Engineering Commons^™

A Microfluidic Device To Establish Concentration Gradients Using Reagent Density Differences, Qingjun Kong, Richard A. Able, Jr., Veronica Dudu, Maribel Vazquez

Publications and Research

Microfabrication has become widely utilized to generate controlled microenvironments that establish chemical concentration gradients for a variety of engineering and life science applications. To establish microfluidic flow, the majority of existing devices rely upon additional facilities, equipment, and excessive reagent supplies, which together limit device portability as well as constrain device usage to individuals trained in technological disciplines. The current work presents our laboratory-developed bridged microLane system, which is a stand-alone device that runs via conventional pipette loading and can operate for several days without need of external machinery or additional reagent volumes. The bridged microLane is a two-layer polydimethylsiloxane …

Identification Of An Archaeal Presenilin-Like Intramembrane Protease, Celia Torres-Arancivia, Carolyn M. Ross, Jose Chavez, Zahra Assur, Georgia Dolios, Filippo Mancia, Iban Ubarretxena-Belandia

Publications and Research

Background: The GXGD-type diaspartyl intramembrane protease, presenilin, constitutes the catalytic core of the c-secretase multi-protein complex responsible for activating critical signaling cascades during development and for the production of b-amyloid peptides (Ab) implicated in Alzheimer’s disease. The only other known GXGD-type diaspartyl intramembrane proteases are the eukaryotic signal peptide peptidases (SPPs). The presence of presenilin-like enzymes outside eukaryots has not been demonstrated. Here we report the existence of presenilin-like GXGD-type diaspartyl intramembrane proteases in archaea.

Methodology and Principal Findings: We have employed in vitro activity assays to show that MCMJR1, a polytopic membrane protein from the archaeon Methanoculleus marisnigri JR1, …

Modeling Initial Response: Firefighter High-Rise Access Time Simulation, Robert Till

Publications and Research

Historically, a high-rise building has been described as one which (1) was taller than the reach of fire
service apparatus and, therefore, required interior firefighting, (2) posed the potential for significant
stack effect (vertical interior smoke movement), and (3) required unreasonable time for occupant
evacuation. High-rise buildings require firefighters to access the building and travel to an upper fire
floor by using either stairs or elevators. The fire continues to grow during the time needed to apply
water on the fire. This paper demonstrates ways for using Discrete Event Simulation (DES) to estimate
the time for firefighters to access a …

Metallic Nanoparticle On Micro Ring Resonator For Bio Optical Detection And Sensing, Ali Haddadpour, Yasha Yi

Publications and Research

We have numerically investigated the unique effects of metallic nanoparticle on the ring resonator, especially multiple Au nanoparticles on the micro ring resonator with the 4-port configuration on chip. For the Au nanoparticle, because it has smaller real refractive index than air and large absorption refractive index, we found that there is a blue shift for the ring resonance wavelength, instead of red shift normally observed for dielectric nanoparticles. The drop port intensity is strongly dependent on both number and size of nanoparticles, while relatively independent on position of nanoparticles. The correlation between the penetration depth of Au and the …

Design Collaboration As A Tool For Developing Diversity In The Work Place, Rees E. E. Shad

Publications and Research

Without a doubt the modern workplace is one made up of numerous working professionals graced with an array of varied abilities who work in tandem to meet a common goal. In this article the author recounts his personal journey to embracing the collaborative process and how he has honed and developed the skill set into an important element of design curriculum in order to prepare students for this fundamental market paradigm.

Sensitivity Analysis Of B-Factor In Microwave Emission Model For Soil Moisture Retrieval: A Case Study For Smap Mission, Dugwon Seo, Tarendra Lakhankar, Reza Khanbilvardi

Publications and Research

Sensitivity analysis is critically needed to better understand the microwave emission model for soil moisture retrieval using passive microwave remote sensing data. The vegetation b-factor along with vegetation water content and surface characteristics has significant impact in model prediction. This study evaluates the sensitivity of the b-factor, which is function of vegetation type. The analysis is carried out using Passive and Active L and S-band airborne sensor (PALS) and measured field soil moisture from Southern Great Plains experiment (SGP99). The results show that the relative sensitivity of the b-factor is 86% in wet soil condition and 88% in high vegetated …

Use Of A Segmented Electrode To Control Current Distribution In Electrochemical Systems, Barry Van Tassell

Dissertations and Theses

"The goal of this project was to investigate the use of segmented electrodes to control the current distribution through an electrochemical cell. To achieve this goal, the project was separated into two parts, designing a scalable piece of hardware that could create a current distribution, and then using that hardware to create noticeable changes in a system by changing the current distribution within the system. Prior to building the current distribution device, a basic 3-electrode galvanostat was built in order to test its fundamental design characteristics. The design stressed a simplistic hardware, relying on software to control the current. A …

Application Planning, Jochen Albrecht, Clare Davies

Publications and Research

No abstract provided.

Analysis Of Large Scale Spatial Variability Of Soil Moisture Using A Geostatistical Method, Tarendra Lakhankar, Andrew S. Jones, Cynthia L. Combs, Manajit Sengupta, Thomas H. Vonder Haar, Reza Khanbilvardi

Publications and Research

Spatial and temporal soil moisture dynamics are critically needed to improve the parameterization for hydrological and meteorological modeling processes. This study evaluates the statistical spatial structure of large-scale observed and simulated estimates of soil moisture under pre- and post-precipitation event conditions. This large scale variability is a crucial in calibration and validation of large-scale satellite based data assimilation systems. Spatial analysis using geostatistical approaches was used to validate modeled soil moisture by the Agriculture Meteorological (AGRMET) model using in situ measurements of soil moisture from a state-wide environmental monitoring network (Oklahoma Mesonet). The results show that AGRMET data produces larger …

Design And Performance Analysis Of Genetic Algorithms For Topology Control Problems, Cem Safak Sahin

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

In this dissertation, we present a bio-inspired decentralized topology control mechanism, called force-based genetic algorithm (FGA), where a genetic algorithm (GA) is run by each autonomous mobile node to achieve a uniform spread of mobile nodes and to provide a fully connected network over an unknown area. We present a formal analysis of FGA in terms of convergence speed, uniformity at area coverage, and Lyapunov stability theorem.

This dissertation emphasizes the use of mobile nodes to achieve a uniform distribution over an unknown terrain without a priori information and a central control unit. In contrast, each mobile node running our …