Engineering Commons^™

Analysis Of An Outdoor Pilot-Scale Rotating Algae Biofilm Reactor For Power Optimization, Ash-Enhanced Productivity, And Nutrient Uptake, Peter F. Jeppesen

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Outdoor testing of a rotating algae biofilm reactor (RABR) was performed to see how well it could remove nutrients from water and produce algae. By adjusting the operation settings, we found the lowest power needed to remove nitrogen and phosphorus. The lowest power values needed were 1.36 kWh per kilogram of nitrogen and 20.1 kWh per kilogram of phosphorus. The algae production rate reached a maximum of 7.09 grams per square meter per day. Detailed analysis showed that the reactor worked like a continuous flow system, and the performance was influenced by factors including light and temperature. The results also …

Engineered Microalgae Cultivations Systems: Conversion Of Wastewater Nutrients Into Biofuels And Bioplastics, Jacob Watkins

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Dissolved Nitrogen and Phosphorus in wastewater can contribute to harmful algae blooms if released into the environment. One technology that can be used to recover dissolved nutrients from wastewater is the Rotating Algae Biofilm Reactor (RABR), which supports microalgae growth in an easily-harvested biofilm and produces nitrogenand phosphorus-rich biomass that can be used to produce slow-release fertilizers, biofuels, and compostable bioplastics. This thesis (1) examines the effects of several environmental factors on the biomass production rate and nutrient removal efficiency of RABRs treating municipal wastewater, (2) quantifies the composition and biofuel yields of microalgae biomass cultivated using a RABR at …

Finite-Time Control Strategies For Rendezvous And Proximity Operations, John Tamotsu Akagi

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

One common metric to use when designing a controller is the time that the system will take to reach the desired state. Unfortunately, many approaches to developing controllers only guarantee that the system will approach, but not exactly reach, the desired state. This can become a limitation in time-sensitive situations where rapid and complete convergence is necessary. One group of control methods, known as finite-time control, does guarantee both faster convergence and that the desired state will be reached, but often fails to define exactly what time that will occur, how much control will be used to get there, and …

Engineering Faculty Perceptions On Student-Use Of Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gai) In Course Completion, Michaela Harper

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Computer science and engineering faculty often argue whether students should be allowed to use GAI tools, such as ChatGPT, or banned from using them for fear of decreasing learning and workforce quality. This research gathers and reports engineering and computer science faculty members’ perceptions, opinions, and recommendations for GAI use in higher education. Faculty members agree that these technologies are here to stay and must be understood to address GAI in college and university courses. However, their willingness to implement GAI into their courses varied based on prior experience in industry and with the technology itself. Those with very limited …

Data-Driven Techno-Economic Analysis, Optimization, And Uncertainty Quantification Of Integrated Energy Systems In Deregulated Electricity Markets, Jacob A. Bryan

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Electricity is a ubiquitous energy source in daily life, powering everything from stovetops and cellphones to vehicles and industrial processes. While wind and solar power have become increasingly common sources of electricity, the majority of electricity is still produced by burning fossil fuels, releasing greenhouse gases and propelling climate change. Wind and solar power cannot economically replace these fossil fuel energy sources on their own because they do not produce consistent power; the wind must be blowing, and the sun must be shining for them to make electricity. Nuclear power is a reliable source of energy that does not generate …

Quantitative Evaluation Of Baseflow Separation Methods Using An Integrated Hydrologic Model: A Case Study In A Snow-Dominated Watershed, Jihad Othman

All Graduate Reports and Creative Projects, Fall 2023 to Present

Baseflow, commonly referred to as the groundwater contribution to streamflow, constitutes approximately 50% of streamflow in mountainous regions of the Western United States. Accurately quantifying the amount of baseflow is critical for water management and decision-making, as it significantly impacts stream water quality, low flow availability, and ecosystem health. Traditionally, baseflow has been estimated using conceptual and automated baseflow separation methods, which are known to be both arbitrary and ambiguous, posing a challenge to validate them. In this study, we developed an integrated hydrologic model that seamlessly integrated the exchange between surface and subsurface flows to physically quantify the baseflow …

Designing A Robust Lab Scale Electrocoagulation Reactor For Removal Of Micro- And Nanoplastics From Drinking Water, Emmanuel Louis Aduhene

All Graduate Reports and Creative Projects, Fall 2023 to Present

The widespread occurrence of micro and nanoplastics in drinking water sources could cause serious public health issues. These plastics particles, products of industrial operations and weathering of larger plastics, can interact with other contaminants in the environment, leading to more severe environmental pollution. Present drinking water treatment technologies were designed to remove suspended colloids. However, due to the distinct chemical and physical properties of micro and nanoplastics from conventional colloids, it is challenging for traditional chemical coagulation/flocculation/sedimentation process to achieve satisfying removal performance. This report investigates a design of a lab-scale electrocoagulation reactor for the removal of nanoplastics from drinking …

Emerging Technologies And Advanced Analyses For Non-Invasive Near-Surface Site Characterization, Aser Abbas

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

This dissertation introduces novel techniques for estimating the soil small-strain shear modulus (G_max) and damping ratio (D), crucial for modeling soil behavior in various geotechnical engineering problems. For G_max estimation, a machine learning approach is proposed, capable of generating two-dimensional (2D) images of the subsurface shear wave velocity, which is directly related to G_max. The dissertation also presents a method for estimating frequency dependent attenuation coefficients from ambient vibrations collected using 2D arrays of seismic sensors deployed across the ground surface. These attenuation coefficients can then be used in an inversion process …

Ensemble Machine Learning At The Edge Using The Codec Classifier Structure And Weak Learners Guided By Mutual Information, Aj Beckwith

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

The Codec Classifier is a low-computation, low-memory tree ensemble method that dramatically improves feasibility of image classification on resource-constrained edge devices. It achieves advantages over other tree ensemble methods due the separation of encoder and decoder tasks in the classifier. The encoder partitions feature space, and the decoder labels the regions in the partition. This functional separation of tasks enables the encoder design (partitioning) to be guided by maximizing the mutual information (MI) between class labels and the features (i.e. the encoded representation of the data) without regard to the error performance of the classifier. Experiments show maximizing MI leads …

Utilizing Bayesian Optimization In Technoeconomic Analyses For Integrated Energy Systems, Anthoney Griffith

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Technoeconomic analysis is a key element in the study of integrated energy systems. The goal of this analysis is the sizing of technologies resulting in the best economic outcome for the system. The evaluation of this system involves sizing the components and simulating the resulting market to determine an outcome. This simulation incorporates multiple possible values of uncertain parameters like grid price and wind generation. This problem is currently approached with the gradient descent optimization method. An alternative approach, Bayesian optimization, sees success on simple problems of a similar nature to technoeconomic analyses. These results motivate applying Bayesian optimization as …

Improving The Long-Term Maintenance And Durability Of Pervious Concrete Pavements, Kate Elizabeth Christiansen

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Impervious concrete is constructed for most new infrastructure such as housing developments, commercial projects, and industrial facilities, which prevents stormwater runoff from infiltrating into groundwater storage. Pervious concrete is a sustainable, economical, and safe alternative to collect runoff and prevent the issues resulting from increased land development.

Although pervious concrete has the benefit of a large porous structure for water infiltration, this high porosity leads to issues with debris, sand, and other materials clogging the porous areas. Pervious concrete also has the challenge of non-standardized material preparation techniques, testing, and construction practices. As such, more research is needed to improve …

Anomaly Detection On Wind Turbine Blades Using Aerial Imaging, Image Processing, And Deep Learning, Bridger Kohl Altice

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

In reaction to rising global temperatures and carbon dioxide emissions, many countries are looking to use energy sources other than fossil fuels. One such source of energy is wind energy, which can be harvested by wind turbines. By rotating at high speeds, the blades of these large turbines are able to convert wind energy to kinetic energy, which is then converted to electricity usable by the power grid. Traditional methods for inspecting these turbines for damages are expensive, unsafe, and susceptible to human error. These turbines are so tall and so large that inspectors run the risk of falling from …

Computational Fluid Dynamics Modeling Of Air Demand For Fixed Cone Valve In Energy Dissipating Structure, Matthew S. Harames

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Fixed cone valves are commonly installed as low-level outlet devices to discharge water from reservoirs. When discharging water, the fixed cone valves require an air vent to properly operate and maintain the valve. There is a current lack of published information regarding the accuracy of model studies to properly estimate the air demand on the full-size prototype. This research aims to help close that gap by providing data comparison between a model and prototype. Furthermore, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations may be used to estimate the air demand, but the results of such have not been verified nor is information …

Cislunar Optimal Robust Trajectory Design With Corrective Maneuvers, Scott J. Kelly

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

One common method for determining how to get from point A to point B is by finding the most fuel-efficient path. This is a common method for spacecraft trajectory designers also. Without any random or unexpected occurrences this path is called the deterministic optimal trajectory. Sometimes unexpected events happen that result in deviating from the most fuel-efficient path; while driving, you may encounter a detour. Naturally, we tend to return to the original fuel-efficient path and continue the journey. Similar deviations happen in space. The rocket delivering a spacecraft to orbit likely will not deliver exactly to the intended starting …

Dynamic Modeling Of A Nuclear Integrated Energy System With Thermal Energy Storage And Hydrogen Production, Seth J. Dana

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Historically, nuclear reactors have used water for cooling and moderating the nuclear reaction within the core. Advanced generation IV nuclear reactors currently under development are designed with different coolants which enable operation at higher temperatures. A higher operating temperature makes nuclear power suitable for co-located hydrogen production via high temperature electrolysis. Natrium, an advanced reactor design by TerraPower and GE Hitachi, combines a sodium fast reactor with molten salt thermal energy storage. The work presented in this thesis models and analyzes three Natrium systems which integrate hydrogen production with the Natrium nuclear power plant. The first two configurations focus on …

Trade-Offs In Lighting For Dic Strain Measurements In Vibration-Based Fatigue Testing, Jacob R. Rigby

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Vibration based fatigue testing offers a fast and efficient method for determining the breaking point of a material. This method often uses a device, called a strain gage, to measure the deformation of a test sample at a single spot on the test sample. However, these strain gages often break before testing is complete. To overcome this premature break, a laser vibrometer is often used to measure the amount of movement or the speed of the test sample throughout the vibration test. The deformation measured by the strain gage is compared against the amount of movement or velocity of the …

Sustainable Waste-To-Bioproducts Engineering Center Laboratory Safety Project, Claudine Mock

All Graduate Reports and Creative Projects, Fall 2023 to Present

Laboratory accidents are common in teaching and research labs; these accidents can be injurious or even fatal. The consequences of each type of laboratory accident are different based on the activities performed and the hazardous materials used in each facility. However, the most common issue related to laboratory accidents is the lack of proper safety measures (e.g., poor handling of hazardous materials, not reporting incidents immediately, etc.). This project aimed to establish and strengthen best practices and procedures to ensure laboratory safety at the Utah State University Sustainable Waste-to-Bioproducts Engineering Center. To achieve this goal, different practices and measures were …

A Position Allocation Approach To The Battery Electric Bus Charging Problem, Alexander Brown

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

With an increasing adoption of Battery Electric Bus (BEB) fleets, developing a reliable charging schedule is vital to a successful migration from their fossil fuel counterparts. In this work, a BEB charging scheduling framework that considers fixed route schedules, multiple charger types, and battery dynamics is modeled as a Mixed Integer Linear Program (MILP). The MILP is modeled after the Berth Allocation Problem (BAP) in a modified form known as the Position Allocation Problem (PAP). The optimization coordinates BEB charging to ensure that each vehicle remains above a specified charge percentage. The model also minimizes the total number of chargers …

Federated Learning In Wireless Networks, Xiang Ma

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transitioning from a long development period into reality. Notable instances like AlphaGo, Tesla’s self-driving cars, and the recent innovation of ChatGPT stand as widely recognized exemplars of AI applications. These examples collectively enhance the quality of human life. An increasing number of AI applications are expected to integrate seamlessly into our daily lives, further enriching our experiences.

Although AI has demonstrated remarkable performance, it is accompanied by numerous challenges. At the forefront of AI’s advancement lies machine learning (ML), a cutting-edge technique that acquires knowledge by emulating the human brain’s cognitive processes. Like humans, ML requires …

Dynamic Site Characterization For Los Alamos National Laboratory: Topographic Amplification Array Studies And Deep Shear Wave Velocity Profiling Using Masw And Mam Surface Wave Methods, Kyle S. Cannon

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

An assessment of seismic hazard must be performed for any critical structures designed or built in seismically active regions, where critical structures are defined by ASCE as those that, if damaged excessively, could pose a threat to national security, the economy, or public health, safety, and welfare. This is done, in part, through a probabilistic seismic hazard analysis (PSHA) and incorporated site response analysis (SRA). One of the many pieces of information needed to perform a PSHA and an incorporated SRA is the shear wave velocity structure of the site. Additionally, if there are significant topographic features at the site …

Assessment Of Future Streamflow In The Colorado River Basin With Some Implications For Water Management, Homa Salehabadi

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Long-range water supply planning in many river basins, such as the Colorado, requires assessing plausible future streamflow scenarios. Given nature's randomness and climate change, it is important to evaluate water resources system behavior under a wide range of plausible conditions. The research described in this dissertation examined various future streamflow scenarios in the Colorado River Basin to provide essential inputs needed for planning in the uncertain future. First, the research examined historical severe droughts in the basin and created three sets, or ensembles, of plausible future streamflow time series by resampling these past droughts. These ensembles are thus consistent with …

Rapid Prediction Of Buoyancy-Driven Exchange Flows At The Great Salt Lake: Ml Models And A 1d Shallow Water Approach, Eric M. Larsen

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

The Great Salt Lake in Utah, USA, is a hypersaline terminal lake divided in to northern and southern arms by the Union Pacific Railroad causeway since the 1950's. This separation has caused a difference in density and water surface elevation between lake arms. These differences result in a buoyancy-driven exchange flow occurring through an engineered breach in the causeway. Traditionally, modeling the flow through the breach has been done by numerically solving the 1D steady shallow water equations, and using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). The CFD models yield high accuracy results, but require substantial computing resources. This research proposes the …

Method Development For The Extraction And Analysis Of Per- And Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (Pfas) In Wastewater And Biosolids, Victoria Krull

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Per and poly-fluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) are manufactured chemicals that have water and grease repellant properties and do not readily biodegrade. PFAS are present in many consumer products and end up in waste systems and the environment. Studies have shown that PFAS can have adverse health effects on humans and animals.

There are many challenges to processing and analyzing samples containing PFAS including: adsorption of PFAS to equipment, contamination from equipment containing PFAS, and the high sensitivity needed to analyze for PFAS in the parts per trillion detection range. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been developing methods …

Development Of A High-Throughput Methodology For Vibration-Based Fatigue Tests, Brandon Alexander Furman

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Global efforts towards the development of additively manufactured materials, biomaterials, metamaterials, self-healing materials, and composites have reached a staggering pace. With new materials being developed on a near-daily basis, it is more important than ever to be able to quickly and precisely quantify their mechanical performance. However, one of the most important mechanical properties, fatigue life, is notoriously time consuming to measure. Consequently, fatigue parameters are often calculated based on small sample sizes, resulting in high uncertainty of the measured parameters. In this dissertation a high-throughput approach to fatigue measurements is developed. This technique allows for multiple samples to accumulate …

Gps-Denied Navigation Using Location Estimation And Texel Image Correction, Nikolas I. Jensen

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

In recent years, the use of small drones, also categorized as small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (sUAV), has surged. They are used for tasks like surveying land, collecting data from a distance, and performing maneuvers for military operations. These drones are popular because they are affordable, small, easy to use, and can navigate well in complex areas. These factors make them a cheap and quick option for tasks like surveying and surveillance when compared to traditional methods.

This thesis introduces a system that uses algorithms to figure out where the drone is. Typically, this relies on sensors and GPS, but GPS …

Understanding Ion Rejection Mechanism Of Freeze Desalination By Molecular Dynamics Simulation, Mahbuba Jannat

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

This study explores a method called freeze desalination, which uses the natural process of ice formation to remove salt from water at lower than freezing temperature of water, which is 235K (Freezing temperature of this water model is 249K), making it safe for potable water. Unlike traditional methods, freeze desalination can be more efficient and environmentally friendly, but how it rejects salt at the molecular level is not very clear to understand. Using molecular dynamics simulation, this research aims to uncover the details of this process. We focused on understanding how water molecules interact with salt ions during freezing. Our …

Thermal Management Of Roadway-Embedded Power Electronics For Electric Vehicle Dynamic Wireless Charging Systems, Conner R. Sabin

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Electric vehicles (EVs) are gaining popularity worldwide. However, concerns raised by the public about purchasing EVs include the limited availability of charging infrastructure, high costs, and the inconvenience of current charging methods. Dynamic wireless charging systems enable electric vehicles to charge while driving, thereby extending the range of EVs and reducing the necessity for large, expensive batteries. Moreover, these systems can initiate charging automatically without user interaction, enhancing charging convenience.

The ground assembly of existing dynamic wireless charging systems consists of an electromagnetic assembly, power electronics for the transmitter pad, and power electronics for grid connection. Installation of these systems …

Quantifying Plot-Scale Evapotranspiration In Northeast Utah, W. Sheridan Stewart

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Evapotranspiration, the combined movement of water from the earth's surface and plants to the atmosphere, is a component of the energy balance of the land surface atmosphere continuum. Often, irrigation is used to replace water removed from the soil through evapotranspiration. Water management for irrigation is often done at the plot or field scale. Due to the smaller footprint size and the large upfront costs, evaluating evapotranspiration at such a small scale can be difficult to justify. The aim of the study was to quantify evapotranspiration at the plot scale. An energy balance model that evaluates energy from two sources, …

Defining Engineering Leadership And Engineering Leadership Skills From The Perspectives Of Abet Leaders And Professional Engineers, Yemisi Victoria Oyewola

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Leadership within the engineering domain has gained significant recognition in recent years due to calls from the literature, industry, and engineering professional bodies to incorporate leadership training into the engineering curriculum. In response to these calls and despite various approaches that have been implemented by engineering institutions to teach engineering leadership, research indicates that there remains a lack of consensus on the definition of engineering leadership and the specific skills that should be emphasized in the teaching of engineering leadership. Also, there is evidence in the literature that there exists a debate regarding the nature of engineering leadership, with some …

Trip Production Models For Persons With Disabilities, Pouyan Saeidian

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Nearly 13% of the US population consists of people with disabilities, yet finding an equitable and comprehensive approach to meet their travel needs remains a challenge. Our research delves into the mobility patterns of people with disabilities to understand how their daily travel—both the frequency of trips and the distance covered—compares to those without disabilities. We also explore the factors influencing their travel behaviors and how these insights can guide policymakers in improving accessibility and mobility for this community. Utilizing data from the 2022 US National Household Travel Survey, we applied a blend of statistical analysis and machine learning methods. …