Engineering Commons^™

2d Gaussian Object Motion Detection, Miguel Angel Chaidez

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Dr. John Moya, and associated research assistants, have previously created an image-change recognition algorithm (JESSE) to mark changes within an image. The focus of this thesis is to present a physical application and modification of this algorithm in order to detect a surgeon's hand and verify chip placement on a printed circuit board.

There are different techniques in implementing visual recognition and motion detection with smart systems but the high cost and complicated calibration of these systems make them impractical. The goal was to create a system that is simple, inexpensive and applicable to multiple applications that will allow the …

Experimental And Numerical Investigation Of The Effect Of Fuel Composition On Flame Stability On A Gas Turbine Combustor, Gilberto Corona

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Gas turbines are used for power generation and aviation all over the world. Fossil fuels remain the main source of energy for the operation of gas turbines but the recent increase in environmental awareness has influenced government agencies to impose stringent limits on pollutant emissions from power generation plants. Pollutant emissions control is one of the major challenges for gas turbine designers. In this study, experimental methods and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) technologies are used to study the problems that arise when coal derived fuels are used in Gas Turbine Combustors.

Gas turbine designers need both experimental data and combustion …

Aerosol Characterizaton In El Paso-Juarez Airshed Using Optical Methods, Angel E. Esparza

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

The assessment and characterization of atmospheric aerosols and their optical properties are of great significance for several applications such as air pollution studies, atmospheric visibility, remote sensing of the atmosphere, and impacts on climate change. Decades ago, the interest in atmospheric aerosols was primarily for visibility impairment problems; however, recently interest has intensified with efforts to quantify the optical properties of aerosols, especially because of the uncertainties surrounding the role of aerosols in climate change. The main objective of the optical characterization of aerosols is to understand their properties. These properties are determined by the aerosols' chemical composition, size, shape …

Assessment And Evaluation Of Peripheral Neuropathy From Diabetic Mellitus Using Systems Analysis Approach, Oscar Alonso Espino

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Currently in America 1 out of every 10 residents suffers from diabetes, and this tendency is likely to grow up to "1 of every 3" by the year [6]. Diabetes exhibits several complications. In 2005, the lead cause of stroke and heart disease was diabetes, 68% of the cases [1]. In 2008, 44% of kidney failure was associated with diabetes [1]. 60 to 70 % of cases of diabetes have a mild to severe nervous system damage [1]. Diabetic patients who have developed peripheral neuropathy tend to also develop foot ulceration. In an advanced stage a foot ulcer can lead …

Investigation On Flame Characteristics Of Oxy-Fuel Combustion, Md R. Islam

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Oxy-fuel combustion is currently being considered by the U.S Department of Energy as a promising technology for efficient carbon capture. This technology could substantially reduce NOx and CO2 emissions. In addition, the implementation of oxy-fuel combustion technology in a power generation system could potentially reduce negative environmental impacts of fossil fuel use. It also encourages the use of reliable and domestic energy sources. The U.S. Department of Energy has made efforts to investigate the performance of a CO2 and H2O diluted oxy-fuel combustion system in a high-pressure combustor. In an effort to better understand and characterize the fundamental flame characteristics …

Fractal-Cosysmo Systems Engineering Cost Estimation For Complex Projects, Manish Shivram Khadtare

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Cost estimation for engineering projects has advanced beyond the bottom-up counting of costs and the top-down use of analogies. Parametric cost estimation is now employed to estimate volatile software costs, as well as the cost of Systems Engineering (SE) effort in engineering projects. The Constructive Systems Engineering Cost Model (COSYSMO) estimates the number of Person-Months (PM) necessary to complete systems engineering projects by using project size and cost parameters. On re-examining the nature of systems engineering and the structures of complex projects that must be built in an orderly fashion on a variety of scales, it is apparent that a …

Determination Of Critical Parameters For Solar Probe Plus Shielding, Sergio Rafael Mendez

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

A methodology to determine critical design parameters such as critical "design" particle size, and critical "design" impact speed for the shielding of the Solar Probe Plus spacecraft was developed in this thesis. Several critical components and surfaces of the spacecraft such as the Solar Array North, the Thermal Protection System, and the ISIS Instruments were analyzed in this study. The methodology determines the critical "design" particle size based on the required reliability or probability of no impact. Current NASA methods do not provide means to calculate critical "design" impact speeds for missions such as Solar Probe Plus, where the distributions …

Psychophysical Similarity Based Feature Selection For Nodule Retrieval In Ct, Ravi K. Samala

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

The emerging paradigms in cancer research indicate the need for a multi-perspective and multi-modal screening approach for early lung cancer diagnosis to increase the probability of clinical resection. Currently no standalone screening methodology is proved to suffice for a clinical diagnosis. Computed tomography has been proved to present abnormality at an early stage with less impact on survival rate in population studies. Nevertheless, because of its non-invasive characteristic, it can be used for diagnosis, prognosis and visualization of tumor. Studies have shown that Computer aided diagnosis (CAD) as a second reader can perform in a similar capacity as a radiologist. …

Effect Of Process Parameter On Temperature Distribution, Microstructure, And Mechanical Properties Of Self-Reacting Friction Stir Welded Aluminum Alloy 6061-T651, Monica Adriana Torres

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Self-reacting friction stir welding is the latest FSW tool configuration developed, it employs two shoulders--one on top and one on the bottom of the workpiece-- this tool configuration offers many advantages over conventional welding techniques. However, the current lack of information and specifications limits its understanding and application. This investigation analyzed the effect of process parameters on temperature distribution, microstructure evolution, and final mechanical properties of 6061-T651 SR-FS welds. A factorial experiment was carried out, in which three-process parameters were analyzed--rotational speed, travel speed, and tool plunge force-- three levels were analyzed for each parameter, except for a tool plunge …

Fabrication And Characterization Of Nanocrystalline Yttrium Oxide Thin Films For Electronic Device Applications, Mudavakkat Vikas Haridas

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

This thesis presents the optimization of growth conditions for fabricating nanocrystalline Yttrium Oxide (Y2O3) thin films on silicon and optical grade, high quality quartz substrates in order to study its structural, optical and electrical properties for electronic device applications.

Commercially Y2O3 has proven to be difficult to fabricate at high quality due to its high temperature growth requirements and the need to alter established fabrication methods for electronic devices. A high temperature requirement for high quality poses a problem for research and analysis. This calls upon for an optimization of the growth conditions to facilitate fabrication of thin films for …

Development Of A New Mix Design Method And Specification Requirements For Asphalt Treated Bases, Hector Antonio Hernandez

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Asphalt stabilized bases in Texas are usually designed and constructed as per Item 292, "Asphalt Treatment (Plant Mixed)," of the 2004 Standard Specification book. This specification is a hybrid of base and hot mix asphalt concrete procedures and requirements, which are sometimes incompatible. In addition, this Item uses a specific Texas Gyratory compactor that is not readily available to all districts. Some districts have started using test method Tex-204-F, Part III, `Mix Design for Large Stone Mixtures Using the Superpave Gyratory Compactor." However, this procedure was originally developed to design Type A and Type B hot mix at 96% density …

Oxidation Of Zrb2-Tic-Y2o3 At 1700c, Brenda Mota

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

The oxidation of plasma-sintered ZrB2-TiC-Y2O3 samples in air and a CO/N2 atmosphere has been investigated at 1973 K. The TiC was added to develop a TiO2 similar to a SiO2 layer, which has been an effective diffusional layer for the ZrB2-SiO2 system. Yttria was added to determine whether sufficient stabilization of the tetragonal-ZrO2 (t-ZrO2) could occur to minimize the monoclinic-ZrO2 transformation, which causes susceptibility to thermal shock of any ZrO2 containing composite.

The oxidized samples developed an outer layer of TiO2-B2O3 liquid acting as a sealant but with significant voidage as a result of B2O3 vaporization. Cracking initiated on the …

Bioprinting Oxygen Releasing Microparticles For Improved Cell Tissue Viability, Daniel Reyna

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

A major challenge in regenerative medicine/tissue engineering is the difficulty of providing adequate oxygen to all cells within implanted engineered tissues before full vascularization is achieved. To overcome this limitation, a variety of oxygen-releasing particles have been developed to improve cell and tissue survival. However, most of these particles are used in random mixtures within scaffolding materials, which usually leads to an uneven distribution of oxygen in bioengineered tissues. An ideal oxygen supply requires a precise depositing control of oxygen-releasing particles in scaffolds. Cell bioprinting is a novel tissue fabrication approach, in which the bio-printer can be programmed to deposit …

Software And Hardware Techniques To Aid In Automating And Troubleshooting Hybrid Systems That Fabricate Three-Dimensional Electronics, Mohammed Alawneh

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Various issues in automating the fabrication of three dimensional electronics were addressed in this thesis. The three dimensional electronics were fabricated by a stereolithoraphy and direct print hybrid system. Hardware and software limitations were discussed and possible solutions were implemented. Various automation software tools were developed, specifically a computer aided design to printed electronics conversion software compatible with various stages.

Automated Detection Of Dust Clouds, Sources, And Direction From Noaa-Avhrr Satellite Imagery, Mohammed Qassim Alkhatib

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

This research is mainly focused on automatically locating dust sources and estimating their transport direction in NOAA-AVHRR images. Applications of AVHRR images may include agricultural assessment, producing maps of large area, and to retrieve various geophysical parameters. The AVHRR simultaneously records five bands of data, in our research, we focused on bands four and five since these wavelengths highlight the absorption and subsequent emission of thermal radiation by the silicate particles in the dust storms.

In this research, we propose a new method to detect dust clouds on satellite images. The approach we propose involves the use of an image …

Combustion Of Lunar Regolith Mixed With Energetic Additives: Thermodynamic Calculations And Experimental Studies, Francisco Alvarez

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

The future of space exploration will require longer missions in order to better understand the conditions of near-Earth celestial objects, like the Moon or Mars. Future space missions will require the development of goods, such as propulsion fuel and structural materials, produced using the extraterrestrial resources available. The area that develops these technologies is called In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU). ISRU allows reducing the payload, and as a consequence reduces the energy consumption and cost of space travel. The production of structural materials on the Moon can be accomplished using Self-Propagating High-Temperature Synthesis (SHS). This work describes the combination of ISRU …

Adaptation Of Low Impact Design To The Desert Southwest, Abubaker Ali Alamailes

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

A low Impact Development (LID) practices were used to design an Integrated Management Practices (IMP) system for a residential lot .The design was adapted to the Desert Southwest region based on twenty years of climate data including precipitation and temperature for three representative cities: El Paso, TX, Albuquerque, NM, and Phoenix, AZ. In order to capture stormwater runoff close to its source and to provide as much stored water as possible for plants, LID practices including bioretention cells and vegetated swales were applied throughout the lawn. The purpose of the design is to maintain the pre-development hydrologic characteristics of the …

Implications Of Surface Runoff Recharge In Semi-Arid Regions On Groundwater Sustainability, Omar M. Al-Qudah

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Amargosa Desert, Nevada regional groundwater studies show that the surface runoff infiltration occurring in the arroyos following runoff producing storms, and this infiltration is considered to be a major source of groundwater recharge. Groundwater infiltration through alluvium was investigated in the Amargosa Desert using borehole drill cuttings, groundwater chemistry, and applying a novel method for collecting runoff water. The sampling process included sediment, precipitation, and runoff water. In total, 176 runoff, 182 sediment, and 45 precipitation samples were collected between January, 2009 and January, 2011.Water chemistry, chloride concentrations, and stable isotopes of water collected from specially designed runoff samplers, placed …

Effects Of The Usage Of Parallel Hardware Architectures In The Simulation Of Artificial Neural Networks Training Process, Carlos Beas

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Long training times and non-ideal performance have been a big impediment in further continuing the use of Artificial Neural Networks for real world applications. Current research is currently focused on two areas of study that aim to address this problem. The first approach seeks to overcome large training times by devising faster learning algorithms where a set of interconnection weights for which the network produces negligible error takes a less amount of computation to find [Sun98]. The second approach aims to address the impediment by implementing existing training algorithms but on parallel hardware architectures.

While both approaches provide promising advances …

Separation Of Humic Matter From Groundwater Via Anion Exchange Resin: Comparison Of Bead And Powder Form, Sandra June Everett

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

This work describes a comparison of a bead and powder form of anion exchange resin for removing humic matter from groundwater. The materials and procedures described herein involve a manufactured dry humic matter and two forms of the same anion exchange resin. Spectroscopy was the chosen procedure for analysis of organics.

Preliminary experiments were required to gain a better understanding of the materials and to prepare the best conditions for actual experimental research. Five concentrations of humic acid were used for experimental purposes at 0.5, 1, 5, 10 and 20 mg/L. Three concentrations of resin were used: 500, 750 and …

Development Of A Heat Transfer Test Rig For Finding Heat Transfer Characteristics Of Liquid Methane, Sergio Flores

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Most large scale rocket engines use a regeneratively cooled system to cool the rocket engine using either the rocket fuel or oxidizer. The use of liquid methane as a rocket fuel is an emerging technology proving to have several advantages over current rocket fuels. However, liquid methane is lacking the extensive research as a rocket fuel compared to highly used rocket fuels like liquid hydrogen. A heat transfer test rig was built with the goal to characterize the heat transfer characteristics of liquid methane as it passes through a heated channel. The development of the test rig underwent considerations designed …

On Feasibility Of Reducing Metal Fuel Content And Operating Temperatures In Chemical Oxygen Generators, Allen Garcia

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Chemical oxygen generators are widely used in aircraft, submarines, spacecraft, and other applications, problems such as combustion instabilities and a risk of fire may be present. For example, due to malfunction of an oxygen generator, fire occurred onboard the Mir Space Station in 1997. It is thus important to improve the process stability and fire safety of chemical oxygen generators. Chemical compositions for oxygen generators include an oxygen source such as sodium chlorate (NaClO3), a transition metal oxide as a catalyst, and a metal fuel to provide energy for self-sustaining combustion. Eliminating or decreasing the metal fuel would decrease the …

Experimental Study Of Thermoelectric Properties For Randomly Distributed Carbon Nanotubes And Silicon Carbide Nanoparticles, Onasis Garcia

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

In this experimental study, the thermoelectric (TE) properties of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and Silicon carbide (SiC) nanoparticles have been investigated. Nanoparticles were randomly disrtibuted on a non-conductive glass or quartz substrate. The carbon nanotubes used were single-walled and multi-walled type, consisting of approximately 60% semiconducting 40% metallic tubes. The experimental design is analogous to that of a thermocouple measurement, with the nanoparticle layers creating hot and cold joints with a dissimilar metal Alumel (Ni-Al). Voltage (mV), current (μA) and resistance (Ω) values were measured with respect to temperature (°C), and Seeback coefficient values were also calculated in parallel. Summarized results …

Fundamental Studies Of Co-Base Superalloy Biomedical Prototypes Fabricated By Electron Beam Melting: Microstructures And Microstructural Architecture, Sara M. Gaytan

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Rapid prototyping, especially electron beam melting (EBM) technology by ARCAM have proven to provide outstanding microstructural and mechanical properties on different alloys fabricated by this technology. Being a computer designed driven technology, complex components, that are hard or even impossible to fabricate by traditional manufacturing techniques, can be fabricated by layer-by-layer EBM technology.

Microstructural and mechanical properties are compared for an EBM femoral knee component prototype with a traditionally-fabricated and body-removed femoral knee implant. Block and cylindrical shape components fabricated by EBM were also analyzed for this project. The alloy utilized for these components is Co-26Cr-6Mo-0.2C characterized by the standards …

Enterprise Transformation Through A Zachman-Bayesian Framework To Improve Efficiency & Productivity, Ramakanth Gona

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Although organizations are aware of the benefits of enterprise architectures models, organizations have difficulties determining deficiencies in their business architecture. Organizational assessment tools often do not achieve expectations as sold to management. Performance measures often fail to properly represent necessary holistic measurements. Methods for capturing deficiencies in current business models and deterring improvements to optimize business processes are rare. This thesis develops a new experimental architecture modeling approach for enterprise transformations. The approach is efficient in capturing deficiencies and finding correlations which can become targeted goals for improvements. The Zachman enterprise architecture framework provides a holistic view of organizational models …

Variation Of Number And Mass Concentration Of Particulate Matter At The International Bridge Of The Americas In El Paso, Texas, Veronica Guerrero

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Particle mass and number concentration measurements during different seasonal periods were conducted to study the effects caused by both privately own vehicles (POV) and commercial operated vehicles at the International Bridge of the Americas (BOTA), El Paso, Texas. There were two monitoring sites: UTEP air quality mobile monitoring site at the El Paso Water Utility (EPWU) located at the Chamizal National Memorial Park (CNMP) near the bridge. At this location measurements of traffic counts, size distribution, particle number and mass concentration PM"₁₀" (EP"₁₀"; El Paso PM"₁₀") and PM"_2.5" (EP"_2.5"; El …

A Combined X-Fem And Level Set Approach For Modeling Composite Material's Micro Structure, Himanshu Kumar

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Composite materials are usually made of fibers and binding matrix. It's always a challenge to model composite materials' microstructure through the traditional finite element method because construction of an approximation space which is discontinuous across a given line or surface will place strict restrictions on the FE mesh. The interfacing of fibers in composites' microstructure through the standard finite element method is irksome and tedious because the presence of fiber presents a discontinuity in the binding material. In this present work, the composite's microstructure is modeled through the combined approach of Level Set and Extended Finite Element Method. The fiber …

Ballistic Projectile Metallurgical Issues And Fundamentals: Aerosol Production In Rod Penetration Erosion And Erosion Phenomena Associated With Railgun Development, Brenda Ivette Machado

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

The issue is derived from ballistic erosion as it relates to nanoparticle production and respiration of these particles as a health concern ballistic erosion and ballistic erosion as it relates to railgun performance. A common thread between these two issues is dynamic recrystallization (DRX). DRX has been demonstrated to be the dominant mechanism for solid-state flow associated with ballistic projectile/target penetration and interaction, friction-stir welding phenomena, and other high-strain rate deformation phenomena.

Aerosol particulates collected on filters from ballistic penetration and erosion events for W-Ni-Co and W-Ni-Fe kinetic energy rod projectiles penetrating steel target plates were observed to be highly …

Accelerated Simulation And Testing Of Integrated Circuits Using High Performance Computing Machines, Matthew C. Markulik

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

As Moore's Law continues to hold true and transistor density becomes exponentially larger the need to rely on computer aided design (CAD) simulators has become more relevant and necessary. As we dive into the age of electronic reliance there presents a need to constantly improve methods to reduce time-to-solution for developing technologies. The reliance on CAD simulators for electronic development leaves engineers with an ability to improve the design process by improving these simulators or improving the methods in which these simulators are being utilized. With the advancement of quality fabrication processes and the ability to operate at sub-threshold levels …

Solving The Partial Differential Equation Of Vibrations With Interval Parameters Using The Interval Finite Difference Method, Brenda G. Medina

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Accuracy and efficiency are among the main factors that drive today's innovative disciplines. As technology rapidly advances, efficiency takes on new meanings but what about accuracy? How accurate is accurate? Human error, uncertainties in measurement, and rounding errors are just some causes of inaccuracy. Interval Computations is an area that allows for such issues to be taken into account; for each measurement attained (for example), an interval can be built by considering the error associated with the measurement, and such an interval can be utilized in the mathematical computations of interest.

We consider the partial differential equation (PDE) of vibrations …