Engineering Commons^™

Method For Removing Co2 From Coal-Fired Power Plant Flue Gas Using Ammonia As The Scrubbing Solution, With A Chemical Additive For Reducing Nh3 Losses, Coupled With A Membrane For Concentrating The Co2 Stream To The Gas Stripper, Kunlei Liu, James K. Neathery, Joseph E. Remias, Xiansen Li

Center for Applied Energy Research Faculty Patents

A method for removing and capturing carbon dioxide from a fluid stream includes the steps of exposing the fluid stream to an aqueous scrubbing solution that removes and holds carbon dioxide from the fluid stream, passing the aqueous scrubbing solution through a membrane in order to separate excess water from the scrubbing solution and increase the concentration of carbon dioxide in the scrubbing solution, heating the scrubbing solution having an increased concentration of carbon dioxide so as to release carbon dioxide gas and recycling the scrubbing solution. A carbon dioxide capture apparatus includes a carbon dioxide scrubber, a membrane downstream …

"Apps"—An Innovative Way To Share Extension Knowledge, Joseph S. Dvorak, Tanya C. Franke-Dvorak, Randy R. Price

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

Extension professionals across the country are continuously seeking innovative ways to reach clientele and to disseminate timely, educational information. A new avenue to reach clientele includes the use of smartphone "apps." The "Machinery Sizing" app, which was developed to ease the estimation of tractor horsepower to implement sizing for Extension clientele anytime, anywhere, is explained as a key example for Extension professionals to utilize apps in disseminating information to clientele. There are many benefits to using apps, including information availability wherever Internet service is available on the smartphone, ease of computations of equations, and automatic updates being sent to users.

Incorporation Of Catalytic Dehydrogenation Into Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis To Significantly Reduce Carbon Dioxide Emissions, Gerald P. Huffman

Chemical and Materials Engineering Faculty Patents

A new method of producing liquid transportation fuels from coal and other hydrocarbons that significantly reduces carbon dioxide emissions by combining Fischer-Tropsch synthesis with catalytic dehydrogenation is claimed. Catalytic dehydrogenation (CDH) of the gaseous products (C1-C4) of Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS) can produce large quantities of hydrogen while converting the carbon to multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT). Incorporation of CDH into a FTS-CDH plant converting coal to liquid fuels can eliminate all or most of the CO₂ emissions from the water-gas shift (WGS) reaction that is currently used to elevate the H₂ level of coal-derived syngas for FTS. Additionally, the …

Load-Relaxation Properties Of The Human Trunk In Response To Prolonged Flexion: Measuring And Modeling The Effect Of Flexion Angle, Nima Toosizadeh, Maury A. Nussbaum, Babak Bazrgari, Michael L. Madigan

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Publications

Experimental studies suggest that prolonged trunk flexion reduces passive support of the spine. To understand alterations of the synergy between active and passive tissues following such loadings, several studies have assessed the time-dependent behavior of passive tissues including those within spinal motion segments and muscles. Yet, there remain limitations regarding load-relaxation of the lumbar spine in response to flexion exposures and the influence of different flexion angles. Ten healthy participants were exposed for 16 min to each of five magnitudes of lumbar flexion specified relative to individual flexion-relaxation angles (i.e., 30, 40, 60, 80, and 100%), during which lumbar flexion …

Noninvasive Optical Characterization Of Muscle Blood Flow, Oxygenation, And Metabolism In Women With Fibromyalgia, Yu Shang, Katelyn Gurley, Brock Symons, Douglas Long, Ratchakrit Srikuea, Leslie J. Crofford, Charlotte A. Peterson, Guoqiang Yu

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Publications

INTRODUCTION: Women with fibromyalgia (FM) have symptoms of increased muscular fatigue and reduced exercise tolerance, which may be associated with alterations in muscle microcirculation and oxygen metabolism. This study used near-infrared diffuse optical spectroscopies to noninvasively evaluate muscle blood flow, blood oxygenation and oxygen metabolism during leg fatiguing exercise and during arm arterial cuff occlusion in post-menopausal women with and without FM.

METHODS: Fourteen women with FM and twenty-three well-matched healthy controls participated in this study. For the fatiguing exercise protocol, the subject was instructed to perform 6 sets of 12 isometric contractions of knee extensor muscles with intensity steadily …

Development And Deployment Of Aluminum Bridge Decks, Ching Chiaw Choo, Abheetha Peiris, Issam E. Harik

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This report contains the analysis and retrofit of a steel truss bridge on KY 974 over Howard Creek in Clark County, Kentucky. The bridge had major corrosion and damage to the steel stringers, along with cracking and leaching occurring in the concrete bridge deck. The retrofit involves the replacement of the corroded steel stringers and the damaged concrete bridge deck. The original concrete deck was removed and replaced by light-weight high-strength aluminum deck panels. The aluminum deck panels, each 2-m wide, were assembled at the site and connected to each other and to the bottom steel stringers using special clamps …

Tools For Applying Constructability Concepts To Project Development (Design), Nikiforos Stamatiadis, Paul Goodrum, Emily Shocklee, Chen Wang

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The purpose of this report is to document the activities of Phase I of the research effort and present the development of the Constructability Review Database developed for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. The database provides the basis for entry and collection of constructability reviews and allows for the identification of trends leading to potential improvements of the process. The database can be used to summarize activities, generate reports for a project, and be capable of quantifying the benefits from the process.

Fluorescing Coatings For Improved Inspection During Bridge Maintenance Painting, Bobby W. Meade, Theodore Hopwood Ii, Sudhir Palle

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Optically active pigments (OAPs) fluoresce under light exposures with wavelengths (nm) producing emissions in the visible spectra (380 to 740 nm). They are used as paint pigments to aid visual inspection of applied coatings for defects such as pin-holing and incomplete coverage. OAP coatings are widely used in various industries outside of bridge maintenance painting.

This study addressed the laboratory evaluation and field trial of an OAP coating for KYTC bridges. OAP coatings were evaluated for inspectability and accelerated weathering performance in a laboratory test program. After successful laboratory performance, OAP coatings were specified for a KYTC bridge painting project …

New Coatings For Bridges (Over-Coat Systems), Sudhir Palle, Theodore Hopwood Ii, Bobby W. Meade

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

KYTC sought to identify new coatings technologies consistent with overcoating that offer enhancements in terms of ease of application and performance. KYTC contacted paint manufacturers to obtain sample coating systems for characterization by the KYTC Division of Materials and accelerated performance testing by Kentucky Transportation Center (KTC). A total of 14 coating systems from five manufacturers underwent performance testing according to ASTM D5894.

Rat Brain Pro-Oxidant Effects Of Peripherally Administered 5 Nm Ceria 30 Days After Exposure, Sarita S. Hardas, Rukhsana Sultana, Govind Warrier, Mo Dan, Rebecca L. Florence, Peng Wu, Eric A. Grulke, Michael T. Tseng, Jason M. Unrine, Uschi M. Graham, Robert A. Yokel, D. Allan Butterfield

Chemistry Faculty Publications

The objective of this study was to determine the residual pro-or anti-oxidant effects in rat brain 30 days after systemic administration of a 5 nm citrate-stabilized ceria dispersion. A ∼4% aqueous ceria dispersion was iv-infused (0 or 85 mg/kg) into rats which were terminated 30 days later. Ceria concentration, localization, and chemical speciation in the brain was assessed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), light and electron microscopy (EM), and electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS), respectively. Pro- or anti-oxidant effects were evaluated by measuring levels of protein carbonyls (PC), 3-nitrotyrosine (3NT), and protein-bound-4-hydroxy-2-trans-nonenal (HNE) in the hippocampus, cortex, and …

Incorporation Of Catalytic Dehydrogenation Into Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis To Lower Carbon Dioxide Emissions, Gerald P. Huffman

Chemical and Materials Engineering Faculty Patents

A method for producing liquid fuels includes the steps of gasifying a starting material selected from a group consisting of coal, biomass, carbon nanotubes and mixtures thereof to produce a syngas, subjecting that syngas to Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS) to produce a hyrdrocarbon product stream, separating that hydrocarbon product stream into C1-C4 hydrocarbons and C5+ hydrocarbons to be used as liquid fuels and subjecting the C1-C4 hydrocarbons to catalytic dehydrogenation (CDH) to produce hydrogen and carbon nanotubes. The hydrogen produced by CDH is recycled to be mixed with the syngas incident to the FTS reactor in order to raise the hydrogen …

Characterizing Physical Properties Of Gas-Phase Biofilter Media, Guilherme Del Nero Maia, G. Tatiana Sales, George B. Day V, Richard S. Gates, Joseph L. Taraba

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

Gas-phase biofiltration is an effective technology for reduction of odors and trace-gas contaminants. Significant contributions to the technical literature regarding the characterization of biofilter media have been generated in the past two decades. Nevertheless, the information produced has not been systematically organized. The objective of this study is to demonstrate and document methods for physical characterization of gas-phase compost biofilters (GPCB). The inclusion of moisture content, compaction, and particle size effects in the determination of media bulk density and porosity, field capacity, drying rate analysis, water sorption isotherms, and resistance to airflow is demonstrated. Results indicated that: (1) higher moisture …

Analysis Of Traffic Crash Data In Kentucky (2007-2011), 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 2007 through 2011. 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.

Fluid Scrubber And Spray Booth Including The Fluid Scrubber, Abraham J. Salazar

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Patents

A wet scrubber for scrubbing a fluid. The wet scrubber may include an inlet for receiving the fluid and a vortex chamber, in communication with the inlet, for causing at least a portion of the fluid to circulate. The wet scrubber may also include at least one diffuser for exhausting the fluid from the vortex chamber, the diffuser configured to substantially prevent fluid exhausted from the diffuser from recirculating back into the diffuser. A paint booth and a method of scrubbing a fluid are also provided.

Ultrastable Synergistic Tetravalent Rna Nanoparticles For Targeting To Cancers, Farzin Haque, Dan Shu, Yi Shu, Luda S. Shlyakhtenko, Piotr G. Rychahou, B. Mark Evers, Peixuan Guo

Pharmaceutical Sciences Faculty Publications

One of the advantages of nanotechnology is the feasibility to construct therapeutic particles carrying multiple therapeutics with defined structure and stoichiometry. The field of RNA nanotechnology is emerging. However, controlled assembly of stable RNA nanoparticles with multiple functionalities which retain their original role is challenging due to refolding after fusion. Herein, we report the construction of thermodynamically stable X-shaped RNA nanoparticles to carry four therapeutic RNA motifs by self-assembly of reengineered small RNA fragments. We proved that each arm of the four helices in the X-motif can harbor one siRNA, ribozyme, or aptamer without affecting the folding of the central …

2012 Driver Attitudes And Awareness Survey, Kenneth R. Agent, Eric R. Green, Ronald E. Langley

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

A basic set of questions were developed that could be used in periodic surveys that track drivers attitudes and awareness concerning impaired driving, seat belt use, and speeding issues. The objective of the survey was to learn the knowledge, views, and behaviors of drivers in these areas. This report documents the results of the 2012 survey with comparison to the 2011 survey as well as the 2010 baseline survey.

System And Method For 3d Imaging Using Structured Light Illumination, Laurence G. Hassebrook, Daniel L. Lau, Henry G. Dietz

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Patents

A biometrics system captures and processes a handprint image using a structured light illumination to create a 2D representation equivalent of a rolled inked handprint. The biometrics system includes an enclosure with a scan volume for placement of the hand. A reference plane with a backdrop pattern forms one side of the scan volume. The backdrop pattern is preferably a random noise pattern and the coordinates of the backdrop pattern are predetermined at system provisioning. The biometrics system further includes at least one projection unit for projecting a structured light pattern onto a hand positioned in the scan volume on …

Lock And Hold Structured Light Illumination, Laurence G. Hassebrook, Daniel L. Lau, Charles J. Casey

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Patents

A method, system, and associated program code, for 3-dimensional image acquisition, using structured light illumination, of a surface-of-interest under observation by at least one camera. One aspect includes: illuminating the surface-of-interest, while static/at rest, with structured light to obtain initial depth map data therefor; while projecting a hold pattern comprised of a plurality of snake-stripes at the static surface-of-interest, assigning an identity to and an initial lock position of each of the snake-stripes of the hold pattern; and while projecting the hold pattern, tracking, from frame-to-frame each of the snake-stripes. Another aspect includes: projecting a hold pattern comprised of a …

Noninvasive Optical Quantification Of Absolute Blood Flow, Blood Oxygenation, And Oxygen Consumption Rate In Exercising Skeletal Muscle, Katelyn Gurley, Yu Shang, Guoqiang Yu

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Publications

This study investigates a method using novel hybrid diffuse optical spectroscopies [near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and diffuse correlation spectroscopy (DCS)] to obtain continuous, noninvasive measurement of absolute blood flow (BF), blood oxygenation, and oxygen consumption rate (V̇O₂) in exercising skeletal muscle. Healthy subjects (n=9) performed a handgrip exercise to increase BF and V̇O₂ in forearm flexor muscles, while a hybrid optical probe on the skin surface directly monitored oxy-, deoxy-, and total hemoglobin concentrations ([HbO₂], [Hb], and THC), tissue oxygen saturation (S_tO₂), relative BF (rBF), and relative oxygen …

2012 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 2012 safety belt and child safety seat usage rates in Kentucky. The 2012 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.

Kentucky Safety Belt Methodology, Kenneth R. Agent, Eric R. Green, Ronald Langley

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued new Uniform Criteria for State Observational Surveys of Seat Belt Use. The final rule was published in Federal Register Volume 76, Number 63. Following is a summary of the methodology Kentucky will use to comply with the criteria described in the final rule. The methodology considers the experience of the past 30 years of safety belt data collection in Kentucky along with the guidelines contained in the final rule. The new methodology will be implemented beginning with the 2013 statewide survey.

Towards Omni-Tomography -- Grand Fusion Of Multiple Modalities For Simultaneous Interior Tomography, Ge Wang, Jie Zhang, Hao Gao, Victor Weir, Hengyong Yu, Wenxiang Cong, Xiaochen Xu, Haiou Shen, James Bennett, Mark Furth, Yue Wang, Michael Vannier

Radiology Faculty Publications

We recently elevated interior tomography from its origin in computed tomography (CT) to a general tomographic principle, and proved its validity for other tomographic modalities including SPECT, MRI, and others. Here we propose "omni-tomography", a novel concept for the grand fusion of multiple tomographic modalities for simultaneous data acquisition in a region of interest (ROI). Omni-tomography can be instrumental when physiological processes under investigation are multi-dimensional, multi-scale, multi-temporal and multi-parametric. Both preclinical and clinical studies now depend on in vivo tomography, often requiring separate evaluations by different imaging modalities. Over the past decade, two approaches have been used for multimodality …

Load Transfer Assembly, Herbert F. Southgate, Kamyar C. Mahboub, Alireza Zeinali

Civil Engineering Faculty Patents

A load transfer apparatus accommodates movement between adjacent concrete slabs. The load transfer apparatus includes a spine in a form of an elongated hinge having a longitudinal axis A. A first dowel and a second dowel project radially from the spine and are located at two spaced points along said longitudinal axis A.

Systems And Methods For Detecting Defects In Coatings Utilizing Color-Based Thermal Mismatch, Richard Alloo, Kozo Saito, Belal Gharaibeh, Keng Hoo Chuah, Nelson Kudzo Akafuah, Ahmad Salaimeh

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Patents

A method of analyzing a thermal image of a coated substrate to determine the presence of defects includes determining a defect temperature range based on a color of the coated substrate and the maximum temperature of the coated substrate in the thermal image. Thereafter, the thermal image is processed by determining a signal value of a pixel of interest based on a temperature of the pixel of interest, temperatures of pixels in a kernel of pixels surrounding the pixel of interest, and the color of the coated substrate. The signal value of the pixel of interest is then compared to …

In-Situ Nanoparticle Formation In Polymer Clearcoats, Uschi M. Graham, Rajesh Khatri, Burt H. Davis

Center for Applied Energy Research Faculty Patents

Methods and compositions for forming a transparent clear coat characterized by a desired property, such as a color effect, resistance to UV light-induced degradation and/or scratch resistance, on a substrate are detailed according to embodiments of the present invention. Particular compositions and methods for producing a transparent clear coat layer include nanoparticles formed in-situ during curing of a transparent clear coat. Curable clear coat compositions are described according to embodiments of the present invention which include one or more substantially dissolved nanoparticle precursors.

Concentration Effects And Ion Properties Controlling The Fractionation Of Halides During Aerosol Formation, Marcelo I. Guzman, Richa R. Athalye, Jose M. Rodriguez

Chemistry Faculty Publications

During the aerosolization process at the sea surface, halides are incorporated into aerosol droplets, where they may play an important role in tropospheric ozone chemistry. Although this process may significantly contribute to the formation of reactive gas phase molecular halogens, little is known about the environmental factors that control how halides selectively accumulate at the air-water interface. In this study, the production of sea spray aerosol is simulated using electrospray ionization (ESI) of 100 nM equimolar solutions of NaCl, NaBr, NaI, NaNO(2), NaNO(3), NaClO(4), and NaIO(4). The microdroplets generated are analyzed by mass spectrometry to study the comparative enrichment of …

Multi-Dimensional Modeling Of Charring Ablators, Haoyue Weng, Huaibao Zhang, Ovais U. Khan, Alexandre Martin

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications

Re-entry of a spacecraft occurs at the hypersonic regime where the flow field is extremely complex: high temperature gradients occurring in the shock-layer region ionize and dissociate the air. Even if a large portion of heat generated during this process is convected away in the surrounding air, a fraction of it is still transferred to the vehicle. Therefore, it is important to protect the vehicle with a suitable kind of shielding. Of the many techniques available today, use of ablative material is gaining popularity. The basic idea behind an ablating heat shield is that the energy incident on the spacecraft …

Kentucky Department Of Vehicle Regulation Internet Applications Study, Andrew Martin, Jennifer Walton

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The study identified 107 unique interactive services, and 13 unique information services on state vehicle regulation agency web sites. The average state has roughly 15 percent of all existing services. States with larger populations, number of registered vehicles and drivers tend to have more total services and transaction services. The general flow of the data indicates a fast level of growth, as companies and individuals embrace the efficiency and flexibility of online transactions. The W3C Unicorn Validator, Link Sleuth, Web Accessibility Checker and Hubspot Marketing Grader scores were combined to generate a web design score for each state. Washington received …

Temporary Flood Barriers, Sarah M. Mccormack, Chris Vandyke, Ashley Suazo, Doug Kreis

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This report investigates the use and effectiveness of temporary flood barriers (TFBs) to mitigate the impacts of flood waters on Kentucky’s roadways. TFBs are structures, usually filled with sand, which are constructed along the edges of roadways and thus serve as a buffer against rising waters. In doing so, they can protect the structural soundness of roads, and ensure that roads remain open to traffic during flood events. The report is divided into four main sections. The first chapter introduces the concept of TFBs and notes situations in which they have been effectively deployed. The second chapter surveys the different …

Carbon Fiber Reinforced Carbon Foams For Repair And Reconstruction Of Bone Defects, Brock Holston Marrs, Rodney Andrews, Larry Cunningham Jr.

Center for Applied Energy Research Faculty Patents

The present invention relates to a tissue scaffold and a method of preparing a tissue scaffold for implantation. The tissue scaffold includes a body having a graphite foam core. At least a first portion of the external surface of that graphite foam core is covered by a composite material to provide additional mechanical strength to the scaffold.