Engineering Commons^™

Structure-Property-Processing Analysis Of Graphene Bioscaffolds For Viability And Differentiation Of C2c12 Cells, Lynn Karriem

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

We investigated the structure – property – processing correlation of graphene bioscaffolds produced using three different methods. Bioscaffolds were prepared by chemical vapor deposition (CVD), sublimation of Silicon Carbide (SiC), and printed solvent assisted exfoliated graphene ink. To gain insight into the roughness and topography of graphene, AFM was performed on each bioscaffold. Raman spectroscopy mapping demonstrated differences in the I_2D/I_G ratio for each scaffold. Young’s modulus was determined by nanoindentation and indicated that epitaxial graphene had the highest average stiffness, followed by CVD, with printed graphene demonstrating the lowest average stiffness. To investigate the biocompatibility of …

Analyzing The Effects Of Rejuvenators In Balanced Mix Design With High Percentages Of Recycled Asphalt Pavement, Amanda Jo Mullins

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Interest in sustainable practices have increased in several industries, including civil engineering pavement materials. The incorporation of Recycled Asphalt Pavement (RAP) into new pavement mix design is a popular method of application for sustainable practice and is accompanied by numerous economic and environmental benefits. There is significant interest in using large amounts of this RAP material in pavement design to maximize the benefits, but several problems arise when utilizing “high” amounts of this material (more than 25% RAP replacement) due to aged and oxidized binder that negatively impacts the properties. The use of rejuvenators (RAs) and Balanced Mix Design (BMD) …

Heteroepitaxy Of Gasb On Gaas (111)A For Electron Transport Studies, Madison Drake

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

III-V semiconductors grown by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) on (111) surfaces have some interesting electronic properties. For certain materials with a (111)-orientation, the Γ- and L-valleys are reasonably close in energy. This means that it may be possible to take advantage of electron conduction in the L- and Γ-valleys at the same time, allowing us to overcome the so-called “density-of-states bottleneck,” and enable transistors with large drive currents.¹ We have investigated this phenomenon in GaSb- and InAs-based 2D electron gases for which the electron effective masses are low.

However, growth of materials with a (111) orientation is typically more …

Tibial Compression During Activities Of Daily Living In Young And Older Adults, Elijah Miles Walker

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Stress fracture, particularly in the tibia, is a growing concern among older adults (greater than 65 years). Older adults may have inherent stress fracture risk from ageing-related changes to their musculoskeletal system. Specifically, older adults reduced ankle neuromuscular function may impair their ability to attenuate repetitive compressive forces experienced during daily locomotor tasks and increase the likelihood of suffering bone damage from decreased bone tissue elasticity. Yet, it is currently unknown if older adults exhibit greater tibial compression than their younger counterparts during locomotor tasks. Purpose: This study sought to quantify tibial compression for older and younger adults when …

Deep Learning Of Microstructures, Amir Abbas Kazemzadeh Farizhandi

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

The internal structure of materials also called the microstructure plays a critical role in the properties and performance of materials. The chemical element composition is one of the most critical factors in changing the structure of materials. However, the chemical composition alone is not the determining factor, and a change in the production process can also significantly alter the materials' structure. Therefore, many efforts have been made to discover and improve production methods to optimize the functional properties of materials. The most critical challenge in finding materials with enhanced properties is to understand and define the salient features of the …

Use Of Harsh-Braking Data From Connected Vehicles As A Surrogate Safety Measure, Nathaniel Patrick Edelmann

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Traffic safety may be analyzed with the use of surrogate safety measures, measures of safety that do not incorporate collision data but rather rely on the concept of traffic conflicts. Use of these measures provides several benefits over use of more traditional analysis methods with historical crash data. Surrogate measures eliminate the need to wait for crashes to occur to conduct a safety analysis. The amount of time required for enough crash data to accumulate can be significant, delaying safety analyses. Similarly, these measures allow for safety analysis to be conducted prior to crashes occurring, potentially calling attention to hazardous …

Using Food-Industry Byproduct To Treat Expansive Clay, Nicole L. Shaw

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Lime stabilization has proven to be a valuable method in improving the properties of expansive clays under light structures such as those in transportation projects where ground improvement methods are often necessary over a large area. Hydrous and quick lime products are also utilized in various types of food processing operations to remove impurities from agricultural products. During this purification, waste is produced consisting of precipitated calcium carbonate, organic debris, and trace amounts of soil and agricultural contaminants. This food-processing waste typically contains commercially available unspent lime products, which are still viable for construction applications. Hence, this type of waste …

Direct Ink Writing Of Flexible Piezoelectric Sensors, Amanda M. White

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Piezoelectric poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-trifluoroethylene), or PVDF-trFE, builds up significant electrical charges on its surface when stressed. By correlating the mechanical force with the resulting electrical charges or voltages, researchers have developed flexible, broadband, and biocompatible force sensors. PVDF-trFE force sensors are traditionally fabricated via spin coating or solvent casting, which result in large waste production and experience difficulties in forming complex geometries. To tackle these challenges, I leveraged a commercial direct ink writing system (nScrypt microdispenser) to additively manufacture PVDF-trFE force sensors. I first synthesized an unprecedented piezoelectric ink that is compatible with a commercial ink writing system at Boise State …

Microbiological, Environmental, And Compositional Factors In Efficacy Of Micp Treatment In Clayey Soils, Somaye Asghari

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Expansive clayey soils can cause billions of dollars of damage to infrastructure such as roads and foundations annually. Researchers propose many techniques (e.g., pre-wetting, soil replacement, and chemical stabilization) to improve the mechanical properties of these soils; however, some of these methods are impractical in certain situations, and are unsustainable in others due to the economic and environmental impacts. One possible method for enhancing soil’s mechanical properties is Microbial Induced Calcium Carbonate Precipitation (MICP). This environmentally friendly technique is a biological process where microbes play a key role in precipitating calcium carbonate. This precipitating calcium carbonate can coat soil particles …

Predicting Surgical Outcome In Patients With Recurrent Patellar Dislocation, Dario De Caro

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Introduction

Lateral dislocation of the patella is a common injury in active adolescents and young adults. Patients who are ultimately managed surgically have a significantly lower risk of recurrent dislocation. However, determining the optimal surgical treatment remains a challenge, with patients sometimes undergoing multiple surgeries prior to successful stabilization. The aim of this study is to computationally evaluate patients that have undergone multiple surgeries to correct for recurrent lateral patellar dislocation and predict their clinical outcome.

Methods

Our patient cohort consisted of 16 patients with patella dislocation. Patient-specific imaging were used to create three-dimensional (3D) finite element (FE) models of …

Integrated Neuromusculoskeletal Modeling Within A Finite Element Framework To Investigate Mechanisms And Treatment Of Neurodegenerative Conditions, Victoria L. Volk

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental disorders are a group of conditions that stem from irregularities in the nervous system that lead to complications in function and movement. The goal of this work is to develop computational tools that: (1) measure the accuracy of surgical interventions in neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental conditions, and (2) integrate neural and musculoskeletal frameworks to provide a platform to better investigate neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental disorders. Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative condition projected to affect over 1.2 million people by 2030 in the US. It is caused by atypical firing patterns in the basal ganglia region of the brain …

Seamless Transition Of A Microgrid Between Grid-Connected And Islanded Mode, Julie B. Matarweh

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

This thesis focuses on improving the behavior of inverters during transition periods from islanded mode to grid-connected mode (GC) and vice-versa. A systematic approach is presented to add smart features to inverters to enhance their capability to cope with sudden changes in the power system.

The importance of microgrids lies in their ability to provide a stable and reliable source of power for critical loads in the presence of faults. For this purpose, a design is proposed consisting of a distributed energy resource (DER), battery energy storage system (BESS) and a load connected through a bypass switch with the main …

Measuring Engineering Students' Engagement In Sustainability Design Concepts, Karen Aide Perez

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Within industries, governments, and accreditation organizations, there has been a push to incorporate sustainability concepts into their models. Universities like Boise State University (BSU) have already begun to place greater emphasis in inclusion of sustainability concepts in different engineering department curricula. As part of this effort, BSU plans to redesign courses to integrate sustainability concepts using active learning modules (ALMs) suited for each grade level and discipline. The effectiveness of these modules will be evaluated across disciplines. In support of this larger goal, the work in this study will specifically focus on mechanical engineering students.

A survey instrument was developed …

Open-Source Workflows For Reproducible Molecular Simulation, Jenny W. Fothergill

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

We apply molecular simulation to predict the equilibrium structure of organic molecular aggregates and how these structures determine material properties, with a focus on software engineering practices for ensuring correctness. Because simulations are implemented in software, there is potential for authentic scientific reproducibility in such work: An entire experimental apparatus (codebase) can be given to another investigator who should be able to use the same processes to find the same answers. Yet in practice, there are many barriers which stand in the way of reproducible molecular simulations that we address through automation, generalization, and software packaging. Collaboration on and application …

Innovative Foundation Alternative Inspired From Tree Roots, Macie Larranaga

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

It is not easy to find a more efficient foundation system than the roots of a tree. Trees create a vast three-dimensional network of roots to support and anchor the critical above-ground trunks, leaves, and limbs. In this work, investigations are made for the feasibility of imitating such a technique and creating similar networks to support civil infrastructure, particularly those subjected to moment loads such as traffic signal posts. Some of the raised questions were: Is it feasible to have a shallow tree root-based foundation system to provide the same capacities as conventional foundation alternatives? If this is feasible: What …

Reproducible Prediction Of Organic Semiconductor Properties Through Open Source Software Development, James Rushing

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Semiconducting materials made from carbon-based molecules are potential replacements for inorganic semiconductors, but with lower costs of processing. Devices made from organic semiconductors can be produced at scale by inkjet printing and roll-to-roll manufacturing of these molecules in solution or melt phases. The efficiency of these organic devices is dependent on the structure of the active layer, so controlling the morphology of organic molecules through self-assembly during manufacturing is a key challenge to realizing their utility. Molecular self-assembly depends on the chemical structure of the molecules, how key moieties interact with each other and with any solvent present, and the …

Data-Driven Passivity-Based Control Of Underactuated Robotic Systems, Wankun Sirichotiyakul

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Classical control strategies for robotic systems are based on the idea that feedback control can be used to override the natural dynamics of the machines. Passivity-based control (Pbc) is a branch of nonlinear control theory that follows a similar approach, where the natural dynamics is modified based on the overall energy of the system. This method involves transforming a nonlinear control system, through a suitable control input, into another fictitious system that has desirable stability characteristics. The majority of Pbc techniques require the discovery of a reasonable storage function, which acts as a Lyapunov function candidate that can be …

Study As Form-Of-Life: Meditations On Schooling, Enjoyment, And The Inoperative Life, Bryan K. Weeks

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

The aim of this thesis is to explore what potential that the concept of 'inoperativity' has in the philosophy and theory of education. I will discuss the method of critique used which aims to think through the problems in existing theory rather than discard good thinking when problems are found. The strengths and weaknesses of deschooling and democratic approaches will be at the center of this critique. As a response to the weaknesses of both, the philosophy of Emmanuel Levinas, focusing on the way that interiority and enjoyment are essential concepts for the philosophy of education, as well as Giorgio …

Process-Property Linkages Construction For Inkjet Printing With Machine Learning, Fataneh Jenabi

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Printed electronics are emerging technologies that can potentially revolutionize the manufacturing of electronic devices. One promising technology for printed electronics is inkjet printing. Inkjet printing offers both low-cost processing and high resolution. Being a subset of additive manufacturing, inkjet printing minimizes waste and is compatible with a wide range of inks. However, inkjet printing of electronic devices is still in its infancy. One major challenge for inkjet printing is the complexity of the process optimization and uncertain high throughput production. To achieve a high-quality print, there is a complex parameter space of materials and processing parameters that needs to be …

Rapid, Reliable Tissue Fractionation Algorithm For Commercial Scale Biorefineries, Rahul Reddy Kancharla

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Increasing demand, limited supply, and the impact on the environment raise significant concerns about the consumption of fossil fuels. Because of this, global economies are facing two significant energy challenges: i) securing the supply of reliable and affordable energy and ii) achieving the transformation to a low-carbon, high-efficiency, and sustainable energy system. Recently, there has been growing interest in developing portable transportation fuels from biomass in order to reduce the petroleum consumption in the transportation sector - a major contributor to greenhouse gas emission. A cost-effective conversion process to produce biofuels from lignocellulosic biomass material relies not just on the …

Millimeter-Wave Channel Measurements In Airport Environment, Mahfuza Khatun

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

The wide spectrum available at millimeter-wave (mmWave) bands promises very high data rates and has been proposed as an attractive solution to provide high-speed and reliable wireless communication. Further, there are various potential usages of mmWave technology in transportation, aviation, autonomous vehicles, robotics, etc. Specifically, it is anticipated that automation through this technology will affect and improve the operations in every phase in airport environments. Consequently, the extended autonomous capabilities at airports will generate and consume more information and increase the demand for robust data transfer, which requires larger data rates than ever before. Hence, mmWave frequency, due to its …

Contaminants Of Emerging Concern Behavior Within Water Renewal Facilities, Joshua C. Baker

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Emerging constituents (ECs), also called contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) are defined by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S.EPA) as: “…pharmaceuticals and personal care products.” This also includes per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which are used in waterproofing and non-stick cooking products. It is highly likely that regulatory limits will be placed on many ECs because they tend to accumulate in the environment and biological tissues with little to no transformation. ECs pose a threat to the ecological systems of our nation and the fundamental need for clean water by all life on earth. Clean water is essential for …

Understanding The Radiation Effects On Fiber Optic Sensors, Sohel Rana

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

In this dissertation, the effects of radiation (gamma, neutron or mixed gamma and neutron) on optical fiber sensors are studied and new techniques for real-time measurement of radiation-induced macroscopic changes in optical fibers are presented. It is crucial among the research and development efforts in the nuclear energy field to conduct experiments in Advanced Test Reactor (ATR) to support lifetime extension, novel fuels and materials development, better fuel management, and enhanced safety of existing as well as future nuclear power plants (NPP). Due to their unparalleled and unique advantages over traditional sensors, optical fiber sensors are deemed potential candidates for …

Biofidelic Considerations For Improving Standardized Airflow And Firmness Testing For Infant Sleep Products, Wyatt D. Davis

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Background

Over the last 30 years, 83 infant fatalities (113 reported, 30 incidental) directly involving crib bumpers have been reported to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Of these reports, 90% are for infants under a year old, with 61% occurring for infants between 1 and 4 months of age (Safety, 2020). There are currently a few regulations governing the design of crib bumper products, but none test the suffocation risk associated with these products using biofidelic methods.

Goals

We sought to explore the development of new testing methods that can determine the safety of different products and are physiologically representative …

Additive Manufacturing Of Sensors For Extreme Environments, Kiyo Tiffany Fujimoto

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Advanced manufacturing based direct-write technologies have emerged as the predominant enabler for the fabrication of active and passive sensors for use in harsh operating environments. The ability to directly write and integrate electronic components onto physical packaging can be achieved with additive manufacturing (AM) methods such as direct write technologies (DWT) which include aerosol jet printing (AJP), Ink Jet Printing (IJP), Plasma Jet Printing (PJP), and Micro-Dispense Printing (MDP). In this work, we investigate the use of these methods to accelerate, modernize, and enhance the functionality of sensors and instrumentation to achieve the goal of improving the safety and efficiency …

Experimentation Of Abrasion Erosion At High Temperature For Concentrated Solar Power Systems, Tessa Mei-Lin Fong

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Concentrated solar power (CSP) is an alternative and sustainable way to produce energy. Studies have shown that running these plants at high temperatures above 700°C can increase the thermal efficiency in heat transfer. Molten salt is usually used as the heat transfer medium but cannot be used due to its low maximum temperature and high freezing point. Running these plants at high temperature brings up the concern of erosion and oxidation. Abrasion erosion occurs through the interaction of particles and material. The goal of this research is to understand material degradation due to abrasion erosion to understand the durability of …

Design And Analysis Of Beam Steering Antennas For Next-Generation Wireless Communication, Shafaq Kausar

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Reconfigurable antennas have gained immense interest since the last few decades. Reconfigurable antennas can steer beams dynamically in response to the signal environment, they can also support multiple simultaneous beams. This research work aims to make considerable advancements in the design and analysis of low cost and low power beam steerable antennas. It focuses on the design and demonstration of several prototypes with advanced functionalities, such as passive (broadband, multi-beam, shapable beams) and active (electronically reconfigurable) antennas. The first part of this dissertation covers the design and development of passive metamaterial based multibeam antenna at 30 GHz. Designed antenna is …

Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy Of Zirconium Oxidation For In-Situ Nuclear Sensing Applications, Michael Andrew Reynolds

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

To meet the ever-growing energy demands of the modern world, alternative forms of producing power are necessary, and the field of nuclear engineering holds promise to answer this call. Nuclear fuel cladding in light water reactors (LWRs) currently draws a large amount of attention from scientists and researchers, as it provides many challenges to design around. Since the 1950s, zirconium and its protective oxide layer have been utilized as an effective material for the task, possessing good mechanical strengths, high corrosion resistance, and a low neutron absorption cross section. Despite these beneficial properties, however, fuel cladding remains vulnerable to several …

Towards Improving The Properties And Furthering Acceptance Of Advanced Technology Nuclear Fuels, Jennifer K. Watkins

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

To avoid detrimental environmental impacts from climate change, the world community needs to push for the use of clean energy technologies. Development of proposed advanced technology nuclear fuels supports efforts to ensure nuclear energy is included as a non-carbon emitting source of electricity generation. Advanced technology nuclear fuels, also referred to as accident tolerant fuels (ATFs), have received renewed interest for use in the current nuclear reactor fleet as well as in advanced reactor technologies due to their high uranium loading, desirable thermophysical properties, and performance under irradiation as compared to the benchmark oxide fuel. A limiting consideration for the …

Dreams Of Molecular Beams: Indium Gallium Arsenide Tensile-Strained Quantum Dots And Advances Towards Dynamic Quantum Dots (Moleculare Radiorum Somnia: Indii Gallii Arsenicus Tensa Quanta Puncta Et Ad Dinamicae Quantae Puntae Progressus), Kevin Daniel Vallejo

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Through the operation of a molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) machine, I worked on developing the homoepitaxy of high quality InAs with a (111)A crystallographic orientation. By tuning substrate temperature, we obtained a transition from a 2D island growth mode to step- ow growth. Optimized MBE parameters (substrate temperature = 500 °C, growth rate = 0.12 ML/s and V/III ratio ⩾ 40) lead to growth of extremely smooth InAs(111)A films, free from hillocks and other 3D surface imperfections. We see a correlation between InAs surface smoothness and optical quality, as measured by photoluminescence spectroscopy. This work establishes InAs(111)A as a platform …