Engineering Commons^™

Process Optimization Of An Ethylbenzene Production Facility Through Integrated Process Simulation And Economic Analysis Methods, Veronica Cunitz

Honors Theses

The following thesis consists of an investigation into the optimization of an ethylbenzene production facility. Aspen Plus software was used to model the production facility and Excel was used to price the facility using Aspen simulation data. This integrated technique was used to optimize the facility based on the Net Present Value (NPV) of the project. The NPV was improved from a base case value of -$23.5 million to a final value of $51.5 million. After this optimization based on NPV, the potential of operating the reactors as isothermal packed bed reactors was investigated. The reactor inlet feed pressure, inlet …

Investigating The Effects Of Suspended Algal Content, Dissolved Oxygen, And Temperature On A High-Frequency Acoustic Attenuation System In A Controlled Laboratory Environment, Noah Watson

Honors Theses

The Single Frequency Acoustic Attenuation System (SFAAS) has been developed at the National Center for Physical Acoustics (NCPA). This system uses acoustic methods to monitor fine suspended sediment concentration in streams. Site-specific calibrations are necessary for this system, and previous research has indicated that algal concentration or dissolved oxygen concentration of water may affect collected data. Temperature, dissolved oxygen concentration, and fluorescence, used as a proxy for algal concentration, were monitored during this system’s use, and calibrations were derived to account for the effect of each of these variables on acoustic measurements. It has been shown that temperature has a …

The Design And Optimization Of An Ethylbenzene Production Process, Alexander Koons

Honors Theses

Ethylbenzene is a foundational organic compound used as a reactant in styrene production. The objective of this thesis is to present the optimization of the in-house production process of ethylbenzene, aiming to avoid external procurement for the downstream styrene manufacturing facility. The process underlines a strategic approach to enhance the yield and cost efficiency of the production of ethylbenzene. An economic analysis revealed a promising net present value of approximately $57.6 million. This thesis not only proposes a viable route for internal ethylbenzene generation but also discusses optimizing the chemical production processes for enhanced efficiency and sustainability.

An Overview Of The Product Development Process For A Lounging Grove Chair: The Rebel Lounge, Gracey Massengill

Honors Theses

This report focuses on the process of completing my senior capstone project for the Center for Manufacturing Excellence with my teammates, Andrew Brady, Carter Doss, Brooke Grissinger, and Karson Wardell. It explains the development, design and manufacturing of the Rebel Lounge Chair, a comfortable, portable and versatile chair made with the University of Mississippi Grove in mind and the prospective customers that would purchase such a chair. The report describes the phases of brainstorming, market research, prototyping, manufacturing process development, and accounting analysis that the Rebel Lounge capstone team went through to create their product.

Due to out-of-the-box brainstorming and …

Synthesis And Analysis Of A Novel Magnetic Surfactant, Donovan Turpin

Honors Theses

Researchers in the University of Mississippi Chemical Engineering Department have suggested that chelation of a large magnetic transition metal, namely dysprosium, into the large polar head group of a surfactant could result in a magnetic surfactant. This project was aimed at synthesizing a surfactant with a large enough head group and negative charge (specifically EDTA) to support this ion and demonstrating that the chelation process was successful. If so, the molecule would ideally be capable of forming micelles which could extract oily substances from water using a strong magnet—possibly applicable to environmental crises like oil spills.

NMR analysis has suggested, …

Spin Coating Multilayer Polymer Films To Improve The Consistency And Longevity Of Interval Drug Release, Katherine Nevils

Honors Theses

Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) is a clinical diagnosis for patients suffering from major depressive disorder (MDD). An inadequate response to the dosage or duration of antidepressant medication can lead to the diagnosis of TRD. This diagnosis is common in up to 50% of patients with MDD following treatment. Microdosing of classical psychedelics such as lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) has been shown to have positive cognitive and therapeutic effects on patients with TRD. However, issues of patient compliance to the complex regimen and abuse/diversion of the schedule I controlled substances remain unresolved. The goal of this project is to create an implantable, …

Creating A Collapsible Sling Lift Capable Of Transporting Patients Between Various Locations, Cameron Delaney Hillman, Macey Jewell Ross, Lydia Noel Miller

Honors Theses

As Senior Biomedical Engineering students at the University of Mississippi, we, Lainey Hillman, Lydia Miller, and Macey Ross, are required to complete a final senior capstone for our department. This project aims to provide a solution to a current unmet clinical need in the healthcare industry, thus our team sought to improve the lack of transportability of sling lifts. The current sling lifts on the market display numerous issues: heavy, bulky, use confined to certain areas, and use specific for only one type of transportation. To combat these problems, we designed a sling lift that was lightweight, collapsible, safe, and …

Creating A Collapsible Sling Lift Capable Of Transporting Patients Between Various Locations, Macey Jewell Ross, Cameron Delaney Hillman, Lydia Noel Miller

Honors Theses

As Senior Biomedical Engineering students at the University of Mississippi, we, Lainey Hillman, Lydia Miller, and Macey Ross, are required to complete a final senior capstone for our department. This project aims to provide a solution to a current unmet clinical need in the healthcare industry, thus our team sought to improve the lack of transportability of sling lifts. The current sling lifts on the market display numerous issues: heavy, bulky, use confined to certain areas, and use specific for only one type of transportation. To combat these problems, we designed a sling lift that was lightweight, collapsible, safe, and …

Variable Design Stent To Prevent Stent Failure In Areas Of High Mobility In Peripheral Artery Disease Patients, Emmie Stevens, Brennan Toepfer, Lexi Graves

Honors Theses

As senior biomedical engineering students at the University of Mississippi, we were tasked with a senior project to find an unmet clinical need in the healthcare industry and design a way to solve it. Our team, consisting of Hannah Dunn, Lexi Graves, Emmie Stevens, and Brennan Toepfer, decided to improve upon current stents to create a stent more suited to treating Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD), especially in high-impact areas, such as the back of the knee joint. Stents placed in the back of the knee have a high level of stent failure due to the high movement of the knee …

Population At Risk: The Design And Production Of The Pollinator Plaza, Shane Houston Stephens

Honors Theses

This report focuses on the development and manufacturing of the Pollinator Plaza, a high-quality bug house created to combat pollinator population loss. According to countless studies, pollinator populations have seen a dramatic decrease in recent years, and this product was developed to address these alarming statistics by providing a suitable habitat for pollinators. A market analysis was used to identify our potential clientele and cost point. This research played an integral part in the design of the Pollinator Plaza, which was developed using AutoCAD software. This design became a reality through the construction of a physical prototype.

The Pollinator Plaza’s …

The Effects Of Uv Degradation On Polycarbonate Plastics Under Dynamic Compressive Loading, Hannah Bradford

Honors Theses

The objective of this experiment was to analyze the dynamic properties of polycarbonate plastics subjected to accelerated ultraviolet (UV) exposure. This was done by subjecting rods of polycarbonate plastic to UV degradation in a QUV accelerated weathering machine for 375, 750, and 1500-hours. These rods were then tested under dynamic compression using a Split-Hopkinson Pressure Bar at an average strain rate of 1600/s. The Split-Hopkinson pressure bar works by rapidly compressing a sample between 3 axial rods sending an elastic wave through the sample. The strain gauges on the incident rod and the transmission rod transformed the elastic wave deformation …

Minimizing Patient Migration: Enhancing Safety And Comfort For Patients And Caregivers In Bedridden Care, Danielle Pasquini

Honors Theses

Biomedical engineering seniors at the University of Mississippi embark on a senior project aimed at addressing an unmet clinical need. Our team, consisting of Kelsie Hand, Christian Miller, and Danielle Pasquini, identified a prevalent issue of bedridden patients slipping down in bed, leading to increased repositioning by caregivers. This not only impacts patient comfort but also poses risks of complications such as pressure ulcers and caregiver injuries. In our efforts to tackle the issue of patient slippage among bedridden individuals, our team introduced a novel solution comprising a non-slip vest for patients and a corresponding non-slip sheet attachment. This integrated …

Optimization Of Ethylbenzene Production Facility, Chance Ferrell

Honors Theses

Ethylbenzene is a foundational organic compound used as a reactant in styrene production. The objective of this thesis is to present the optimization of the in-house production process of ethylbenzene, aiming to avoid external procurement for the downstream styrene manufacturing facility. The process underlines a strategic approach to enhance the yield and cost efficiency of the production of ethylbenzene. An economic analysis revealed a promising net present value of approximately $57.6 million. This thesis not only proposes a viable route for internal ethylbenzene generation but also discusses optimizing the chemical production processes for enhanced efficiency and sustainability.

Modeling Vibration Stiffness: An Analytical Extension Of Hertzian Theory For Angular Contact Bearings With A Thin Viscoelastic Coating, Davis R. Burton

Honors Theses

This thesis considers the novel angular contact rolling-element bearings proposed by NASA’s Glenn Research Center, which are coated with a thin solid lubricant that exhibits viscoelastic behavior. Current analytical models for the dynamic stiffness matrix of angular contact bearings, critical for vibration analysis, lack the ability to model the effects of a solid coating, as well as the time dependencies inherent in viscoelastic theory. The author first presents an overview of the stiffness matrix derivation, followed by a treatment of the underlying Hertzian contact theory. An analytical extension of this theory is proposed which accounts for a thin elastic layer …

Emotional Experiences Of Black U.S. Computer Science And Engineering Students Amid Faculty-Student Interactions, Kyle Shanachilubwa

Honors Theses

Black students encounter unique challenges in computer science and engineering education. Chief among these is a disconnect with faculty due to a lack of mentorship and difficulties in interactions with faculty. Despite these challenges, Black students bring many engineering and computer science assets. This study aims to understand the emotional experiences of Black students in computer science and engineering education. We present an interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) to answer the questions: (1) How do Black students experience faculty-student interactions in computer science and engineering education? (2) How do Black students experience professional shame in these interactions? To answer these research …

Side Channel Detection Of Pc Rootkits Using Nonlinear Phase Space, Rebecca Clark

Honors Theses

Cyberattacks are increasing in size and scope yearly, and the most effective and common means of attack is through malicious software executed on target devices of interest. Malware threats vary widely in terms of behavior and impact and, thus, effective methods of detection are constantly being sought from the academic research community to offset both volume and complexity. Rootkits are malware that represent a highly feared threat because they can change operating system integrity and alter otherwise normally functioning software. Although normal methods of detection that are based on signatures of known malware code are the standard line of defense, …

Meta Project: Construction, Validation, And Flight Testing Of A New Meta Aircraft Design, William Andrew Wearren

Honors Theses

Meta aircraft are a type of aircraft that can connect via wingtip, nose-to-tail, or both wingtip and nose-to-tail in order to create a lattice of aircraft that can fly together to a site, detach, survey different areas, and then reattach for flight back to the main base. The project started at the Georgia Institute of Technology with Dr. Carlos Montalvo and is being continued at the University of South Alabama Facility for Aerospace Systems and Technology Lab. This paper seeks to theoretically verify the new aircraft design for the META project, complete the development of the design, and to experimentally …

Suppressing Reactive Oxygen Species Via Application Of Antioxidant Supramolecular Polymers, Zacchaeus Wallace

Honors Theses

Cardiovascular diseases along with various other disease conditions are characterized by an upregulation in reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can overwhelm homeostatic processes in the body, resulting in cellular apoptosis and severe oxidative damage. The lack of clinically approved treatments to regulate or alleviate this elevated ROS presence underscores the need for novel therapeutic strategies. While antioxidants promote cell rescue through ROS scavenging, their clinical translation is impeded by insufficient bioavailable concentrations at the source of injury. The opportunity to apply antioxidant supramolecular polymers of peptide amphiphiles (PAs) is an exciting prospect of research to combat corresponding issues. For this …

Fleet Renewal Proposal, Siba Al Ghailani

Honors Theses

Our organization, Wings Consulting, is proud to propose an extensive proposal that aims to improve the training fleet and advance aviation education in response to the changing demands of Western Michigan University's Aviation College. Our firm is dedicated to providing WMU with an aircraft fleet that is adequate to the institution and will enable future pilots to achieve prosperity while also possessing a deep grasp of the aviation industry and a dedication to perfection.

The purpose of this proposal is to introduce our company's profile, clarify our recommended course of action, and lay out a methodical plan for helping WMU …

Fleet Renewal Proposal, Amna Al Bulushi

Honors Theses

The topic for our thesis will be demonstrating a fleet proposal request to our client, Western Michigan University. We will be introducing our company profile that will include aviation-related services and solutions. Our company will take several actions to help our client choose a well-suited aircraft that will help future pilots train with all the necessities needed to excel at WMU. We will provide initial steps to take action such as assisting with fleet management, safety enhancements, streamlined operations, financial marketing, and more. Later, our company will demonstrate a letter of intent to the dean of the aviation college, Dr. …

Fleet Renewal Proposal, Fatema Al Ajmi

Honors Theses

The topic for our thesis will be demonstrating a fleet proposal request to our client, Western Michigan University. We will be introducing our company profile that will include aviation-related services and solutions. Our company will take several actions to help our client choose a well-suited aircraft that will help future pilots train with all the necessities needed to excel at WMU. We will provide initial steps to take action such as assisting with fleet management, safety enhancements, streamlined operations, financial marketing, and more. Later, our company will demonstrate a letter of intent to the dean of the aviation college, Dr. …

Hydrogen Fuel Cell Catalyst Test Stand For Single Cell Evaluation, Tyler Johnson

Honors Theses

The main objective of this project was to develop at test stand and relevant testing procedures to aid in ongoing research being conducted by Dr. Ghantasala’s team on platinum-alternative catalyst materials used in proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). To do this, various software (Microsoft Excel, Python, and Simscape) were used to create fuel cell simulations of increasing complexity. These simulations served as baselines for PEMFC evaluation in experimental testing, and they were used to create polarization curves, a standard method for evaluating steady state fuel cell performance. A test stand was also created in order to effectively and efficiently …

Design Of Telemetry And Remote-Control System For Electric Propulsion Testing, Logan Alvesteffer

Honors Theses

Ground testing of electric propulsion (EP) devices occurs inside vacuum chambers and is monitored using high-frequency and low-frequency telemetry systems. These systems provide critical operational information about the device’s performance by monitoring values such as voltage, current, gas flow rates, and chamber pressures. Ground facility telemetry systems can operate as integrated control and safety architecture while testing EP devices. EP testing at Western Michigan University (WMU) is located within the Aerospace Laboratory for Plasma Experiments (ALPE). The Cold plasma Experimental Research Station (CEReS) is outfitted with CTI-250F and CTI-10 cryogenic pumps for a combined pumping capacity of 5,200L/s-air. CEReS facilitates …

1st Person Ev With Electronic Differential, Tessa Biondo

Honors Theses

The First Person EV with Electronic Differential for Vehicle Dynamics Analysis project makes a significant leap forward in the exploration of electric vehicle (EV) stability and performance enhancement. Lead by a team of skilled electrical engineering students under the guidance of WMU’s associate Professor Dr. Sandun Kuruppu, this project aims to improve EV stability by optimizing power and torque distribution between wheels using an electronic differential system. The project encompasses the design and assembly of a 1/7^th scale custom electric vehicle, capable of remote control via a first-person view (FPV) camera and modified USB wheel and pedal assembly. The …

Energy-Absorbing Helmet For Safer Football, Aidan Laudeman

Honors Theses

Football-related injuries are a common occurrence and are often detrimental to the player’s health. Force impacts frequently occur at the front, back, and sides of a player’s helmet, resulting in head injuries like concussions. The goal of this project is to reduce recurrent head injuries by designing a solution involving the use of energy-absorbing metallic materials that are inserted into a football helmet. These energy-absorbing materials are configured in target zones inside the helmet to reduce the acceleration of the head based on impact locations. The chosen materials are nitinol and spring steel, which display energy-absorbing properties. Various energy-absorbing material …

Production Of Mrna Vaccine For Influenza, Christina Miller

Honors Theses

The objective of this project is to design a process to produce an mRNA influenza vaccine that serves as an alternative to conventional influenza vaccines, replacing current options with innovative mRNA technologies. Given that older populations are most likely to follow up on immunizations consistently, and the increasing average age worldwide, the market for this project appears to be expanding in the next 80 years. Additionally, experts predict more frequent mutations and outbreaks of viral disease from a variety of factors including globalization and global temperature trends. Rapid response to these viral outbreaks will continue to be as, or even …

Electric Ducted Fan Lander, Maggie Waechter

Honors Theses

This report, and corresponding project, addresses the fact that there are not many student experiments with controlling real spacecrafts due to the scarceness of the craft, cost, risk, and finite fuel supply. This project demonstrates the possibility of a classroom substitute for students to understand how landers would operate on planetary bodies. In order to achieve flight from the drone, there were two separate designs produced, the electrical and structural system, that were integrated together to form a full prototype. The performance of the electric ducted fans (EDFs) as well as the batteries were tested to ensure that the components …

Monitoring Aerosols With Time Resolution With A Rotating Drum Sampler Using La-Icpms For Elemental Analysis, John V. Piorkowski

Honors Theses

This thesis presents a comprehensive study on the characterization and application of a rotating drum sampler for air quality monitoring, with a focus on aerosol composition analysis using Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICPMS). The study aimed to determine (1) the cut-off points of the drum sampler to better understand its performance characteristics and (2) to investigate indoor air quality, specifically within makerspaces on Bucknell University’s campus. The research highlighted the novelty of applying LA-ICPMS for time-resolved aerosol composition analysis, demonstrating the potential for low-cost pollution concentration studies. The characterization experiments did not yield expected results, but the …

Experimental Evaluation Of Mesh Size In Physically Crosslinked Polymer Gels Using Dynamic Light Scattering, Duncan M. Hill

Honors Theses

Block copolymer gels are under consideration as drug delivery patches. Controlling and modeling the transport inside the gel is an important contribution to the successful delivery of pharmaceuticals. The diffusive transport of a solute – such as a therapeutic compound – within the gel can be described by the mesh size of the gel, which is defined as the distance between polymer chains. Existing experimental evaluations of mesh size do not work for block copolymer gels due to differences in the fundamental gel structure. As such, an experimental method of measuring mesh size of block copolymer gels using dynamic light …

The Precedence-Constrained Quadratic Knapsack Problem, Changkun Guan

Honors Theses

This thesis investigates the previously unstudied Precedence-Constrained Quadratic Knapsack Problem (PC-QKP), an NP-hard nonlinear combinatorial optimization problem. The PC-QKP is a variation of the traditional Knapsack Problem (KP) that introduces several additional complexities. By developing custom exact and approximate solution methods, and testing these on a wide range of carefully structured PC-QKP problem instances, we seek to identify and understand patterns that make some cases easier or harder to solve than others. The findings aim to help develop better strategies for solving this and similar problems in the future.