Engineering Commons^™

Reinventing The Wheel, Esther K. Unti, Ahmed Z. Shorab, Patrick B. Kragen, Adam M. Menashe

Mechanical Engineering

Reinventing the Wheel selected tires and designed wheels for the 2018 Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo Formula SAE combustion vehicle. Available tire options were evaluated for steady-state and transient performance as well as vehicle integration. A single-piece composite wheel with hollow spokes was designed to meet stiffness, strength, and tolerance requirements. A detailed study of wheel loading and geometric structural efficiency was performed. Finite element analysis was used to iterate the geometry and laminate. A two-piece male mold was designed and machined to manufacture the wheel. Removable silicone inserts were used to create the hollow spokes.

Development And Characterization Of Nano Nickel-Based Conductive Inks For Flexographic Printing Of Electronics And New Interpretations Of Surface Energies Of Solids, Bilge N. Altay

Bilge Nazli Altay

Impact Of Substrate And Process On The Electrical Performance Of Screen-Printed Nickel Electrodes: Fundamental Mechanism Of Ink Film Roughness, Bilge N. Altay, Jerome Jourdan, Vikram S. Turkani, Hervé Dietsch, Dinesh Maddipatla, Alexandra Pekarovicova, Paul D. Fleming, Massood Atashbar

Bilge Nazli Altay

Effective Magnetic And Electric Response Of Composite Materials, Mona Hassan Alsaleh

Doctoral Dissertations

Metamaterials (MMs) are nanocomposite materials consisting of metal-dielectric resonators much smaller in size than the wavelength of the incident light. Common examples of metamaterials are based on split ring resonators (SRRs), parallel wires or strips and fishnet structures. These types of materials are designed and fabricated in order to provide unique optical responses to the incident electromagnetic radiation that are not available in naturally existing materials. The MMs can exhibit unusual properties such as strong magnetism at terahertz (THz) and optical frequencies. Additionally, negative index materials (NIMs) can provide negative index of refraction which can be used in many applications …

Metal Segregation During The Solidification Of Titanium-Aluminum Alloys For 3d Printing Applications, Jwala Parajuli

Master's Theses

Titanium-Aluminum alloys are one of the widely used alloys in multiple engineering applications. They are highly preferred in Selective Laser Melting (SLM) processes due to their low density, high melting temperature, and good strength. Segregation occurs during the solidification of most alloys and produces a non-uniform distribution of atoms. In SLM, segregation may depict the type of adhesion between the two deposited interfacial layers and the strength between the interphase between an already solidified layer and a new one, and overall, the quality of the printed part. In order to avoid segregation, the understanding of the segregation behavior at atomistic …

Mechanical Characterization Of Expanded Polystyrene Spheres Embed Sandwich Composites For Packaging Applications, Maheswaran R, Arockia Reemas S

Journal of Applied Packaging Research

This paper addresses on study of development of new packaging material comprising Expanded Polystyrene Spheres (EPS) embedded epoxy polymer based sandwich composites with aluminium skin. The density of the packing material is controlled by varying the volume of embedded spheres. In this study, the Flexural and Compression performance of Expanded Polystyrene Spheres (EPS) embedded polymer based sandwich composites with aluminium skin are investigated. The EPS volume percent in the core is 25% with epoxy matrix which makes the the density less than 1 g/cm3 for the composite. The fabricated Sandwich Composite are very light weight, the density is less than …

Creating A Computational Tool To Simulate Vibration Control For Piezoelectric Devices, Ahmet Ozkan Ozer, Emma J. Moore

Posters-at-the-Capitol

Piezoelectric materials have the unique ability to convert electrical energy to mechanical vibrations and vice versa. This project takes a stab to develop a reliable computational tool to simulate the vibration control of a novel “partial differential equation” model for a piezoelectric device, which is designed by integrating electric conducting piezoelectric layers constraining a viscoelastic layer to provide an active and lightweight intelligent structure. Controlling unwanted vibrations on piezoelectric devices (or harvesting energy from ambient vibrations) through piezoelectric layers has been the major focus in cutting-edge engineering applications such as ultrasonic welders and inchworms. The corresponding mathematical models for piezoelectric …

System And Methods For Ventilation Through A Body Cavity, Mark A. Borden, Benjamin S. Terry

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Faculty Publications

A system and methods for the delivery of oxygen through a body cavity of a subject using oxygen microbubbles . Through circulation of oxygen microbubbles through the body cavity , oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange may occur . Overall improvement in extending survival rate time during emergency situations caused by pulmonary or similar oxygen - intake restricting injury and / or failure may be achieved through use of the invented system and methods .

Global Packaging Trends, Bekir Keskin, Bilge N. Altay, Merve Akyol, Guven Meral, Olgun Uyar, Paul D. Fleming

Bilge Nazli Altay

Recent Advances In Continuous Models Of Electrochemical Supercapacitors, Hao-Tian Lu, Jing-Hong Zhou, Guang-Hua Ye, Xing-Gui Zhou

Journal of Electrochemistry

Electrochemical capacitors (supercapacitors) have been developed as a new type of energy storage device with high energy and power densities, which have the advantages of both fast charging-discharging as traditional capacitors and high energy density as batteries. Notable improvements in their electrochemical performance have been achieved in recent years owing to the recent advances in understanding of charge storage mechanisms and the development of advanced nanostructured materials. Recently, modeling and simulation of these supercapacitors has been applied as a useful approach to better understand the working mechanisms of the supercapacitors by describing the concentrations and electric fields inside the capacitors. …

The New Application Of Battery-Electrode Reaction: Decoupled Hydrogen Production In Water Electrolysis, Yuan-Yuan Ma, Zhao-Wei Guo, Yong-Gang Wang, Yong-Yao Xia

Journal of Electrochemistry

Hydrogen has been considered as a promising alternative to unsustainable fossil fuels because of its high calorific value, clean and abundant resources. Water electrolysis combined with renewable energy is regarded as the best way for hydrogen production, which will become the foundation of future hydrogen economy. For the past few years, many efforts have been employed to develop the cheap and high-performance catalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction and oxygen evolution reaction. However,the coupled hydrogen and oxygen evolution and the use of the expensive membrane have greatly restricted the flexibility of the conventional water electrolysis, and hindered the utilization of renewable …

Recent Progress In Organic Redox Flow Batteries, Li-Xing Xia, Hao Liu, Lin Liu, Zhan-Ao Tan

Journal of Electrochemistry

Redox flow batteries (RFBs) are promising candidate for balancing instability of grids caused by integration of intermittent renewable energies such as solar energy and wind energy. Along with wide deployments in solar energy and wind energy due to abundance and declining installation cost, it can be predicted that RFBs will enter a period of rapid development. Basically,RFBs are electrochemical energy storage devices that decouple energy and power of the system by storing liquid electrolyte in tanks outside battery system itself. Such a unique framework makes RFBs flexible and fulfills the various demands of grids. During battery operation, redox-active species are …

Design Strategies Toward Highly Active Electrocatalysts For Oxygen Evolution Reaction, Tang Tang, Wen-Jie Jiang, Shuai Niu, Jin-Song Hu

Journal of Electrochemistry

Electrocatalytic water splitting is pivotal for efficient and economical production of hydrogen and oxygen gasses. However, the efficiency of the whole device is largely limited by the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) at the anode due to its sluggish kinetics. Thus, it is imperative to develop inexpensive, highly active OER catalysts to lower the reaction barriers. By examining the underlying critical factors for OER performance, this review outlines general principles for designing efficient nanosized OER catalysts, including (1) enhancing the intrinsic activity of active site by electronic modulation, crystallinity modulation, phase control, defect engineering and spin state engineering; (2) designing appropriate …

Recent Advances In Non-Noble Metal Nanomaterials For Oxygen Evolution Electrocatalysis, Dan-Dan Zhao, Nan Zhang, Ling-Zheng Bu, Qi Shao, Xiao-Qing Huang

Journal of Electrochemistry

Hydrogen is a kind of renewable energies with the merits of environmentally friendly, abundance and high weight energy density, which can replace the fossil energy. The electrolysis of water is regarded as the most effective way to generate hydrogen. Owing to the sluggish kinetics and large overpotential of the anode oxygen evolution reaction (OER), the efficiency of the cathode hydrogen evolution reaction is greatly limited. Therefore, it is highly desirable to explore efficient, stable and low cost electrocatalysts to reduce the overpotential of OER and improve the efficiency of hydrogen evolution. Based on the natural characteristics of non-noble metal catalysts …

Research Progresses In Improvement For Low Temperature Performance Of Lithium-Ion Batteries, Yue-Ru Gu, Wei-Min Zhao, Chang-Hu Su, Chuan-Jun Luo, Zhong-Ru Zhang, Xu-Jin Xue, Yong Yang

Journal of Electrochemistry

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have become a new research hotspot due to their high energy density and long service life. However, the temperature characteristics, especially the poor performance at low temperatures, have seriously limited their wider applications. In this report, the research progresses in the low temperature performance of LIBs are reviewed. The main existing limitations of LIBs at low temperatures were systematically analyzed, and followed by discussion on the recent improvements in low temperature performances by developing novel cathode, electrolyte, and anode materials. The developments for improving the low temperature performance of LIBs are prospected. The three most important factors …

Recent Process In Transition-Metal-Oxide Based Catalysts For Oxygen Reduction Reaction, Yao Wang, Zi-Dong Wei

Journal of Electrochemistry

Transition metal oxides (TMOs) based catalysts have become the most promising catalysts to be employed in anion exchange membrane fuel cell for the sluggish oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). However, their ORR activity is still far from that of the Pt-based catalysts. Therefore, it is important to develop high performance TMO based catalysts. Electrical conductivity and intrinsic activity have been regarded as the two keys to affect the ORR activity of the TMOs based catalysts. In this review, we focused on the recent progresses in the fundamental viewpoints on the electrical conductivity and intrinsic activity of the TMOs based ORR catalysts. …

Effects Of Sulfur-Containing Additive On Low Temperature Performance Of Graphite Anode, Ze-Li Wu, Ye-Zhen Zheng, Zhong-Ru Zhang, Yong Yang

Journal of Electrochemistry

The low temperature performance of lithium ion battery mainly depends on the graphite anode, and one of the research focuses is to improve the low temperature performance of the anode by additives. In this paper, the effects of different sulfur-containing functional groups such as DTD (ethylene sulfate), 1,3-PS (1,3-propane sultone) and ES (ethylene sulfite) on low temperature performances of artificial graphite materials were systematically studied. The results in density functional theory (DFT) calculations, cyclic voltammetry (CV), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and charge-discharge measurement clearly demonstrated that all three sulfur-containing additives could participate in formation of films on the surface of …

Electrodeposition Of Cobalt From Eutectic-Based Ionic Liquid, Rostom Ali M., Sankar Saha S, Ziaur Rahman Md

Journal of Electrochemistry

The electrodeposition of cobalt from a solution containing cobalt chloride in either a urea-choline chloride based or an ethylene glycol (EG)-choline chloride based ionic liquid has been carried out onto copper and steel cathodes by constant current and constant potential methods at different temperatures. The influences of various experimental conditions on electrodeposition and morphology of the deposited layers have been investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD)technique. It has been shown that the smooth, shiny with good adherence and bright metallic coloured cobalt coatings were obtained from both urea and EG based ionic liquids at the applied …

Synthesis Of Keggin Polyoxometalates Modified Carbon Paste Electrode As A Sensor For Dopamine Detection, Peng-Fei Dong, Na Li, Hai-Yan Zhao, Min Cui, Cong Zhang, Ju-Jie Ren, Xue-Ping Ji

Journal of Electrochemistry

Polyoxometalates, a class of anionic clusters with structure diversity and size variability, make them very attractive in many fields such as electrochemistry, catalysis and medicine. The Co(C₁₅N₆H₁₂)₂[PW₁₂O₃₈]·5H₂O（Co[PW₁₂O₃₈]） modified carbon paste electrode was prepared in this work, and its electrochemical performances as the sensor for dopamine detection were characterized with electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry. The preparation conditions and test conditions were optimized respectively. Under the optimized conditions, the POMs modified carbon paste electrode exhibited good selectivity and sensitivity …

Multidimensional Optimal Droop Control For Dc Microgrids In Military Applications, Kaitlyn J. Bunker, Michael D. Cook, Wayne Weaver, Gordon Parker

Michigan Tech Publications

Reliability is a key consideration when microgrid technology is implemented in military applications. Droop control provides a simple option without requiring communication between microgrid components, increasing the control system reliability. However, traditional droop control does not allow the microgrid to utilize much of the power available from a solar resource. This paper applies an optimal multidimensional droop control strategy for a solar resource connected in a microgrid at a military patrol base. Simulation and hardware-in-the-loop experiments of a sample microgrid show that much more power from the solar resource can be utilized, while maintaining the system’s bus voltage around a …

Photocatalytic Activity: Experimental Features To Report In Heterogeneous Photocatalysis, Md. Ariful Hoque, Marcelo I. Guzman

Chemistry Faculty Publications

Heterogeneous photocatalysis is a prominent area of research with major applications in solar energy conversion, air pollution mitigation, and removal of contaminants from water. A large number of scientific papers related to the photocatalysis field and its environmental applications are published in different journals specializing in materials and nanomaterials. However, many problems exist in the conception of papers by authors unfamiliar with standard characterization methods of photocatalysts as well as with the procedures needed to determine photocatalytic activities based on the determination of “apparent quantum efficiencies” within a wavelength interval or “apparent quantum yields” in the case of using monochromatic …

Hemodynamics And Pathology Of An Enlarging Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Model In Rabbits, Hongmei Chen, Yonghua Bi, Siyeong Yu, Linxia Gu, Xiaoyan Zhu, Xinwei Han

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Faculty Publications

Hemodynamics may play an essential role in the initiation and progression of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). We aimed to study the mechanism of self-healing process by the changes of hemodynamics and pathology in an enlarging AAA in rabbits. Seventy-two rabbits were randomly divided into three groups. Rabbits underwent extrinsic coarctation and received a 10-minute elastase incubation in Group A and Group B. Absorbable suture used in Group A was terminated by balloon dilation at week 4. Diameter was measured after 1, 3, 5, and 15 weeks, computational fluid dynamics analysis was performed at week 3 and week 15. Rabbits were …

Techniques To Stimulate And Interrogate Cell–Cell Adhesion Mechanics, Ruiguo Yang, Joshua A. Broussard, Kathleen J. Green, Horacio D. Espinosa

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Faculty Publications

Cell–cell adhesions maintain the mechanical integrity of multicellular tissues and have recently been found to act as mechanotransducers, translating mechanical cues into biochemical signals. Mechanotransduction studies have primarily focused on focal adhesions, sites of cell-substrate attachment. These studies leverage technical advances in devices and systems interfacing with living cells through cell–extracellular matrix adhesions. As reports of aberrant signal transduction originating from mutations in cell–cell adhesion molecules are being increasingly associated with disease states, growing attention is being paid to this intercellular signaling hub. Along with this renewed focus, new requirements arise for the interrogation and stimulation of cell–cell adhesive junctions. …

The Subject Librarian Newsletter, Engineering And Computer Science, Fall 2017, Buenaventura "Ven" Basco

Buenaventura "Ven" Basco

No abstract provided.

Method To Provide Meta-Stable Operation Of Dc Microgrid Comprising A Pulsed Load, David G. Wilson, Wayne Weaver, Rush D. Robinett Iii, Ronald Matthews, Steven F. Glover

Michigan Tech Patents

A Hamiltonian surface shaping power flow control (HSSPFC) method is used to analyze the meta-stability and adjust pulsed power loads on a DC electric power distribution network. Pulsed power loads are nonlinear, time-variant systems that cause nonlinear limit-cycles. During the on periods of a pulsed load, the system can be in an unstable state and is damped back to stability during the off state of the load. Therefore, over the entire period of the pulse the system may only be assessed as meta-stable. As shown through simulation, HIL and hardware results, the HSSPFC method is more accurate than the other …

Modeling Sulfate Attack In Modern Concrete For Building Sustainable And Resilient Infrastructure, Zachary Grasley

Publications

External sulfate attack is a complex phenomenon and is manifested in the form of large expansion, cracking, and spalling depending on the exposure solution and material constituent properties. Several models were developed in the past to demonstrate sulfate attack mechanisms that account for the diffusion of sulfate ions into the porous concrete and the successive deformation triggered by the chemical reaction and precipitation of expansive agents. However, none of these models accounts for the effect of the migration of solvent water from the low solute concentration solution to high solute concentration solution driven by the osmotic pressure. Osmotic pressure is …

A Study Of The Diffusion Characteristics Of Tungsten Bar Stock And Tungsten Produced Via Direct Metal Laser Sintering (Dmls), Jonathan Robert Bruss

Master's Theses (2009 -)

Using a vacuum hot extraction method diffusivity and concentration of hydrogen were measured in samples of tungsten bar stock and direct metal laser sintered (DMLS) tungsten. It was found that the tungsten bar stock closely adhered to the model established by Frauenfelder. The DMLS samples approximately follow a downward sloping trend over the 500K-1200K temperature range. The trend is opposite of what is expected suggesting processing has a major effect on diffusion behavior. A CFD model was created using ANSYS Fluent to simulate the diffusion behavior. The model functions by separating out diffusion mechanisms and solving Fick’s law with each …

Current-Driven Production Of Vortex-Antivortex Pairs In Planar Josephson Junction Arrays And Phase Cracks In Long-Range Order, Francisco Estellés-Duart, Miguel Ortuño, Andrés M. Somoza, Valerii M. Vinokur, Alex Gurevich

Physics Faculty Publications

Proliferation of topological defects like vortices and dislocations plays a key role in the physics of systems with long-range order, particularly, superconductivity and superfluidity in thin films, plasticity of solids, and melting of atomic monolayers. Topological defects are characterized by their topological charge reflecting fundamental symmetries and conservation laws of the system. Conservation of topological charge manifests itself in extreme stability of static topological defects because destruction of a single defect requires overcoming a huge energy barrier proportional to the system size. However, the stability of driven topological defects remains largely unexplored. Here we address this issue and investigate numerically …

Experimental Tests And Numerical Simulations For Failure Investigation On Corrugated Boxes Used On Household Appliance Packaging, Diego Fernandes Rodrigues, José Carlos Pereira

Journal of Applied Packaging Research

Packages made of corrugated paper are fundamental to the protection, transportation and handling of the appliance product market. During the storage and sales stages of a product, the package must resist compressive loads in different directions beyond moderate impacts. In this context, the objective of this work is to develop and implement a post-processor that allows the simultaneous analysis of two of the most common failure modes of packages made of corrugated paper: failure due to tensile or compressive stress limit, and failure due to local buckling, when the buckling of the faces of the corrugated paper between two peaks …

Post-Wrapping Behavior Of High-Performance Stretch Film, Jake Wyns, John Cook, Kyle Dunno

Journal of Applied Packaging Research

Compressive force is the energy a stretch film exerts onto the corners of a unit load of product, this paper analyzes the effects of compressive force overtime after application to a unit load. Previous research has shown how storage conditions, pallet configurations, and storage duration affect the performance of various packaging materials, however, there is a lack of this type of study relating to stretch film and load unitization. This paper looks at trends in compressive force depending on whether a film is applied with negative or positive secondary stretch. When a load is stretch wrapped with negative secondary stretch, …