paper presents the results of studies carried out on magnetoelectric drives that carry out linear movement, models of drives are built and, on their basis, studies of the main indicators associated with the movement of a linear armature are carried out, such as: speed of movement, acceleration, current values, voltage and traction force of the armature. Also presented are the results of a study of magnetoelectric linear motion drives based on an analysis of graphs of their dynamic characteristics.

Algorithms For Structural Synthesis Of Control Systems For Dynamic Objects Under Conditions Of Unmeasurable Disturbances, Husan Zakirovich Igamberdiev, Uktam Farkhodovich Mamirov, Bunyod Mamurjon Ugli Buronov

Chemical Technology, Control and Management

The paper talks about ways to use inverse dynamic models to structure a control system for moving objects when disturbances are not measured. To solve the main problems that arise when implementing the inverse dynamic model method, methods for synthesizing inverse systems with given dynamic characteristics are used. The solution to this problem is obtained based on the theory that dynamic observers are invariant to unmeasured input influences. We broke down the matrix operator on the right into elementary orthogonal rotation matrices and on the left into permutation matrices to get a stable answer to the equation of the current …

Artificial Neural Network Based Grain Moisture Measuring Device, Erkin Eljaev, Shohrux Nurali O‘G‘Li Narzullayev, Elyor Faxriddinovich Khudoyberdiev

Chemical Technology, Control and Management

To date, the intellectualization of solving technical issues in managing, controlling, and measuring technological processes in all branches of industrial production is considered an urgent task. In this regard, a class of intelligent devices and sensors has emerged. Intelligent devices and sensors differ from their analog counterparts in that they have functions such as automatic adjustment of the measurement range, self-calibration, data processing, and decision-making. The article discusses the development of intelligent measuring instruments based on a capacitive transducer for measuring the moisture content of grain and grain products.

Study Of Kinetics Of Hydrocarbon Gas Purification With Composite Absorbents, Oybek Aripdjanov, Shavkat Nurullaev, Shodiyakhon Azimova

CHEMISTRY AND CHEMICAL ENGINEERING

The aim of the work is to improve the process of natural gas purification from acidic components using a composite absorbent. To study the sorption of acidic components in the gas composition, a chromatographic analysis method was used. The kinetics and rate of corrosion of carbon steel grade st.10 when using composite absorbents MDEA +DEA + AVRP have been studied. The results of the study show that the volume of absorption increased from 0.55 mol/mol to 0.65 mol/mol, and the amount of H₂S in the purified gas decreased from 0.022 g/m³ to 0.014 g/m³. Corrosion …

Study Of Reactive Distillation Equipment For Eterification Process, Abbos Elmanov, Abdulaziz Bakhtiyorov, Adham Norkobilov, Olimjon Maksudov, Zarif Oripov

CHEMISTRY AND CHEMICAL ENGINEERING

The purpose of this work is to study the chemical technological processes for eterification processes, and the reactive distillation unit, which carries out the reaction and separation process in one device, was chosen as the object of research. А reаctive distillаtion system is exаmined to produce for the production of Ethyl Acetate (EtAc) viа eterificаtion of acetic acid (HAc) with ethаnol. Optimizаtion methods using sensitivity analysis аre аlso conducted. Cаlculаtion of vаpor liquid equilibrium of the mixture system is done using UNIFАC model. Heat integration from the distillate stream of the column to the acid feed stream and from bottom …

Modeling And Performance Analysis Of Solid Oxide Fuel Cell, Mariya Pecherskaya, Khakimjan Butanov, Suhrob A. Ibodullaev, Olim Ruzimuradov, Shavkat Mamatkulov

CHEMISTRY AND CHEMICAL ENGINEERING

A three-dimensional numerical model of the system configurations of various types of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) is used and the effect of parameters on SOFC performance is numerically investigated using COMSOL Multiphysics. The effect of parameters such as support layer thickness, operating temperature, and electrode porosity are shown in the polarization and power curves for each model. The results of the study showed the advantages of the anode-supported SOFC compared to cathode- and electrolyte-supported SOFC.

Theoretical calculations demonstrate the highest output power density in the anode-supported SOFC at 900 ℃, and reach a value of 0.585 W cm^{-2 …}

Alkynylation Of Benzaldehyde And Its R-Substituted Derivatives Based On Lithium Phenylacetylenide, Sanat B. Samatov, Odiljon E. Ziyadullayev, Abduvakhab Ikramov

CHEMISTRY AND CHEMICAL ENGINEERING

The purpose of this research work is for the first time the synthesis of the corresponding acetylene alcohols based on the alkynylation reaction of isolated benzaldehyde and its R-substituted derivatives in the BuLi/TGF system. The study proposed the reaction stages for the synthesis of acetylene alcohols in the selected BuLi/TGF system, the influence of factors influencing the process, including temperature, reaction duration and nature selected solvents. The structure of the synthesized acetylene alcohols was confirmed by modern methods of physicochemical analysis (¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR). In addition, the effect of substituents in benzaldehyde and its R-substituted derivatives …

A Tilted Broad Plume Underneath The Greenland Cratonic Keels, Dan Wang, Stephen S. Gao, Yangyang Liao, Kelly H. Liu

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

To advance our comprehension of the complex geological history and mantle dynamics in the north atlantic region, we employ all available broadband seismic data recorded in greenland to reveal an abnormal mantle transition zone (mtz) structure. Central and eastern greenland exhibits depressed 410 and 660 km discontinuities (d410 and d660, respectively) bordering the mtz, indicative of a substantial thermal anomaly associated with an underlying plume, surpassing the 1,800°c threshold for post-garnet phase transitions at the d660. Variations in mtz thickness across greenland stem from differing temperature anomalies at the d410 and d660, possibly linked to a tilted plume within the …

Electrochemical Advanced Treatment Of Desulfurization Wastewater From Coal-Fired Power Plants, Ju-Cai Wei, Juan Yi, Xu Wu

Journal of Electrochemistry

Zero-emission of desulfurization wastewater is one of the main demands for coal-fired power plants. As typical high salinity wastewater, it is hard to purify the desulfurization wastewater from coal-fired power plants through traditional physicochemical treatment or biochemical treatment, e.g., COD and Cl^–. A high concentration of Cl^– ion in desulfurization wastewater restricts wastewater reuse and zero-emission. Electrochemical technology is an attractive method for high salinity wastewater zero-emission, which provides a versatile, efficient, cost-effective, easily automatable, and clean industrial process. For advanced treatment of effluent after triple box process treatment in power plants, this paper reports an electrochemical …

Electrochemical Syntheses Of Aryl-Substituted Benzothiophenes And Phenanthrenes Using Benzenediazonium Salts As The Aryl Radical Precursors, Li-Yuan Lan, Yang-Ye Jiang, Raymond Daniel Little, Cheng-Chu Zeng

Journal of Electrochemistry

Aryl-substituted benzothiophene and phenanthrene are important structural units in medicinal chemistry and materials science. Although extensive effort has been devoted to prepare these compounds and a variety of approaches have been developed to construct the 2-substituted benzothiophene core structure, environmental-friendly and efficient synthetic means are still desired. Based on our previous electrochemical Minisci-type arylation reaction with aryl diazonium salt as the aryl precursor, as well as the work from König’s group, herein, we described the use of paired electrolysis to achieve 2-aryl benzothiophenes and 9-aryl phenanthrenes employing benzenediazonium salts as the aryl radical precursors. Initially, 2-methylthiobenzendiazonium salt 1a and 4-methylbenzene …

Electrocatalytic Cyclopropanation Of Active Methylene Compounds, Liang-Hua Jie, Hai-Chao Xu

Journal of Electrochemistry

The development of novel strategies to access cyclopropanes has become increasingly important due to the vital role of these three-membered ring structures in synthetic intermediates, natural products, and pharmaceuticals. Herein, we present an electrocatalytic method for the synthesis of cyclopropanes through intermolecular dehydrogenative annulation of active methylene compounds and arylalkenes. This electrochemical process requires no chemical oxidants, allowing for a speedy access to various functionalized cyclopropanes from inexpensive and readily available materials.

Poster Session: Onu Engineering Freshman And Senior Design Projects, Keith Schimmel

Scholar Week 2016 - present

This poster session is held Friday, April 19, 4:45-6:15pm, with food served, in the Reed Hall of Science Tech Center.

The capstone engineering senior design projects at Olivet Nazarene University involve interdisciplinary engineering teams completing real-life projects sponsored by companies, mission organizations, and professional society competitions. The engineering first-year design projects at Olivet Nazarene University involve interdisciplinary engineering teams proposing product improvement designs, using Computer Aided Design (CAD) software. Posters for both the senior and freshman engineering design projects will be presented during this poster session.

Scaling And Optimizing Agitated Tanks For The Homogenization Of Complex Biological Suspensions, Josh Dittmer, Cara Serpe, Sterling Staranchuk

Scholar Week 2016 - present

This study presents an investigation of the agitated tank mixing dynamics across various scales, including lab, two pilot, and full scales, focusing on human blood plasma Kistler-Nitschmann-Cohn (KNC) I+II+III suspensions. The methods employed are empirical tank mixing correlations within the KaeMix software package and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modeling using ANSYS Fluent. Tank and agitator geometries were generated in ANSYS Workbench and meshed in ANSYS Fluent with varied cell sizes to capture detailed dynamics near the agitators and in the bulk fluid. Kaemix analysis provided rapid computation of bulk mixing times at different scales. Beyond simulations, the project aims to …

Scale-Up And Measurement Enhancements Of A Biogenerator Bioreactor, Jason J. Glas

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Renewable energies in the form of wind and solar have seen steadfast growth across the world, however the abundance of these technologies that demonstrate short-term variability in power output threatens power grid stability and necessitates the use of fossil fuels for rapid throttling capability. A requirement for large scale energy storage systems becomes necessary and a system based on hydrogen generation, storage, and consumption for electrical grid supply-demand stabilization using a ferric sulfate oxidant is herein explored, named the BioGenerator. As the name implies, the system functions as an indirect microbial fuel cell using a biologically active broth dominated by …