Engineering Commons^™

Investigation Of The Mechanisms For Stable Superlubricity Of Poly(Vinylphosphonic Acid) (Pvpa) Coatings Affected By Lubricant, Caixia Zhang, Zhifeng Liu, Yuhong Liu, Qiang Cheng, Congbin Yang, Ligang Cai

Friction

The stability of the tribological properties of polymer coatings is vital to ensure their long term use. The superlubricity of the poly(vinylphosphonic acid) (PVPA)-modified Ti6Al4V/polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) interface can be obtained when lubricated by phosphate-buffered saline (PBS, pH = 7.2), but not when lubricated by deionized water and ethanol. Therefore, the mechanisms for the superlubricity of PVPA coatings affected by lubricant were investigated in detail. The stability of the PVPA coatings and their compatibility with the lubricant are critical factors in realizing ideal tribological properties of PVPA coatings. Robust PVPA coatings are stable under a wide range of ...

Origami-Based Design Of Fold States And Stability, Alex Avila

Theses and Dissertations

Origami is a potentially elegant and powerful source of inspiration for many engineering designs. The viable shapes (fold states) of a single device allow it to perform multiple, seemingly contradictory, functions. The fold state is a large factor in the device's performance, but there are challenges in selecting and maintaining those fold states. In this thesis we analyze existing concepts for overcoming these challenges. Those concepts are compared with those that occur in origami-based devices. From this analysis fundamental gaps were identified, specifically, shortcoming in the terminology used to refer to (1) non-flat origami states and (2) sets of ...

Strong Stability Of A Class Of Difference Equations Of Continuous Time And Structured Singular Value Problem, Qian Ma, Keqin Gu, Narges Choubedar

SIUE Faculty Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity

This article studies the strong stability of scalar difference equations of continuous time in which the delays are sums of a number of independent parameters tau_i, i = 1, 2, . . . ,K. The characteristic quasipolynomial of such an equation is a multilinear function of exp(-tau_i s). It is known that the characteristic quasipolynomial of any difference equation set in the form of one-delayper- scalar-channel (ODPSC) model is also in such a multilinear form. However, it is shown in this article that some multilinear forms of quasipolynomials are not characteristic quasipolynomials of any ODPSC difference equation set. The equivalence between local strong ...

Strong Stability Of A Class Of Difference Equations Of Continuous Time And Structured Singular Value Problem, Qian Ma, Keqin Gu, Narges Choubedar

SIUE Faculty Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity

This article studies the strong stability of scalar difference equations of continuous time in which the delays are sums of a number of independent parameters τi, i = 1, 2, . . . , K. The characteristic quasipolynomial of such an equation is a multilinear function of e−τis. It is known that the characteristic quasipolynomial of any difference equation set in the form of one-delay-per-scalar-channel (ODPSC) model is also in such a multilinear form. However, it is shown in this article that some multilinear forms of quasipolynomials are not characteristic quasipolynomials of any ODPSC difference equation set. The equivalence between local strong stability, the ...

Effect Of Moment Gradient And Load Height With Respect To Centroid On The Reliability Of Wide Flange Steel Beams Subject To Elastic Lateral Torsional Buckling, Christopher D. Eamon, Alexander W. Lamb, Kapil Patki

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research Publications

The reliability of doubly-symmetric wide flange steel beams designed to the AISC Specification for Structural Steel Buildings subjected to elastic lateral torsional buckling was evaluated when considering variation in moment gradient and load height. The analysis considers continuous loads on spans subjected to various end moments with supports that are torsionally fixed and laterally supported, without additional intermediate restraints. Dead load, occupancy live load, and beam resistance random variables were considered. Beam lateral torsional buckling resistance was evaluated from numerical solution of a fundamental differential equation that accounts for the effect of moment gradient and load height. In some cases ...

Novel Nanomaterials For Lithium Ion Batteries And Oxygen Reduction Reactions, Jianyang Li

Theses and Dissertations

Undoubtedly, one of the most pressing issues that world is dealing with today is global warming. It requires long-term potential actions for sustainable development to achieve solutions to address this kind of environmental problems that we are facing today. In this regard, renewable energy resources appear to be the one of the most efficient and effective solutions to reduce reliance on fossil fuels that cause release of excess amounts of carbon dioxide, the main contributor to global warming. As an alternative, electrochemical energy production has long been explored due to its intrinsic nature of more sustainable and more environmentally friendly ...

Wrinkling Of Functionally Graded Sandwich Structures Subject To Biaxial And In-Plane Shear Loads, Harold Costa

Masters Theses

"Benefits of a functionally graded core increasing wrinkling stability of sandwich panels have been demonstrated in a recent paper [1] where a several-fold increase in the wrinkling stress was observed, without a significant weight penalty, using a stiffer core adjacent to the facings. In the present paper wrinkling is analyzed in case where the facings are subject to biaxial compression and/or in-plane shear loading and the core is arbitrary graded through-the-thickness. Two issues addressed are the effect of biaxial or in-plane shear loads on wrinkling stability of panels with both graded and ungraded core and the verification that functional ...

Intelligent Control Of A Class Of Nonlinear Systems, Phuong D. Ngo

Open Access Dissertations

The objective of this study is to improve and propose new fuzzy control algorithms for a class of nonlinear systems. In order to achieve the objectives, novel stability theorems as well as modeling techniques are also investigated. Fuzzy controllers in this work are designed based on the fuzzy basis function neural networks and the type-2 Takagi-Sugeno fuzzy models.

For a class of single-input single-output nonlinear systems, a new stability condition is derived to facilitate the design process of proportional-integral Mamdani fuzzy controllers. The stability conditions require a new technique to calculate the dynamic gains of nonlinear systems represented by fuzzy ...

Modified Trajectory Shaping Guidance For Autonomous Path Following Control Of Platooning Ground Vehicles, Ishmaal T. Erekson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This thesis proposes a modification of trajectory shaping guidance to provide more accurate path convergence in curved paths. The object of this thesis is to apply this simple guidance law to platooning control to ensure all vehicles in the platoon converge to a desired constant radius path at a desired vehicle separation distance. To show the viability of this new guidance law, it is shown mathematically to be exponentially stable. It is also confirmed through simulations and on ground robots.

Low Temperature Solution-Processed Sb:Sno2 Nanocrystals For Efficient Planar Perovskite Solar Cells, Yang Bai, Yanjun Fang, Yehao Deng, Qi Wang, Jingjing Zhao, Xiaopeng Zheng, Yang Zhang, Jinsong Huang

Mechanical & Materials Engineering Faculty Publications

Inorganic metal oxide electron-transport layers (ETLs) have the potential to yield perovskite solar cells with improved stability, but generally need high temperature to form conductive and defect-less forms, which is not compatible with the fabrication of flexible and tandem solar cells. Here, we demonstrate a facile strategy for developing efficient inorganic ETLs by doping SnO₂ nanocrystals (NCs) with a small amount of Sb using a low-temperature solution-processed method. The electrical conductivity was remarkably enhanced by Sb-doping, which increased the carrier concentration in Sb:SnO₂ NCs. Moreover, the upward shift of the Fermi level owing to doping results in ...

Co-Design Of Dynamic Real-Time Scheduling And Cooperative Control For Human-Agent Collaboration Systems Based On Mutual Trust, Xiaotian Wang

All Theses

Mutual trust is a key factor in human-human collaboration. Inspired by this social interaction, we analyze human-agent mutual trust in the collaboration of one human and (semi)autonomous multi-agent systems. In the thesis, we derive time-series human-agent mutual trust models based on results from human factors engineering. To avoid both over- trust and under-trust, we set up dynamic timing models for the multi-agent scheduling problem and develop necessary and sufficient conditions to test the schedulability of the human multi-agent collaborative task. Furthermore, we extend the collaboration between one human and multiple agents into the collaboration between multi-human network and swarm-based ...

The Use Of Initial Imperfection Approach In Design Process And Buckling Failure Evaluation Of Axially Compressed Composite Cylindrical Shells

Faculty of Engineering University of Malaya

Thin-walled cylindrical shells are susceptible to buckling failures caused by the axial compressive loading. During the design process or the buckling failure evaluation of axially-compressed cylindrical shells, initial geometric and loading imperfections are of important parameters for the analyses. Therefore, the engineers/designers are expected to well understand the physical behaviours of shell buckling to prevent unexpected serious failure in structures. In particular, it is widely reported that no efficient guidelines for modelling imperfections in composite structures are available. Knowledge obtained from the relevant works is open for updates and highly sought. In this work, we study the influence of ...

Design Considerations Towards The Construction Of Hybrid Floating Brush Seal (Hfbs), S. Lattime, Minel Braun, Fred Choy

Fred K. Choy

The hybrid floating brush seal (HFBS) represents an advance in brush seal technology by combining brush seal and film riding face seal technologies to create a hybrid seal that allows both axial and radial excursions of the sealed shaft without damage to seal integrity. At the same time, it eliminates interface surface speeds between the rotor and the brush bristles. This accomplishment is possible because the brush seal, which forms the primary seal, rotates with the shaft, while floating against a hydrodynamic face seal surface, which makes up the secondary seal. The present paper presents continuation work (Int J of ...

La0.7Sr0.3Fe0.7Ga0.3O3-Δ As Electrode Material For A Symmetrical Solid Oxide Fuel Cell, Zhibin Yang, Yu Chen, Chao Jin, Guoliang Xiao, Minfang Han, Fanglin Chen

Fanglin Chen

In this research, La_0.7Sr_0.3Fe_0.7Ga_0.3O_3−δ (LSFG) perovskite oxide was successfully prepared using a microwave-assisted combustion method, and employed as both anode and cathode in symmetrical solid oxide fuel cells. A maximum power density of 489 mW cm⁻² was achieved at 800 °C with wet H₂ as the fuel and ambient air as the oxidant in a single cell with the configuration LSFG|La_0.8Sr_0.2Ga_0.83Mg_0.17O_3−δ|LSFG. Furthermore, the cells demonstrated good stability in ...

Characterization Of Sr‐Doped Lamno3 And Lacoo3 As Cathode Materials For A Doped Lagao3 Ceramic Fuel Cell, Kevin Huang, Man Feng, John B. Goodenough, Michael Schmerling

Kevin Huang

Energy dispersive spectrometry line scan and ac impedance spectroscopy were used in this study to investigate the chemical reactions between two cathode materials, La_0.84Sr_0.16MnO₃ (LSM), La_0.5Sr_0.5CoO_3-δ (LSC), and the electrolyte La_0.9Sr_0.1Ga_0.8Mg_0.2O_2.85 (LSGM). Significant interdiffusions of Co into LSGM and Ga into LSC were found at an LSC/LSGM interface even at relatively low fabrication temperatures. In contrast, only small interdiffusions of Mn into LSGM and Ga into LSM were detected at the ...

A Reversible And Stable Flake-Like Licoo2 Cathode For Lithium Ion Batteries, Tao Wei, Rui Zeng, Yongming Sun, Yunhui Huang, Kevin Huang

Kevin Huang

A dense and thick flake-like cathode structure was demonstrated to have a preferential crystallographic orientation for Li+ migration and a better tolerance to cracking, both of which enable a reversible and stable capacity at moderate rates from 0.1 to 2 C.

Flux Of Silver-Carbonate Membranes For Post-Combustion Co2 Capture: The Effects Of Membrane Thickness, Gas Concentration And Time, Lingling Zhang, Yunhui Gong, Kyle Brinkman, Tao Wei, Siwei Wang, Kevin Huang

Kevin Huang

No abstract provided.

Surface Modified Silver-Carbonate Mixed Conducting Membranes For High Flux Co2 Separation With Enhanced Stability, Lingling Zhang, Yunhui Gong, Jacob Yaggie, Siwei Wang, Kevin Romito, Kevin Huang

Kevin Huang

No abstract provided.

Impact Of In Situ Physical And Chemical Cleaning On Pvdf Membrane Properties And Performances

Faculty of Engineering University of Malaya

Appropriate selection of cleaning agent is an important factor to achieve a better cleaning efficiency and this topic has become an ongoing discussion. This work assesses the impacts of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) aqueous solution towards polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) stability at the typical concentrations used in membrane cleaning. The cleaned membranes were characterised using held emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), pure water flux measurement, contact angle, protein retention and tensile testing. Membrane cleaned at elevated temperature and higher concentration presented a higher water flux than the virgin membrane which can be a worrying ...

Impact Of In Situ Physical And Chemical Cleaning On Pvdf Membrane Properties And Performances

Faculty of Engineering University of Malaya

Appropriate selection of cleaning agent is an important factor to achieve a better cleaning efficiency and this topic has become an ongoing discussion. This work assesses the impacts of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) aqueous solution towards polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) stability at the typical concentrations used in membrane cleaning. The cleaned membranes were characterised using held emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), pure water flux measurement, contact angle, protein retention and tensile testing. Membrane cleaned at elevated temperature and higher concentration presented a higher water flux than the virgin membrane which can be a worrying ...

Electrochemical Capture Of Co2 From Natural Gas Using A High-Temperature Ceramic-Carbonate Membrane, Jingjing Tong, Lingling Zhan, Jie Fang, Minfang Han, Kevin Huang

Faculty Publications

This study reports the first investigation of using a ceramic-carbonate dual-phase membrane to electrochemically separate CO₂ from a simulated natural gas. The CO₂ permeation flux density was systematically studied as a function of temperature, CO₂ partial pressure and time. As expected, the flux density was observed to increase with temperature and CO₂ partial pressure. Long-term stability test showed that flux density experienced an initial performance-improving “break-in” period followed by a slow decay. Post-test microstructural analysis suggested that a gradual loss of carbonate during the test could be the cause of the flux-time behavior observed.

Zirconia-Based Electrolyte Stability In Direct-Carbon Fuel Cells With Molten Sb Anodes, Xiaoliang Zhou, Tae-Sik Oh, John M. Vohs, Raymond J. Gorte

Departmental Papers (CBE)

Direct carbon fuel cells (DCFC) that use zirconia-based electrolytes and molten Sb anodes have much promise for the efficient conversion of carbonaceous solid fuels into electricity. However, etching of the electrolyte, and ultimately cell failure, has been observed during operation. In this study, we have investigated this etching phenomenon as a function of the electrolyte composition and cell operating conditions and demonstrated that it is not electrochemical in nature, but rather results from reaction between the electrolyte and Sb₂O₃.

A Multi-Directional Treadmill Training Program For Improving Gait, Balance, And Mobility In Individuals With Parkinson’S Disease: A Case Series, Kimberly Smith, Kurt Jackson, Kimberly Edginton Bigelow, Lloyd L. Laubach

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Publications

Treadmill training is a commonly used intervention for improving gait in people with Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, little is known about how treadmill training may also influence balance and other aspects of mobility.

The purpose of this case series was to explore the feasibility and possible benefits of multi-directional treadmill training for individuals with PD. Four participants (62.3 ± 6.5 yrs, Hoehn & Yahr 2-4) performed 8 weeks of treadmill training 3 times per week. Weeks 1-4 included forward walking only, while weeks 5-8 included forward and multi-directional walking. Participants were tested every 4 weeks on 4 separate occasions ...

La0.7Sr0.3Fe0.7Ga0.3O3-Δ As Electrode Material For A Symmetrical Solid Oxide Fuel Cell, Zhibin Yang, Yu Chen, Chao Jin, Guoliang Xiao, Minfang Han, Fanglin Chen

Faculty Publications

In this research, La_0.7Sr_0.3Fe_0.7Ga_0.3O_3−δ (LSFG) perovskite oxide was successfully prepared using a microwave-assisted combustion method, and employed as both anode and cathode in symmetrical solid oxide fuel cells. A maximum power density of 489 mW cm⁻² was achieved at 800 °C with wet H₂ as the fuel and ambient air as the oxidant in a single cell with the configuration LSFG|La_0.8Sr_0.2Ga_0.83Mg_0.17O_3−δ|LSFG. Furthermore, the cells demonstrated good stability in ...

A Reversible And Stable Flake-Like Licoo2 Cathode For Lithium Ion Batteries, Tao Wei, Rui Zeng, Yongming Sun, Yunhui Huang, Kevin Huang

Faculty Publications

A dense and thick flake-like cathode structure was demonstrated to have a preferential crystallographic orientation for Li+ migration and a better tolerance to cracking, both of which enable a reversible and stable capacity at moderate rates from 0.1 to 2 C.

Stability Analysis Of The Rotary Drill-String, Liangming Pan

Doctoral Dissertations

Oil and natural gas are major energy sources for modern society. A rotary drilling system is the best known technology to extract them from underground. The vibration and stability of drilling systems have been studied for decades to improve drilling efficiency and protect expensive down-hole components. It is well known that severe drill-string vibrations are caused by many different loads: axial loads such as the hook load and the self-weight of the drill-string, end torques applied by the surface motor and restrained at the bit, the inertial load caused by whirling, the fluid drag force, and the contact force between ...

Effects Of Hip And Ankle Moments On Running Stability: Simulation Of A Simplified Model, Rubin C. Cholera

Open Access Theses

In human running, the ankle, knee, and hip moments are known to play different roles to influence the dynamics of locomotion. A recent study of hip moments and several hip-based legged robots have revealed that hip actuation can significantly improve the stability of locomotion, whether controlled or uncontrolled. Ankle moments are expected to also significantly affect running stability, but in a different way than hip moments. Here we seek to advance the current theory of dynamic running and associated legged robots by determining how simple open-loop ankle moments could affect running stability. We simulate a dynamical model, and compare it ...

Nonlinear Development And Secondary Instability Of Traveling Crossflow Vortices, Fei Li, Meelan M. Choudhari, Lian Duan, Chau-Lyan Chang

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Building upon the prior research targeting the laminar breakdown mechanisms associated with stationary crossflow instability over a swept-wing configuration, this paper investigates the secondary instability of traveling crossflow modes as an alternate scenario for transition. For the parameter range investigated herein, this alternate scenario is shown to be viable unless the initial amplitudes of the traveling crossflow instability are lower than those of the stationary modes by considerably more than one order of magnitude. The linear growth predictions based on the secondary instability theory are found to agree well with both parabolized stability equations and direct numerical simulation, and the ...

The Stability And Control Of The Single Track Vehicles, Shyngys Karimov, Martin Corless

The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Symposium

Bicycles, motorcycles and scooters are all examples of the single track vehicles. The dynamics of the single track vehicle involve many degrees of freedom and various modes which govern its performance, making a complicated and interesting research topic. Motorcycle in motion can roll, yaw, and steer about the steering axis. It has three main modes which determine the motion and stability of it, they are weave, capsize, and wobble. The motorcycle performance is limited by the behavior of its modes, and if even one of the modes becomes unstable, the vehicle will roll over, and crash. The goal of this ...

Stability Characteristics Of Herringbone Grooved Journal Bearings Incorporating Cavitation Effects, T.V.V.L. Rao, Jerzy Sawicki

Jerzy T. Sawicki

Stabilitycharacteristics of the herringbone grooved journal bearings (HGJBs) are analyzedtaking into account cavitation of the fluid flow. The perturbedvalues of pressure and film thickness from a given equilibriumposition are substituted into the Elrod's universal equation, which considersmass conservation in the complete bearing geometry. In order toanalyze the herringbone groove configuration, the governing equations under steadyand perturbed states are transformed to a rectangular domain usingthe grid transformation techniques. It is assumed that under perturbedconditions, the cavitation extent in the bearing remains unchanged andthe pressure gradients are computed in the full film region.The linearized stiffness and damping coefficients are evaluated ...