Engineering Commons^™

Preparation And Hydrogen Absorption/Desorption Of Nanoporous Palladium Thin Films, Wen-Chung Li, Thomas John Balk

Chemical and Materials Engineering Faculty Publications

Nanoporous Pd (np-Pd) was prepared by co-sputtering Pd-Ni alloy films onto Si substrates, followed by chemical dealloying with sulfuric acid. X-ray diffractometry and chemical analysis were used to track the extent of dealloying. The np-Pd structure was changed from particle-like to sponge-like by diluting the sulfuric acid etchant. Using suitable precursor alloy composition and dealloying conditions, np-Pd films were prepared with uniform and open sponge-like structures, with interconnected ligaments and no cracks, yielding a large amount of surface area for reactions with hydrogen. Np-Pd films exhibited shorter response time for hydrogen absorption/desorption than dense Pd films, showing promise for hydrogen …

Fiscal Year 2009 Fhwa-536 Report For The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, Steven Douglas Kreis, Candice Y. Wallace

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) requires state transportation agencies to submit a biennial report on local highway finances. The purpose of these reports is to provide FHWA with the data it needs to capture the financing of highway activities at the local level. Based on this information, it can identify trends in revenue, expenditures, investments, and program development, and in turn make decisions about future investments. The report, FHWA-536, asks agencies to report on four areas of local highway finance: 1) disposition of highway-user revenues; 2) revenues used for roads and streets identified by source and funding type; 3) road …

Guardrail Location Rating System Users Manual, Charlie Sun, Tony L. Beckham, Tommy C. Hopkins, Jerry G. Pigman, Eric R. Green, Kenneth R. Agent

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s Division of Maintenance is responsible for identifying and prioritizing locations in need of guardrail. A procedure used by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet was originally developed by the Kentucky Transportation Center in 1989 and updated in 2002. Based on frequent usage by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet of the guardrail location rating system database, the need was identified to update the existing database and incorporate improved reporting capabilities. The objectives of the research study, as documented herein, were to update and improve the processes for identification of roadway locations that should be considered for installation of guardrail. Primary …

Device And Methods For Atomizing Fluids, Vedanth Srinivasan, Abraham J. Salazar, Kozo Saito, Richard Alloo, Sakakibara Masahito

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Patents

One embodiment of the invention is directed to an apparatus for atomizing a fluid. This apparatus includes an atomizing nozzle assembly. The atomizing nozzle assembly includes: a spray applicator enclosure having a fluid entry zone, a flow shape profiler region, a transducer, and a cavitation enhancer module, wherein the cavitation enhancer module includes a residence modulation zone and the residence modulation zone includes a backward facing step region. The apparatus is configured such that fluid can enter the fluid entry zone to the nozzle profiler, the transducer and the cavitation enhancer module. Other embodiments relate to methods for atomizing fluids.

Aligned Nanotubule Membranes, Bruce J. Hinds Iii

Chemical and Materials Engineering Faculty Patents

A method is provided for producing a permeable membrane, comprising the steps of aligning a plurality of hollow nanotubules to form a mat, coating the mat with a continuous polymer matrix to form a membrane. The membrane is etched (a) to open the plurality of hollow nanotubules and form pores and (b) to oxidize the carboxyl groups to carboxylate groups. At least one additional functional unit having at least one available amine group to bind the at least one additional functional unit to the nanotubule end carboxylate group may be provided. Membranes fabricated in accordance with the method of the …

Methods And Devices For Cryopreservation Of Biological Cells And Tissues, Dayong Gao, Gary Van Zant, Xiangdong Cui

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Patents

Novel methods, compositions, and devices for achieving optimal cooling of living cells during cryopreservation are disclosed. In one aspect, the method comprises gradually cooling the cell to a first predetermined temperature, followed by rapidly cooling the cell to a second predetermined temperature. In another aspect, a device is described for achieving a desired cooling rate for a cell, comprising a first container for holding a cell, a second container for holding the first container, and optionally a frame for holding the first container in a spaced apart relationship with the second container. The method of the invention comprises placing cells …

Methods For Cancer Detection, Kimberly W. Anderson, Kimberly M.L. May, Leonidas G. Bachas

Chemical and Materials Engineering Faculty Patents

A method is provided for detecting an analyte indicative of a cancer or a metastatic disease condition, which utilizes the ability of the analyte to induce permeability in a barrier. The method includes providing a biosensor having a barrier which is substantially impermeable to an ion, a permeable membrane which is selective for the ion, and a detector capable of detecting the ion. The biosensor is contacted with a sample including at least one of the ion and the analyte, wherein the analyte causes at least a portion of the ion to pass through the barrier and the membrane. Passage …

Analysis Of Traffic Crash Data In Kentucky (2004 – 2008), Eric R. Green, Kenneth R. Agent, Jerry G. Pigman

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This report documents an analysis of traffic crash data in Kentucky for the years of 2004 through 2008. A primary objective of this study was to determine average crash statistics for Kentucky highways. Average and critical numbers and rates of crashes were calculated for various types of highways in rural and urban areas. These data can be used in Kentucky’s procedure to identify locations that have abnormal rates or numbers of crashes.

The other primary objective of this study was to provide data that can be used in the preparation of the problem identification portion of Kentucky’s Annual Highway Safety …

Predictive Archaeological Modeling Using Gis-Based Fuzzy Set Estimation: A Case Study In Woodford County, Kentucky, Philip B. Mink, John Ripy, Keiron Bailey, Ted H. Grossardt

Kentucky Transportation Center Faculty and Researcher Publications

Analytic predictive archaeological models can have great utility for state Departments of Transportation, but it is difficult to model the likelihood of prehistoric settlement using geographical proxy predictor variables because of the complexity of how settlement choices were actually made, and the complex interaction between these variables using GIS. In many cases classic statistical modeling approaches require too much data to be useful. This research reports on a preliminary predictive model that combines Spatial Analyst and fuzzy logic modeling to capture expert archaeological knowledge and convert this into predictive surface. A test area was defined in Woodford County, KY and …

Linear Actuator Using Shape Memory Wire With Controller, Robert Ryan Vallance, Bruce L. Walcott, James E. Lumpp Jr., Aravind Balasubramanian, Osamah A. Rawashdeh

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Patents

A linear actuator is provided, comprising a housing defining an interior channel, a stop extending from the housing and displaceable relative to the housing, and at least one wire formed of a shape-memory alloy, the wire being attached at a first end to the stop and at a second end to the housing. When heated to a predetermined temperature, the wire applies a pulling force to the stop to cause the stop to slide in a first direction into the housing interior channel. A spring located in the housing interior channel applies a biasing force to the stop in a …

Estimating Water Application Efficiency For Drip Irrigation Emitter Patterns On Banana, Alisson Jadavi Pereira Da Silva, Eugênio Ferreira Coelho, Jarbas Honorio De Miranda, Stephen Ray Workman

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

The objective of this work was to evaluate root and water distribution in irrigated banana (Musa sp.), in order to determine the water application efficiency for different drip irrigation emitter patterns. Three drip emitter patterns were studied: two 4-L h^-1 emitters per plant (T1), four 4-L h^-1 emitters per plant (T2), and five 4-L h^-1 emitters per plant (T3). The emitters were placed in a lateral line. In the treatment T3, the emitters formed a continuous strip. The cultivated area used was planted with banana cultivar BRS Tropical, with a 3-m spacing between rows and a …

Use Of Co2 Concentration Difference Or Co2 Balance To Assess Ventilation Rate Of Broiler Houses, Hongwei Xin, Hong Li, Robert T. Burns, Richard S. Gates, Douglas G. Overhults, John W. Earnest

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

Ventilation rate (VR) is one of the two key elements for quantifying aerial emissions from animal production facilities. Direct, continuous measurement of building VR can be challenging and impractical under certain circumstances,e.g., naturally ventilated animal housing or a large number of ventilation fans in the building. This study examined the suitability of estimating VR of broiler houses with built‐up litter (mixture of manure and bedding), when supplemental heating was not in use, through either carbon dioxide (CO₂) balance or the relationship of VR to CO₂ concentration difference between exhaust and inlet air. The reference VR was based …

The North American Transportation Security Center – Serri Analysis Update, Steven Douglas Kreis, Michael M. Barclay

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Executive Summary

There are over 800,000 hazardous materials (hazmat) shipments over the nation’s roads each day. According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), terrorist activity related to the transportation of hazardous materials represents a significant threat to public safety and the nation’s critical infrastructure. Specifically, the federal government has identified the government’s inability to track hazmat shipments on a real-time basis as a significant security vulnerability.

In 2004, the U.S. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) completed a study to determine if “smart truck” technology such as GPS tracking, wireless modems, panic buttons, and on-board computers could be …

The North American Transportation Security Center – Fedtrak Specifications And Release Plan, Steven Douglas Kreis, Michael M. Barclay

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Executive Summary

In April 2008, the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) completed work on the TSA Hazmat Truck Security Pilot (HTSP). This congressionally mandated pilot program was undertaken to prove that a hazmat truck tracking center was feasible from a technology and systems perspective. The HTSP project team built a technology prototype of a hazmat truck tracking system to show that “smart truck” technology could be crafted into an effective and efficient system for tracking hazmat shipments. The HTSP project team also built the Universal Communications Interface – the XML gateway for hazmat carriers to use to provide data to …

2009 Safety Belt Usage Survey In Kentucky, Kenneth R. Agent, Eric R. Green

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The objective of this study was to establish 2009 safety belt and child safety seat usage rates in Kentucky. The 2009 survey continues to document the results after enactment of the original “secondary enforcement” statewide mandatory safety belt law in 1994 and the subsequent change to “primary enforcement” which was enacted in 2006. Data were collected at 160 randomly selected sites in 18 counties across Kentucky. Data from the individual sites were combined into a statewide percentage considering roadway functional classification, county, and vehicle miles traveled.

The data show that the usage rate in 2009 (79.7 percent) increased several percentage …

Visibility, Perception And Roundabout Safety, Antonio Pratelli, Reginald R. Souleyrette

Reginald R. Souleyrette

In Italy, over the past fifteen years, modern, or second generation roundabouts have become very popular. On these roundabouts, entering vehicles must yield to vehicles already within the circle. This modern design provides for much higher capacity of operation. Although first implemented in the UK in the 1960s, it took twenty years for the second generation to begin to spread to other European countries. Between 1987 and 2002, in particular, Germany, France and Switzerland conducted research that led to standards techniques that, along with English ones, now comprise the major technical references. The causes of the delay in implementation are …

Best Practices For Providing Traveler Information Services To Motorists At Rest Areas And Welcome Centers, Candice Y. Wallace, Jennifer R. Walton, Joseph D. Crabtree

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The objective of this study was to look at what Kentucky and other states are doing to provide wireless Internet connectivity (i.e., Wi-Fi service) for motorists at rest areas, weigh stations, and truck rest havens, and to identify technologies and best practices that may have applicability to Kentucky. A secondary objective was to look at the use of kiosks to provide traveler information in rest areas and welcome centers. Information was gathered through a literature review, Internet searches, and telephone interviews with public officials in numerous states. The study identified 18 states that are providing (or have provided) Wi-Fi service …

The North American Transportation Security Center – Deploy Project Collaboration Hardware/Software Infrastructure, Steven Douglas Kreis, Michael M. Barclay

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

No abstract provided.

Best Management Practices To Exchange Information Between The Toc And District Offices, Jennifer R. Walton, Kenneth R. Agent

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The objective of this study was to develop best management practices for exchange of information between the Transportation Operations Center (TOC) and the district offices and regional traffic management centers. Data collected for this study included: meetings with the Study Advisory Committee and key personnel within the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet at the central office and highway district offices; a literature review; a state website review; and telephone interviews with representatives from a few states.

Recommendations were made in the following general areas: use of CARS/511; communication between the TOC and district offices; SAFE patrol; ITS equipment; public information; incident management; …

Local Head Loss Of Non-Coaxial Emitters Inserted In Polyethylene Pipe, Osvaldo Rettore Neto, Jarbas Honorio De Miranda, José Antonio Frizzone, Stephen R. Workman

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

The design of a lateral line for drip irrigation requires accurate evaluation of head losses in not only the pipe but in the emitters as well. A procedure was developed to determine localized head losses within the emitters by the formulation of a mathematical model that accounts for the obstruction caused by the insertion point. These localized losses can be significant when compared with the total head losses within the system due to the large number of emitters typically installed along the lateral line. An experiment was carried out by altering flow characteristics to create Reynolds numbers (R) from 7,480 …

Highway-Railway At-Grade Crossings: Trackbed And Surface Pressure Measurements And Assessments, Jerry G. Rose, Daniel M. Durrett, Lindsay A. Walker, Jason C. Stith

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Techniques are described for installing instrumentation within highway/railway crossings – to measure vertical pressures under moving highway and railway loadings – using earth pressure cells. Also, techniques are described for installing instrumentation between rail base/tie plate interfaces – to measure vertical pressures under moving railway loadings – using pressure sensitive ink sensors. In addition, the sensors were used to measure the surface pressures imparted by highway vehicles on crossing surfaces. Data is presented for several crossings including a wide variety of conditions and loading intensities. The data serves to quantify pressure gradients within highway/railway crossings for application to structural design …

Highway-Railway At-Grade Crossings: Rideability Measurements And Assessments, Jerry G. Rose, Thomas W. Witt, Aaron F. Renfro, Nathan E. Ridgeway

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This report provides two analyses for obtaining a quantitative means of rating the condition of railroad‐highway at‐grade crossings based on their measured roughness. Phase One of this report examined 11 crossings in the Lexington area by use of a laser based inertial profiler from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) and a Face Rolling Dipstick. Phase Two was a continuation of Phase One with 26 crossings examined using inertial profilers from both the KYTC and the National Center of Asphalt technology. Objective ratings based on rideability were obtained and wheelpath profiles were measured for each crossing. Several roughness indexes were computed …

The North American Transportation Security Center – Technology Prototype Gap Analysis, Steven Douglas Kreis, Michael M. Barclay

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Executive Summary

There are over 800,000 hazardous materials (hazmat) shipments over the nation’s roads each day. According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), terrorist activity related to the transportation of hazardous materials represents a significant threat to public safety and the nation’s critical infrastructure. Specifically, the federal government has identified the government’s inability to track hazmat shipments on a real-time basis as a significant security vulnerability.

In 2004, the U.S. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) completed a study to determine if “smart truck” technology such as GPS tracking, wireless modems, panic buttons, and onboard computers could be …

Highway-Railway At-Grade Crossing Structures: Optimum Design/Installation Practices And Management Program – An Overview, Jerry G. Rose

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Replacing and rehabilitating highway-railway at-grade crossings represent major track maintenance expenses for the U.S. highway governmental agencies and railroad industry. The ideal crossing system is one that will maintain a smooth surface and stable highway/trackbed for a long period of time minimizing costly and inconvenient disruptions to highway and rail traffic.

This report describes the consensus goals for, and the development of, a cooperative, fast-track crossing renewal system for an ideal highway-railway crossing management program. The performance-based process utilizes premium structural materials and construction techniques to provide long-term, cost effective, smooth, and safe crossings. Specifically stressed is the desirability of …

Highway-Railway At-Grade Crossings: Long-Term Settlement Measurements And Assessments, Jerry G. Rose, Mary G. Swiderski, Justin S. Anderson, Lindsay A. Walker

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The purpose of this research was to evaluate the long-term settlements for a wide variety of at-grade crossings. Twenty-four highway crossings were monitored to determine the effects of enhanced support on minimizing long-term settlements of the crossing surfaces. Settlements of the rail and highway approaches to the crossing areas were compared to settlements of the common crossing areas over an average service period of three years. Long-term settlements of crossings with traditional all-granular support materials were compared to crossings with enhanced support. The enhanced support was provided by substituting a layer of asphalt (termed underlayment) for the all-granular subballast layer. …

Vehicle Tire-Pavement Interfacial Surface Pressure Measurements And Assessments, Jerry G. Rose, Timothy E. Guenther

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This report examines a method of using Piezoelectric Pressure-Sensitive Ink (Tekscan) Pressure Measurement System to evaluate vehicle tire pressures that are exerted on the surface of pavements. Upgrades to the Tekscan system facilitated refinements from previous research and allows for procedures to be modified in order to account for these improvements. Among the most significant advances is the ability to select various sensitivities within the software program. In addition to the methodology of evaluating calibration practices, sensitivity and sensor selection, it was important to determine how accurately the pressures and wheel loads can be computed from pavement tests. Also examined …

Evaluation Of The Use Of Snowplowable Raised Pavement Markers, Kenneth R. Agent, Eric R. Green

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and durability of snowplowable raised pavement markers (RPM) installed on the RPM system in Kentucky. The durability evaluation dealt with the marker housing.

The data show that continued use of the currently approved snowplowable RPM can be justified if the castings are properly installed on new pavements with a commitment that the pavement will be maintained. An evaluation of centerline rumble strips installations showed that they should be considered on rural, two-lane roads with 12-foot lane widths (having new pavements) and paved shoulders.

Carbon Nanotube Membranes For Use In The Transdermal Treatment Of Nicotine Addiction And Opioid Withdrawal Symptoms, Caroline L. Strasinger, Nicole N. Scheff, Ji Wu, Bruce J. Hinds, Audra L. Stinchcomb

Pharmaceutical Sciences Faculty Publications

Transdermal systems are attractive methods of drug administration specifically when treating patients for drug addiction. Current systems however are deficient in therapies that allow variable flux values of drug, such as nicotine for smoking cessation or complex dosing regimens using clonidine when treating opioid withdrawal symptoms. Through the use of functionalized carbon nanotube (CNT) membranes, drug delivery to the skin can be controlled by applying a small electrical bias to create a programmable drug delivery system. Clearly, a transdermal patch system that can be tailored to an individual's needs will increase patient compliance as well as provide much more efficient …

Continuous Production Of Aligned Carbon Nanotubes, David N. Jacques, Rodney Andrews

Center for Applied Energy Research Faculty Patents

An apparatus for continuous production of aligned carbon nanotubes is disclosed. The apparatus includes a reactor, an injector for delivering a feed solution into the reactor, and a conveyor for passing through the reactor a substrate on which nanotubes may be formed and grown. The apparatus further may include an inert, porous medium through which the feed solution may be passed. The apparatus produces aligned carbon nanotubes of a predetermined external diameter, and is suitable for large scale production of aligned carbon nanotubes in an industrial setting.

Poster Session, Kentucky Water Resources Research Institute, University Of Kentucky

Kentucky Water Resources Annual Symposium

• Kentucky Agriculture Water Quality Act Web Tool, Amanda Gumbert, UK Cooperative Extension Service
• Cane Run Watershed Council – An Adventure in Watershed Involvement, Amanda Gumbert, UK Cooperative Extension Service
• Preliminary Comparison of Nutrient and Total Suspended Sediment Data on Water Samples Collected using Teledyne Portable Autosampler and EPA Field Methods for Wadeable Streams, Susan Brown, April Haight and others, Institute for Regional Analysis and Public Policy, Morehead State University
• Groundwater Protection Plans, Patricia Keefe, Kentucky Division of Water
• Use of Geophysical Techniques to Locate a Karst Conduit in the Cane Run – Royal Spring Basin, Kentucky …