Engineering Commons^™

Dynamics Of Suspended Sediment Flux On The Rivers Bandon And Owenabue, Ireland, S. T. Harrington, Joseph R. Harrington

Publications

Monitoring, analysis and modelling of suspended sediment transport in riverine systems has received much attention in recent decades. Quantitive analysis techniques have been applied to allow river basin managers to assess suspended sediment transport and its importance in transporting a range of pollutants including excess metals and nutrients, which negatively impact on aquatic systems. In this paper, an analysis of the suspended sediment fl ux (SSF) dynamics is presented for the small and medium sized catchments of the River Owenabue and the River Bandon, respectively. The results contribute to the fi lling of a research gap in an Irish context …

Faa Letter In Response To White House Letter Regarding Faa Changes To Air Traffic Control Specialist Hiring Process, Tim Brady, Gregory Mcguirk

Publications

On July 18, 2014, you submitted a letter to President Obama regarding the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) recent changes to the Air Traffic Control Specialist (ATCS) hiring process. You expressed concern with the FAA's decision to implement a single all sources hiring strategy and, as a result, you feel that it has disadvantaged graduates who successfully completed the Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative (AT-CTI) program, such as xxx. You also expressed concern with the implementation of the Biographical Assessment. Your letter was forwarded by the White House to our agency to address your concerns.

Coagulation-Ceramic Membrane Filtrati On For U.S. Surface Water Treatment Summary, Tanju Karanfil, Amir Y. Alansari, James E. Amburgey, Meric Selbes, Jaehong Kim, Seungjin Lee, Yonggyun Park

Publications

The objective of this project was to conduct a systematic pilot-scale investigation of a hybrid coagulation-ceramic membrane treatment system to gain fundamental insights about necessary pretreatment conditions, fouling mechanisms, and contaminant removal capabilities, using two U.S. surface water sources. A two-phase plan was implemented for each of the three coagulants considered in this study: aluminum sulfate, aluminum chlorohydrate, and ferric chloride. The first phase involved the optimization of the coagulation pretreatment conditions that provided the best performance in terms of particle removal, organics removal, and membrane fouling. The second phase involved a comprehensive performance evaluation of the optimized system. The …

The Structure-Function Relationship Of Pamam Dendrimers As Robust Oil Dispersants, Nicholas K. Geitner, Bo Wang, Rachel E. Andorfer, David A. Ladner, Pu Chen Ke, Feng Ding

Publications

PAMAM dendrimers have recently been investigated as efficient and biocompatible oil dispersants utilizing their encapsulation capacity; however, their high cationic charge density has been shown to be cytotoxic. It is therefore imperative to mitigate cationic charge-induced toxicity and understand the effects of such changes. Presented here is a synergistic experimental and computational approach to examine the effects of varying terminal surface charge on the capacity of dendrimers to disperse model liner, polycyclic aromatic, and hybrid hydrocarbons. Uncharged dendrimers collapse by forming intramolecular hydrogen bonds, which reduce the hosting capability. On the other hand, changing the surface charges from positive to …

Improving Tennis Player Performance Using System Development Interpretations Methodology, Dotan Shvorin, Kevin Taaffe

Publications

This research demonstrates a unique analytical approach to improving a player's performance in the game of tennis. We introduce a system development interpretations (SDI) methodology for associating player characteristics and factors in a hierarchical structure. We then show how this tool is applied in a human performance environment such as tennis. This approach was developed as a multi-disciplinary quality tool for process improvement that identifies factor dependencies and depicts their impact on the resulting player performance. From the implementation of the SDI methodology, the research was able to define the tennis player's difficulties and it has allowed the researchers to …

The Use Of A Real Time Online Class Response System To Enhance Classroom Learning, Lulu Sun

Publications

A real time online class response system was used in class to quickly query student population’s grasp of concepts, engage class participation, check their attendance, and clarify any misconceptions. The biggest challenges for the instructor are time needed to learn the new system, creating effective concept questions, adequate coverage of course material, and ability to respond to instantaneous student feedback. Student challenges include increased confusion if inappropriate wording for the questions, and a negative reaction to the approach in general. Overall this is a highly flexible use of interactive technology for engaging students in any discipline during the class time.

Characterization And Low-Dimensional Modeling Of Urban Fluid Flow, Dietmar Rempfer, Candace Wark, Bruno Monnier, Sriharsha Kandala

Publications

This report describes work that was done under AFOSR Contract Number FA9550-11-1-0056, studying the structure of a model urban boundary layer flow. The model geometry consisted of a set of plexiglass blocks, and the flow around this geometry was studied both experimentally as well as computationally. For the experiment, a Stereoscopic Particle Image Velocimetry (SPIV) method was developed that allows for a three-dimensional description of this urban flow, and helps gain insight into the characteristic flow structures in the streets and canyons of our model urban geometry. On the computational side, a new spectral-element code was developed that was demonstrated …

Processus De Décision Et Complexité: Le Feu De Yarnell Hill Du 30 Juin 2013 [Decision-Making Processes And Complexity: The Yarnell Hill Fire Of June 30th, 2013], Karim Hardy, Louise K. Comfort

Publications

Re-forming the information stream in decision processes after severe accidents allows scientists aRecréer les flux d’information au sein des processus de décision après une catastrophe permet aux chercheurs ainsi qu’aux décideurs d’identifier les points à partir desquels une action défaillante débute ainsi que les écarts dans les processus d’information qui pourraient être corrigés afin de réduire les futurs lors de futurs incidents. Le 30 juin 2013, le feu de Yarnell Hill en Arizona (Etats-Unis) évolue rapidement dans des conditions environnementale et managériale très difficiles menant à l’effondrement de la stratégie de lutte et à la perte de dix-neuf sapeurs-pompiers de …

Multi-Stage Axial Compressor With Counter-Rotation Using Accessory Drive, Vinod Gehlot, Magdy S. Attia

Publications

A multi-stage axial compressor for counter rotation. A first series of rotor blade assemblies are mounted on and rotate with the driveshaft, each rotor blade assembly of the first series comprising a rotating stage of the multi-stage axial compressor. A second series of rotor blade assemblies provide a counter-rotating stage of the multi-stage axial compressor. An accessory drive links the second series of rotor blade assemblies to the driveshaft and causes counter-rotation of the second series of rotor blade assemblies.

Heat Transfer Characteristics Of Ggbs Concrete In Fire, Ted Mckenna, Mark G. Richardson, Brian O’Rourke

Publications

Partial replacement of high clinker content cements by Ground Granulated Blastfurnace Slag (GGBS) can reduce the carbon footprint of concrete, with consequent benefits in respect of sustainable construction. Furthermore a state-of-the-art report indicated that use of GGBS as a binder replacement may increase the fire resistance of concrete. If so this could lead to thinner sections in fire compartment elements, especially non-loadbearing walls, leading to further gains in respect of sustainable development. Concrete is considered an effective material in protecting against the detrimental effects of fire in structures. However, exposure to high temperatures can degrade concrete performance. Fire resistance performance …

Emerging Role Of Photovoltaics For Sustainably Powering Underdeveloped, Emerging, And Developed Economies, Rajendra Singh, Amir A. Asif, Ganesh K. Venayagamoorthy, Akhlesh Lakhtakia, Mahmoud Abdelhamid, Githin F. Alapatt, David A. Ladner

Publications

With the advent of low-cost solar photovoltaic (PV) panels and our ability to generate, store, and use electrical energy locally without the need for long-range transmission, the world is about to witness transformational changes in electricity infrastructures. The use of DC electricity enhances systemwide efficiency. DC microgrids and nanogrids powered by solar PV systems and gigawatt batteries for electricity storage can sustainably power the needs of all human beings equitably and empower every individual. Ultralarge-scale manufacturing of PV systems and batteries, a vertically integrated business model, and a targeted monetary policy of quantitative easing can rapidly power all human activities.

Energy Consumption Reduction Strategies For Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles With Connected Vehicle Technology In An Urban Environment, Parth Bhavsar, Yiming He, Mashrur Chowdhury, Ryan Fries, Andrew Shealy

Publications

Automobile manufacturers have introduced plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) to reduce fossil fuel consumption. This paper details three optimization strategies that can be utilized to further minimize energy consumption of PHEVs through an information exchange between PHEVs and infrastructure agents supported by the connected vehicle technology (CVT). While an earlier research by the authors focused on a freeway scenario, this study developed strategies for an urban scenario in which frequent ‘stop-and-go’ conditions exist. Three strategies were considered in this study based on different types of information availability using CVT; only signal timing information was available in Strategy One, only headway …

Computational Modeling Of Pathophysiologic Responses To Exercise In Fontan Patients, Ethan Kung, James C. Perry, Christopher Davis, Francesco Migliavacca, Giancarlo Pennati, Alessandro Giardini, Tain-Yen Hsia, Alison Marsden

Publications

Reduced exercise capacity is nearly universal among Fontan patients. Although many factors have emerged as possible contributors, the degree to which each impacts the overall hemodynamics is largely unknown. Computational modeling provides a means to test hypotheses of causes of exercise intolerance via precisely controlled virtual experiments and measurements. We quantified the physiological impacts of commonly encountered, clinically relevant dysfunctions introduced to the exercising Fontan system via a previously developed lumped-parameter model of Fontan exercise. Elevated pulmonary arterial pressure was observed in all cases of dysfunction, correlated with lowered cardiac output (CO), and often mediated by elevated atrial pressure. Pulmonary …

On Uav Robust Nonlinear Control In Presence Of Parametric Uncertainties, Vladimir V. Golubev, William Mackunis

Publications

We examine a new robust nonlinear flight control technology that employs an array of synthetic-jet micro-actuators embedded in UAV wing design in order to completely eliminate moving parts (such as ailerons) thus greatly enhancing maneuverability required for small fixed-wing air vehicles operating, e.g., in tight urban environments. Estimated fast response times are critical in mitigating gust effects while greatly improving flight stability and control. The new controller design is particularly advantageous for high levels of uncertainty and nonlinearity present both in the unsteady flowpath environment and in the embedded actuator’s response. The current work focuses on a benchmark case of …

Natural Convection From Circular Cylinders, Sandra K. S. Boetcher

Publications

Chapter 1

Natural convection heat transfer from circular cylinders in quiescent environments is a subject which has been studied extensively. Although a well-established topic, to the best knowledge of the author no single source of reference is found for natural convection from circular cylinders for varying orientations (horizontal, vertical, and inclined). This book attempts to be a reference for Nusselt number correlations for circular cylinders of all inclinations including horizontal and vertical.

Potential And Technological Advancement Of Biofuels, Rajee Olaganathan, Fabian Ko Qui Shen, Lim Jun Shen

Publications

This scientific paper examines the feasibility of biofuels as a solution to the world‟s energy crisis. It studies the development of the four different generations of biofuel that have been discerned over the years, determining the pros and cons of each. The paper further investigates the issues concerning each generation, and determines how their successors have solved and improved on those problems. In order to give the reader an unbiased perspective, the paper studies both general advantages and disadvantages that encompasses social, economic and environmental impacts. Research and development on the first two generations of biofuels have matured, and case …

Variable Viscosity Condition In The Modeling Of A Slider Bearing, Kedar Nath Uprety, S.C. Mancas

Publications

To reduce tear and wear of machinery lubrication is essential. Lubricants form a layer between two surfaces preventing direct contact and reduce friction between moving parts and hence reduce wear. In this short letter the lubrication of two slider bearings with parallel and nonparallel is studied. First, we show that bearings with parallel plates cannot support any load. For bearings with nonparallel plates we are interested on how constant and temperature dependent viscosity affects the properties of the bearings. Also, a critical temperature for which the bearings would fail due to excess in temperature is found for both latter cases. …

Overview Of Instruments For Investigating Dust Interactions On Small Solar System Bodies By Landers And Rovers, Ryan L. Kobrick, Jeffrey A. Hoffman, Kenneth W. Street Jr., Douglas L. Rickman

Publications

Small Solar System bodies such as asteroids, comets and Mars' moons Phobos and Deimos have relatively unknown regolith environments. It is hypothesized that dust preserved in the regolith on the surfaces will have similar mechanical properties to lunar dust because of similar formation processes from micrometeoric bombardment, low relative gravity for slow settling times, and virtually no weathering because there is no atmosphere.

The Impact On Educational Technology Of A Fatal Airline Accident: A Case Study, Tim Brady

Publications

The name of the company should read Colgan Air not Cogan Airlines.

"This is a study of how a virtual technology burden was created that impacted the professional pilot college student and various colleges/universities that offer professional pilot degree programs. A cascading set of events began as a result of U.S. congressional reaction to a tragic airline accident. The resulting legislation forced the Federal Aviation Administration to publish new rules for first officer qualifications that were unmindful of the recommendations of professional pilot groups for simulation-based training. Ultimately, this placed a financial burden on both the college/university training curriculum and …

Should Expectations About The Rate Of New Antiretroviral Drug Development Impact The Timing Of Hiv Treatment Initiation And Expectations About Treatment Benefits?, Amin Khademi, R. Scott Braithwaite, Denis Saure, Andrew J. Schaefer, Kimberly Nucifora, Mark S. Roberts

Publications

Background: Many analyses of HIV treatment decisions assume a fixed formulary of HIV drugs. However, new drugs are approved nearly twice a year, and the rate of availability of new drugs may affect treatment decisions, particularly when to initiate antiretroviral therapy (ART).

Objectives: To determine the impact of considering the availability of new drugs on the optimal initiation criteria for ART and outcomes in patients with HIV/AIDS.

Methods: We enhanced a previously described simulation model of the optimal time to initiate ART to incorporate the rate of availability of new antiviral drugs. We assumed that the future rate of availability …

Dissolved And Particulate Nutrient Transport Dynamics Of A Small Irish Catchment: The River Owenabue, S. T. Harrington, Joseph R. Harrington

Publications

The objective of this research was to investigate the relationship between water and sediment discharge on the transport of nutrients: nitrogen and phosphorus. Water discharge, suspended sediment concentration and dissolved and particulate forms of nitrogen and phosphorus were monitored on the 105 km2 River Owenabue catchment in Ireland. Water discharge was found to have an influence on both particulate and dissolved nutrient transport, but more so for particulate nutrients. The particulate portion of N and P in collected samples was found to be 24 and 39 %, respectively. Increased particulate nitrogen concentrations were found at the onset of high discharge …

Space Shuttle Case Studies: Challenger And Columbia, Scott L. Post

Publications

The two Space Shuttle tragedies, Challenger and Columbia, have led to many papers on case studies on engineering ethics. The Challenger disaster in particular is often discussed due to the infamous teleconference that took place the night before the launch in which some engineers tried to postpone the launch. However, the space shuttle program itself is worthy of study as it relates to the engineering design process, and the details of the Challenger and Columbia disasters are worthy of discussion as they relate to a variety of sub-disciplines, including material science, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and heat transfer. This paper summarizes …

A Simulation Protocol For Exercise Physiology In Fontan Patients Using A Closed Loop Lumped-Parameter Model, Ethan Kung, Giancarlo Pennati, Francesco Migliavacca, Tian-Yen Hsia, Richard Figliola, Alison Marsden, Alessandro Giardini

Publications

Background: Reduced exercise capacity is nearly universal among Fontan patients, though its etiology is not yet fully understood. While previous computational studies have attempted to model Fontan exercise, they did not fully account for global physiologic mechanisms nor directly compare results against clinical and physiologic data. Methods: In this study, we developed a protocol to simulate Fontan lower-body exercise using a closed-loop lumped-parameter model describing the entire circulation. We analyzed clinical exercise data from a cohort of Fontan patients, incorporated previous clinical findings from literature, quantified a comprehensive list of physiological changes during exercise, translated them into a computational model …

Incorporating Active Learning Into The Graphical Communications Course, Lulu Sun

Publications

Active learning, is a student-centered learning strategy which has recently gained considerable attention in higher education. The literature has shown that active learning has led to better student attitudes and improvements in their thinking, communication, leadership, and writing skills. The core elements of active learning are student activities and engagement in the learning process. As more faculty look for alternatives to traditional teaching methods they have strongly advocated active learning. However, the potential challenges for faculty with such an approach cannot be ignored such as increased class preparation time, the risks of student dissatisfaction, the use of instructional technology, and …

Crew Resource Management And Its Possible Role In Nursing Risk Management, I. R. Mcandrew, G. P. Wise

Publications

Crew Resource Management (CRM) was introduced within the aviation industry in the late 1970s after an aircraft ran out of fuel whilst the pilots were trying to solve an undercarriage problem. To reduce such errors and ultimately lower the probability of failure and the severity of risks that occur, training in CRM was rolled out across the whole industry. It has been successful over the last few years in major reductions in the number of crashes and fatalities in the commercial aviation sector. Nursing has similar concerns in that errors can ultimately result in fatalities. There are parallels in the …

Is Biofuel A Feasible Long-Term Chief Energy Source? A Global Perspective, Rajee Olaganathan, Aston Lee, Debra Tong, Mameegate Zheng Jun Cheston, Zack Ho Xuan Yi

Publications

This scientific paper examines the feasibility of officiating biofuels as the future chief energy source of the world. It weighs the pros and cons of the four different generations of biofuels that have been discovered over time, explaining how the raw materials used in each generation determines each individual level of long-term sustainability. It then further analyses both general advantages and disadvantages, comprising of economic, social, health and environmental impacts; giving the reader an unbiased perspective. Few case studies have also been reviewed to better understand the implications of drawing energy from biofuels, as well as the current state of …

Reduction Of Transportation Greenhouse Gas Emissions To Mitigate Climate Change Impacts, Mary Snow, Richard Snow

Publications

Weather affects almost all modes of transportation in a modern society, and likewise, transportation has an enormous impact on the weather. Transportation greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) impact climate change, which impacts transportation in return. Reduction of transportation impacts on climate change can mitigate the reverse climate change impacts on transportation. This paper examines the relationship between transportation and climate change and establishes prospective solutions to reduce transportation greenhouse gas emission impacts on climate change and mitigate the reverse climate change impacts on transportation.

The Role Of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (Uas) In Disaster Response And Recovery Efforts: Historical, Current And Future, Dennis Vincenzi, David C. Ison, Brent A. Terwilliger

Publications

A wide range of legislation has been proposed or put into place that restricts the use of unmanned systems. These actions by legislators and regulators will stifle the growth of this technology and the associated surrounding industry. The largest obstacle to the proliferation of UAS in the U.S. is the FAA. The FAA has designated the location of six test sites that are anticipated to allow for less restrictive and formative research to assess the technologies that the FAA has claimed need to exist in order to integrate UAS into the NAS. Further complicating the adoption of UAS for beneficent …

Aircraft Access To System-Wide Information Management Infrastructure, Mohammad Moallemi, Remzi Seker, Mohamed Mahmoud, Jayson Clifford, John Pesce, Carlos Castro, Massood Towhidnejad, Jonathan Standley, Robert Klein

Publications

Within the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) NextGen project, System Wide Information Management (SWIM) program is the essential core in facilitating the collaborative access to the aviation information by various stakeholders. The Aircraft Access to SWIM (AAtS) initiative is an effort to connect the SWIM network to the aircraft to exchange the situational information between the aircraft and the National Airspace System (NAS). This paper summarizes the highlevel design and implementation of the AAtS infrastructure; namely the communication medium design, data management system, pilot peripheral, as well as the security of the data being exchanged and the performance of the entire …

In Vitro Validation Of Patient-Specific Hemodynamic Simulations In Coronary Aneurysms Caused By Kawasaki Disease, Ethan Kung, Andrew M. Kahn, Jane C. Burns, Alison Marsden

Publications

To perform experimental validation of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) applied to patient specific coronary aneurysm anatomy of Kawasaki disease. We quantified hemodynamics in a patient-specific coronary artery aneurysm physical phantom under physiologic rest and exercise flow conditions. Using phase contrast MRI (PCMRI), we acquired 3-component flow velocity at two slice locations in the aneurysms. We then performed numerical simulations with the same geometry and inflow conditions, and performed qualitative and quantitative comparisons of velocities between experimental measurements and simulation results. We observed excellent qualitative agreement in flow pattern features. The quantitative spatially and temporally varying differences in velocity between PCMRI …