Engineering Commons^™

Utendo Sleeve- A Tendon To Muscle Fixation Device, Sarah Miller

Chancellor’s Honors Program Projects

No abstract provided.

Radiological Assay Of Burrowing Animals, James F. Pierce Mr, Jolyne Worthy Ms, Kip Wheeler Mrs, Evan Godbehere Mr

Chancellor’s Honors Program Projects

No abstract provided.

Power System Electromagnetic Transient Simulation Using A Semi-Analytical Approach, Min Xiong

Doctoral Dissertations

This dissertation investigates efficient power system electromagnetic transient (EMT) simulations using a semi-analytical approach.

First, based on state-space equations of system EMT models, a semi-analytical solution (SAS) is acquired using the Differential Transformation Method (DTM). The DTM can efficiently derive the SAS of any linear or nonlinear system as a power series in time in a recursive manner using well-developed transformation rules. A high-order SAS allows a large time step to speed up the simulation while maintaining the same level of accuracy. Also, a variable time step approach is proposed to further improve its efficiency. Case studies on multiple systems …

A Review And Analysis Of Nuclear Hydrogen Production In Generation Iv Reactors, Arijit Saha Ayon, Ashiqur Rahman Alif, A. S. M. Nasim

International Journal of Nuclear Security

Hydrogen is becoming increasingly vital as a chemical element in the progress of human civilization. Hydrogen finds application in the creation of ammonia, the manufacturing of nitrogen-based fertilizers, and a wide range of organic compounds, including methanol and propulsion fuel for space exploration missions. Additionally, there are ongoing experiments in the automotive industry to harness hydrogen-based fuel cells as an alternative power source. In modern technology, multiple methods and strategies for hydrogen production originate from diverse sources, such as fossil fuels, renewable energy, nuclear energy, and more. Generation IV nuclear reactors significantly affect the production of hydrogen. These reactors operate …

Modeling And Analysis Of Neutron Flux Of A Vver 1200 Reactor Core Using Monte Carlo Code Openmc, K. M. Rakib Al Hasan, Dr. Debashis Datta, Altab Hossain

International Journal of Nuclear Security

Nuclear reactors and their associated facilities are complex systems that require accurate modeling and analysis to ensure safety, security, and efficient operation. This study aims to model and analyze the neutron flux of a generic VVER 1200 reactor core using the Monte Carlo code OpenMC. For the purpose of this analysis, a generic model of the VVER 1200 reactor core was developed using an OpenMC simulation environment. Furthermore, using this model, the neutron flux spectrum inside the reactor core was evaluated, from which neutron fluence was calculated accordingly. This study analyzed the effect of neutron flux on the developed model …

Safety And Security Analysis Of Vver-1200 Reactor Pressure Vessel Under Pressurized Thermal Shock, Mohammed Sarim Salman Karim, Dr. Debashis Datta, Altab Hossain

International Journal of Nuclear Security

The reactor pressure vessel (RPV) is an important component of a nuclear power plant and of great concern to safety and security globally. Thus, the thermal system of an RPV should be ensured properly through an evaluation system that closely monitors and considers its integrity. This article describes the thermomechanical analyses for a pressurized thermal shock (PTS) scenario of a VVER-1200 RPV owing to a loss of coolant accident (LOCA) and activation of the emergency core cooling system (ECCS). The LOCA transient and activation of ECCS are modeled using ANSYS simulation software. From the analyses of the emergency core cooling …

Design And Development Of A Radiation Survey And Rescue Robot With Shielding Of Electronic Equipment From Radiation Damage With Image Radiation Mapping Facility, Md. Sifatul Muktadir, Md. Nazmul Hassan, Md. Saimon Siddique, Dewan Nazmun Nur, Altab Hossain, Ahnaf Tahmid Chowdhury

International Journal of Nuclear Security

The use of remote-controlled robots in emergency fields is a necessary requirement at present, which includes the nuclear engineering field because the radioactive environment creates adverse effects on human health. This work describes the development of a remotely controlled rover capable of detecting ionizing radiation, isolating radiation sources using a robotic arm, and sufficient shielding for its internal components. A custom-made Geiger–Muller counter has been used to detect ionizing radiation. The radioactive environment is not only harmful for humans but also can cause severe damage to the electronic circuit mounted on the robot. Therefore, a custom concrete material sandwiched between …

Safety Analysis In Ap-1000 Nuclear Power Plant Against Primary Loop Coolant Pump And Fuel Failures, Fabiano Gibson Daud Thulu, Hailemichael Guadie Mengsitu, Chifundo Tenthani, Paul Stone Macheso

International Journal of Nuclear Security

This study focused on the best-estimated thermal-hydraulic calculations performed regarding the AP-1000 nuclear power plant (NPP) under primary coolant loop pump and fuel failures. Primary coolant pump and fuel failure transients are important design-basis accidents in NPP safety assessments. This work examined the primary reactor’s safety margins of fuel and cladding peak temperature, primary and secondary loop pressure, hydrogen formation, and primary and secondary flow rates. The Adaptive System Thermal-Hydraulics program was used in the simulation and event progression analysis. The results showed that the peak fuel surface temperature was kept below the licensing design limit. No observation of corium …

Threat Modeling Based On A Design Basis Threat For Nuclear Security, Abu Zafor Mohammad Salahuddin, Altab Hossain, Mohammad Shawkat Akbar

International Journal of Nuclear Security

Identification of the design basis threat (DBT) of a nuclear facility is an important factor of overall safety, for which the operator is mainly responsible per the guidelines of the International Atomic Energy Agency. As threat levels increase especially threats beyond the DBT-the responsibility of the state also increases. In recent years, only a few studies on nuclear security and DBTs have comprehensively detailed the full spectrum of nuclear facilities in a nation. Thus, this paper presents the correlation between an actual threat and the DBT. The objectives of the study are to assist in establishing physical protection system (PPS) …

Multilayer Shielding Design And Analysis Of Optimal Thickness For The Storage Of Highly Radioactive Sources Concerning Environmental Safety, Md. Mahfuzul Haque Rafi, Asma Ul Husna, Abdus Sattar Mollah

International Journal of Nuclear Security

As a kind of radiological protection, multilayer shielding is superior to a single-layer shield in terms of blocking off radiation. This study examined a multilayer shielding strategy to protect employees from potentially harmful gamma radiation from highly radioactive sources such as ⁶⁰Co. This paper presents a novel strategy for cost-effective and environmentally safe radiation protection by aligning expensive and heavy materials such as W and Pb to improve their effectiveness and limit exposure below the occupational dose. The largely unpublished set of final exposure rates for the W–Pb–Fe combination was calculated by the numerical interpolation method in MATLAB software. …

Automated Intake Valve Control Systems For Rural Community Water System, Isabelle Hamby, Jackson Reeves, Ashlyn Celichowski, Elizabeth Morgan

Chancellor’s Honors Program Projects

No abstract provided.

Insen 2023 Yearly Updates, Walid Metwally, Matteo Gerlini, Cristen Ford, João Claudio Batista Fiel J.C.B.F., Dr. Alpana Goel

International Journal of Nuclear Security

The International Nuclear Security Education Network (INSEN) is the primary international network for nuclear security educational initiatives. INSEN plays a central role in fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing among nuclear security education experts worldwide. In the wake of the global pandemic, INSEN remained committed to strengthening nuclear security education and resumed in-person activities. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed its continued dedication and support to the network’s mission and presented new activities aimed at elevating global nuclear security efforts.

Throughout the year and during the annual and leadership meetings, working groups showcased their vibrant work and presented innovative ideas, invigorating …

A Case Study Assessing The Integration Of Nuclear Safety And Security In Facilities Using A Monte Carlo Simulation Aided Analytical Hierarchy Process, Theodore A. Thomas, Shraddha Rane, Jason Timothy Harris

International Journal of Nuclear Security

Nuclear safety and security are essential in all operations using nuclear and radioactive materials. Even though both elements are important, the evolution of these programs has not developed at the same rate. As such, their integration has been met with challenges. This study analyzed the potential for synergy across different criteria and settings when integrating nuclear safety and security. The criteria included eight points where overlap could be identified between nuclear safety and security. Three work settings—industrial, medical, and research—were evaluated. Responses were collected from nine individuals who worked with nuclear materials in various capacities and different nuclear work settings. …

Dynamics Modeling Of Molten Salt Reactors, Visura Umesh Pathirana

Doctoral Dissertations

The abundance of energy is a necessity for the prosperity of humans. The rise in energy demand has created energy shortages and issues related to energy security. Nuclear energy can produce vast amounts of reliable energy without many of the negative externalities associated with other competing energy sources, such as coal and natural gas. As a result, public interest in nuclear power has increased in the past decade. Many new types of nuclear reactor are proposed. These nuclear reactor designs feature many passive technologies that can operate without external influence. Reactors that feature advanced passive safety features are catagorized as …

Assessing The Effectiveness Of Nuclear Security Training And Education In Ghana, Michael Nii Sanka Ansah, Boris Stepanov Pavlovich, Paul Atta Amoah, David Okoh Kpeglo, Simon Adu, Bright Kwame Afornu

International Journal of Nuclear Security

Growing attention is being given to nuclear power across several African countries, including in Ghana. The world is depending on nuclear energy as a reliable and efficient means of energy generation. Ghana as a country is developing nuclear energy; thus, equal attention must be directed toward nuclear safety and security. Ghana is gradually developing interest in and is devoting substantial required resources to educating and training on nuclear security to meet the standards required by international bodies. Institutions such as the Nuclear Safety and Security Centre and the School of Nuclear and Allied Sciences of the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission …

Tests Of A Gamma Spectrometer-Neutron Counter Relationship As A Neutron Alarm Metric In Mobile Radiation Search Systems, Jackson N. Wagner, Craig Marianno

International Journal of Nuclear Security

A mobile radiological search system (MRSS) is frequently used in nuclear security to interdict illicit nuclear material. One difficulty an MRSS faces is in characterizing its detectors’ background responses, particularly in its neutron counter(s). This difficulty adds complications to identifying the presence of neutron-emitting radiological materials during an operation. Fortunately, previous work has identified a power law relationship between muons registered by the MRSS’s gamma detectors and background neutrons. This relationship can be applied to estimate the MRSS’s background neutron count rate using that muon count rate. To test the usability of such an estimate, an MRSS was used to …

Stress Relaxation Cracking In 347h Austenitic Steel Weldments Under Various Heat Treatments: Experiments And Modeling, Yi Yang

Doctoral Dissertations

347H austenitic stainless steel exhibits exceptional creep and corrosion resistance, rendering it an exemplary candidate for pipeline materials, particularly in mid- to high-temperature working conditions. However, due to constraints in component dimensions, welding has been chosen as the preferred method for joining pipeline systems extensively employed in nuclear power plants, fossil fuel plants, and petrochemical companies. The welding process entails the accumulation of residual stress during the cooling stage, along with the introduction of microstructure evolution. Moreover, the residual stress field and microstructure continuously evolve under service conditions, thereby intensifying the susceptibility of crack initiation and propagation. The initial residual …

Development Of A Portable, Tileable, Dual-Particle Radiography System, Christian Xavier Young

Doctoral Dissertations

A scalable, portable, multi-particle neutron radiography device has been developed using commercial-off-the-shelf-parts. The IDEAS ROSSPAD readout module was selected for use in developing the radiography panel due to its single-wire Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) connectivity and its tileable form factor. Each ROSSPAD detector is paired with an 8 by 8 array of 6-mm-pitch Sensl J-Series silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs). With both single and multi-ROSSPAD testing, a detection package consisting of a 3-mm-thick sheet of EJ-200 plastic scintillator and a 3-mm-thick sheet of acrylic light spreader was coupled to the SiPM board face. After both quality assurance of the detector packages and the calibration …

A Two-Diameter Helical Endmill Beam Model For Tool Tip Dynamics Prediction With Application To Milling, Emma D. Betters

Doctoral Dissertations

The aim of this dissertation is to describe the dynamic response of helical endmill geometries to enable the use of receptance coupling substructure analysis (RCSA) to predict the tool tip vibration response of arbitrary tool-holder-spindle-machine combinations. The tool tip vibration response, or receptance, is a key input for milling stability prediction. Currently, a measurement is required to determine the tool tip receptance for each tool-holder-spindle-machine combination, which may not be possible in production environments. In the RCSA approach, the spindle receptances are measured once and archived, while the tool and holder are modeled. Tool tip receptances are predicted by analytically …

Enhanced Bioretention Modeling At The Catchment-Scale: An Integrated Drainmod-Urban And Swmm Approach, Ghada Diab

Doctoral Dissertations

Bioretention systems are increasingly being adopted in stormwater management as an effective measure to promote infiltration and restore more natural hydrology in urbanized watersheds. Given the significant financial investment in these practices, reliable bioretention models are necessary to predict the effectiveness of these practices prior to installation. One such model, DRAINMOD-Urban (DM-Urban), was recently developed to produce hydrographs with a high temporal resolution at the site-scale, showing substantial promise during initial testing. However, the dataset used for initial testing was limited, consisting of one bioretention area with minimal occasions of overflow. Additionally, DM-Urban is an input-heavy model and there is …

Static And Dynamic State Estimation Applications In Power Systems Protection And Control Engineering, Ibukunoluwa Olayemi Korede

Doctoral Dissertations

The developed methodologies are proposed to serve as support for control centers and fault analysis engineers. These approaches provide a dependable and effective means of pinpointing and resolving faults, which ultimately enhances power grid reliability. The algorithm uses the Least Absolute Value (LAV) method to estimate the augmented states of the PCB, enabling supervisory monitoring of the system. In addition, the application of statistical analysis based on projection statistics of the system Jacobian as a virtual sensor to detect faults on transmission lines. This approach is particularly valuable for detecting anomalies in transmission line data, such as bad data or …

Atomic-Level Mechanisms Of Fast Relaxation In Metallic Glasses, Leo W. Zella

Doctoral Dissertations

Glasses are ubiquitous in daily life and have unique properties which are a consequence of the underlying disordered structure. By understanding the fundamental processes that govern these properties, we can modify glasses for desired applications. Key to understanding the structure-dynamics relationship in glasses is the variety of relaxation processes that exist below the glass transition temperature. Though these relaxations are well characterized with macroscopic experimental techniques, the microscopic nature of these relaxations is difficult to elucidate with experimental tools due to the requirements of timescale and spatial resolution. There remain many questions regarding the microscopic nature of relaxation in glass …

Transportation System Performance And Traveler Behavior In The Context Of A Systemwide Shock: Applications Of Data Science Toward A Sustainable Future, A. Latif Patwary

Doctoral Dissertations

The COVID-19 pandemic, a systemwide shock, has left a long-lasting and significant impact on transportation systems. It has contributed to a shift in travel behavior, with many people turning to work from home (WFH) and online shopping. This shift has led to a reduction in vehicular travel. However, the pandemic witnessed increased crash fatalities despite a reduction in overall crashes, disproportionately affecting disadvantaged communities (DACs). The main question arising from these pandemic-related issues is what we can learn to improve transportation systems and shape future travel behavior. Therefore, this dissertation aims to investigate how the transportation system changed during COVID-19 …

Exploring Soil Microbial Dynamics In Southern Appalachian Forests: A Systems Biology Approach To Prescribed Fire Impacts, Saad Abd Ar Rafie

Doctoral Dissertations

Prescribed fires in Southern Appalachian forests are vital in ecosystem management and wildfire risk mitigation. However, understanding the intricate dynamics between these fires, soil microbial communities, and overall ecosystem health remains challenging. This dissertation addresses this knowledge gap by exploring selected aspects of this complex relationship across three interconnected chapters.

The first chapter investigates the immediate effects of prescribed fires on soil microbial communities. It reveals subtle shifts in porewater chemistry and significant increases in microbial species richness. These findings offer valuable insights into the interplay between soil properties and microbial responses during the early stages following a prescribed fire. …

3d Experimental Studies Of Temperature And Crystallographic Effects On Creep And Strength In Rock Salt, Amirsalar Moslehy

Doctoral Dissertations

Salt domes utilization as storage reservoirs in the energy sector has led to extensive studies on rock salt’s mechanical and geothermal behavior. These important facilities’ safety and serviceability rely on understanding rock salt’s compressive strength and creep behavior under various loading directions, water contents, in-situ stresses, and temperatures. Despite numerous studies on rock salt’s mechanical behavior in the literature, there are still many unanswered questions about rock salt’s behavior. This dissertation was aimed at utilizing state-of-the-art experimental techniques such as 3D synchrotron micro-computed tomography (SMT) and 3D x-ray diffraction (3DXRD) along with hundreds of compression and creep experiments to enhance …

Fourier Analysis And Optimization Of Inductive Wireless Power Transfer For Electric Vehicle Charging, Andrew P. Foote

Doctoral Dissertations

With the growth of electric vehicle (EV) popularity, different charging options to increase user convenience and reduce charging time such as high power wireless charging are increasingly being developed and researched. Inductive wireless power transfer (WPT) systems for EVs must meet specifications such as stray field, battery power and voltage operating range, efficiency, and ground clearance. The coil geometry and design have a large impact in meeting these constraints. Typical design approaches include iterative analysis of predetermined coil geometries to identify candidates that meet these constraints.

This work instead directly generates WPT coil shapes and magnetic fields to meet specifications …

Characterization Of Radiotolerance In Potato And Development Of A Gamma Radiation Phytosensor., Robert Graham Sears

Doctoral Dissertations

As humans pursue space travel and nuclear energy, the risk of harm from ionizing radiation increases. On Earth or in space, plants are essential to our personal and environmental health. Plants serve as sentinels, bioremediators and food sources in areas of high ionizing radiation, therefore it is essential to understand how ionizing radiation affects plant biology. This work aimed to understand plant responses to ionizing radiation in the potato chassis and apply that knowledge to generate novel phenotypes for nuclear energy and space applications. The first gamma radiation phytosensor was developed for monitoring at standoff distances greater than three meters. …

Effect Of Seawater And Temperature Upon Carbon Fiber/Vinyl Ester (Cfve) Composites And Its Constituents, Vivek Chawla

Doctoral Dissertations

An experimental and computational investigation has been carried out to: (1) develop micromechanical characterization techniques for polymeric composites and (2) evaluate the effects of seawater and temperature upon the micro- and macro-response of the carbon fiber vinyl ester composites (CF/VE). Compression properties degradation due to short-term and long-term exposure to seawater is evaluated. A 12-16 % reduction in compression strength is observed due to long-term exposure to seawater, which is attributed to a decrease in interfacial shear strength (IFSS) due to long-term exposure to seawater. The developed Push-out methodology is used to characterize the IFSS. The presented approach consistently yields …

Additively Manufactured Nature Inspired Morphology For Redesign: Advancing Next Generation Energy Systems, Vanshika Singh

Doctoral Dissertations

To meet cleaner energy goals and increasing demand, energy systems such as gas turbines and power plants are required to be operated under harsh loading conditions like higher temperatures and pressures, fluctuating loads, and corrosive environments. Advanced manufacturing techniques such as additive manufacturing (AM) have put us on the trajectory for next-generation system designs, allowing complex geometries and high-temperature alloys with tailored material properties. We need new and systematic design philosophies to use AM's unique characteristics prudently. For a given functionality, nature tends to provide similar solutions in animate and inanimate structures. We propose to take inspiration from nature's repetitive …

Characterization Of Lignin Structural Variability And The Associated Application In Genome Wide Association Studies, Nathan D. Bryant

Doctoral Dissertations

Poplar (Populus sp.) is a promising biofuel feedstock due to advantageous features such as fast growth, the ability to grow on marginal land, and relatively low lignin content. However, there is tremendous variability associated with the composition of biomass. Understanding this variability, especially in lignin, is crucial to developing and implementing financially viable, integrated biorefineries. Although lignin is typically described as being comprised of three primary monolignols (syringyl, guaiacyl, p-hydroxyphenyl), it is a highly irregular biopolymer that can incorporate non-canonical monolignols. It is also connected by a variety of interunit linkages, adding to its complexity. Secondary cell wall …