Engineering Commons^™

Approaches To Studying Bacterial Biofilms In The Bioeconomy With Nanofabrication Techniques And Engineered Platforms., Michelle Caroline Halsted

Doctoral Dissertations

Studies that estimate more than 90% of bacteria subsist in a biofilm state to survive environmental stressors. These biofilms persist on man-made and natural surfaces, and examples of the rich biofilm diversity extends from the roots of bioenergy crops to electroactive biofilms in bioelectrochemical reactors. Efforts to optimize microbial systems in the bioeconomy will benefit from an improved fundamental understanding of bacterial biofilms. An understanding of these microbial systems shows promise to increase crop yields with precision agriculture (e.g. biosynthetic fertilizer, microbial pesticides, and soil remediation) and increase commodity production yields in bioreactors. Yet conventional laboratory methods investigate these micron-scale …

Phylogenetics And Association Analyses Illustrate Substantial Cryptic Diversity Of A Newly Isolated Collection Of Cenococcum Geophilum, Jessica Velez

Doctoral Dissertations

The ectomycorrhizal fungus Cenococcum geophilum is distributed worldwide across multiple climates and soil types and is known to positively associate with a multitude of plant genera, possibly contributing to plant ability to tolerate inorganic contaminants in a soil environment. New C. geophilum isolates are easily cultured from soils in a laboratory setting, making this an ideal candidate for a model species with which to study multiple plant-fungal effects across a collection of novel isolates. However, C. geophilum is also genetically complex and, at 178Mbp, features one of the largest fungal genomes, necessitating the use of the novel restriction-associated DNA sequencing …

A Comparison Of Methods To Measure Crop Water Use In South Carolina, Andrew C. Ewing

All Theses

The objective of this thesis was to compare cost-effective methods of measuring crop water use, known as evapotranspiration (ET), in South Carolina’s humid climate. The methods analyzed were the surface renewal method (SR), the Eddy Covariance method (EC), large in-field weighing lysimeters, a newly developed pressure differential device (PDD), a Class A Evaporation pan, and the Penman-Monteith equation. In the first chapter, ET measurements obtained by SR were compared to ET measured by EC and weighing lysimeters. For reference, EC and SR track the energy budget to estimate ET, while the weighing lysimeters used in this study are box-like containers …

Ventilation And Recirculation Airway Design For An Autonomous, Climate Controlled, Hydroponic Demonstration Unit, Nicholas Cross

Biological and Agricultural Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

For this Honors Thesis project, I designed and fabricated a ventilation and recirculation airway sub-system prototype for a hydroponic demonstration unit to be used as an educational demonstration for prospective students, illustrating the capabilities of biological engineers. This thesis focuses on the design of an autonomous air system that toggles between ventilation and recirculation modes based upon sensor output. In the literature review I discuss how ventilation can be used to achieve a targeted climate, the benefits of hands-on projects for education, and the optimum parameters for growing herbs in a hydroponic system.

In the design and fabrication process, every …

Waste Hemp Fibers (Hfs) Derived Porous Carbons: Preparation, Characterization, And Potential Applications, Manju Gurung

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

The main objective of the present research was to develop environmentally friendly and cost-effective porous carbon materials of improved properties from waste hemp fibers. Two different types/categories of porous carbons were prepared from hemp fibers. In one type, porous carbon materials were developed by a simple one-step method of carbonization and activation. The other type of carbon materials developed in this study were nitrogen-containing activated carbons, which were developed by introduction of nitrogen-containing functional groups on the surface of hemp fibers followed by activation and carbonization. The pore structure/distribution and surface chemistry of the prepared carbons were investigated through the …

Hydraulic Effects Of Perpendicular Water Approach Velocity On Meter Gate Flow Measurement, John M. Thorburn

Master's Theses

Accurate flow measurement is required to effectively manage water resources. California Senate Bill X7-7 (SB X7-7), legislates this need by requiring agricultural water providers serving areas greater than 25,000 acres to develop an Agricultural Water Management Plan (AWMP) and adopt pricing based at least partly on volumetric water deliveries (DWR, 2009). This study focused on two of the most common flow measurement/flow control devices used in California open channel water conveyance systems: the circular meter gate and the rectangular meter gate. Testing was conducted on three Armco-type (round gates over round discharge pipe) gates measuring 12”, 18”, and 24” and …

Design And Testing Of A Multi-Depth Soil Temperature Sensor Array Intended As A Candidate Irrigation Scheduling Tool, Lillian Glaeser

Biological and Agricultural Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

A crucial measure in the advancement of water conservation and sustainable agricultural strategies is increasing efficiencies of irrigation systems. Because of the lack of availability of affordable, durable, and scalable soil moisture monitoring devices, this thesis proposes a low-cost, multi-depth soil temperature sensor array as a candidate for monitoring soil moisture content and guiding farmer’s irrigation scheduling. Propagation of diurnal temperature waves through soil is dependent on the thermal diffusivity of the soil, which can be determined by examining temperature waves at different soil depths. Thermal diffusivity is dependent on several factors, though, in undisturbed soil, water has the largest …

Improved Fermentation Design And Screening Devices For Biobutanol Production, Garret Christopher Munch

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

A worldwide increase in demand for renewable fuels has revived interest in fermentatively produced butanol. However, butanol fermentation suffers from low product yields and productivity. The work presented in this thesis addresses part of these research and development needs at three levels: innovative fermentation process design; genetic manipulation for strain enhancement; and the development of a new tool for anaerobic process characterization and optimization.

Product yield could be increased through traditional fermentation engineering. Co-fermentation of butyric acid with glycerol increased the butanol yield from 0.45 mol/mol (mols C in butanol / mol C in substrates) to 0.51 mol/mol. In building …

Gestión De Datos De Susceptibilidad Antimicrobiana De Bacterias Aisladas A Nivel Ocular, Mauro Estefan Ramirez Aranguren

Ingeniería en Automatización

El presente proyecto analizó, diseñó y puso en marcha un software web para consulta y respectiva gestión de datos. Este software tiene como finalidad promover y suministrar información en tiempo real a estudiantes y profesionales del programa de optometría, acerca del patrón de susceptibilidad antimicrobiana presentes a nivel ocular. Adicionalmente, brinda información acerca de las cepas presentes y si es posible la generación de multiresistencia a medicamentos. Cabe mencionar, que la información de campo en la que se fundamenta este trabajo fue proporcionada por las profesionales del programa de optometría de la Universidad de la Salle: Viviane Geraldine Rondón Correa …

Elucidating Basis Of Rice Discoloration And Developing Prevention Strategies, Zeinab Mohammadi Shad

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Economically, discolored rice kernels have less market value, which can seriously impact farm net profit. The reasons for rice discoloration during storage have not been studied extensively and many questions remain. Therefore, the primary goal of this study was to improve understanding of the role and contributions of storage practices on rice quality degradation and discoloration. In this study, three rice cultivars including XL753 (hybrid), Roy J (pureline), and Titan were assessed for changes in quality and microbial kinetics. The rice samples at a high moisture content (MC) of 21% w.b. and a low MC of 16% were stored at …

The Release, Transport, And Utilization Of Phosphorus From Bed-Sediments: A Study Of A Eutrophic Littoral Cove On Beaver Lake In Northwest Arkansas, James A. Mccarty

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Eutrophication of surface waters not only impacts the environment but also water treatment processes, the most significant of which is from the effects of algae. During peak algal growth in many southern U.S. reservoirs, inflows that bring nutrients are at an annual minimum, and phosphorus released from bed-sediments is trapped in the hypolimnion. Littoral areas, described as the most productive zone of the lake, may be a possible source of phosphorus that fuels algal growth in the reservoir. I studied an isolated shallow cove in the War Eagle Creek arm of Beaver Lake in Northwest Arkansas to measure, quantify, and …

Removal Of Fluoride From Mine Water Via Adsorption For Land-Applied Soil Amendment, Ethan Phan, Adrian Damian, Kevin Le, Mary Johnson, Courtney Golman, Michelle Dopp, Jacqueline Payne

Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

The process of mining minerals and elements from ores and rocks creates acid rock drainage (ARD). This drainage is water that contains heavy metals and minerals that can be dangerous for human consumption or damaging to the environment. The mining industry has employed various water treatment methods to prevent these metals and minerals from being discharged into water sources such as ponds, lakes, and streams. Currently, the most used treatment process in the mining industry is a cost-effective high-density sludge (HDS) process. This method reduces the concentration of metals and elements with the use of lime/limestone. However, the concentration of …

Providing Sustainable Power Through Renewable Energy For Developing Communities In Central America, Elizabeth Topping

Biological and Agricultural Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Rural electrification through an expansion of the power grid into remote villages in Central America is a development that is still years away. Using renewable energy technology, access to electricity is available even in the most remote areas of the world. These individual power grids are also called “microgrids.” Creating microgrids in rural areas provides the people living there with access to power they did not have before. With this newfound access to power, these communities can expand their access to education, using computers or mobile devices. They can power lights, refrigerators, and other devices to continue development.

The design …

Simulating Soybean-Rice Crop Rotation And Irrigation Strategies In Arkansas Using Apex, Sam Carroll

Biological and Agricultural Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Rice is one of the most prevalent and relied upon resources around the world. Despite such prominence, cultivation techniques for this crop are not perfect. Precise irrigation amounts and optimal crop rotations are still not completely understood. As the global population continues to grow and resources are depleted, maximizing the efficiency of cropping systems becomes more urgent. The goal of this study was to shed light on these questions using the Agricultural Policy/Environmental eXtender (APEX) model to simulate five fields in soybean-rice rotation in Arkansas. First, the model was calibrated to accurately represent the observed yields in the area. Then, …

Design Of A Deep Flow Technique Hydroponic System And An Elementary Education Module For Tri Cycle Farms, Cady Rosenbaum

Biological and Agricultural Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Hydroponics is an agricultural technique in which plants are grown without soil and are instead grown in water systems that include nutrients and other growth-supporting media. Hydroponic systems typically reside inside, so that the system can be fully controlled by the grower by manipulating the temperature and amount of light the plants receive. The benefits of growing plants using hydroponics include: the amount of water used is reduced, it is less labor to grow organic produce with an indoor system, less space used, and it allows for growing food anywhere. Tri Cycle Farms is planning for the construction of a …

Reducing Dissolved Phosphorus In Stream Water May Not Influence Estimation Of Sediment Equilibrium Phosphorus Concentrations, Eleanor Henson

Biological and Agricultural Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

The potential for stream sediments to adsorb or release phosphorus (P) depends on the equilibrium P concentration (EPC), which is the water column P concentration where P is neither (net) adsorbed nor released from the sediments. Current methods of measuring EPC in streams include adding known P concentrations to stream water, mixing with fresh sediments, and allowing the mixture to reach equilibrium through P sorption. Sediment EPC is usually calculated as the x-intercept of the linear relationship between initial P concentrations and P absorbed by the sediments. However, the x-intercept is often an extrapolation past the known data set (i.e. …

Design Of A Shallow-Aero Ebb And Flow Hydroponics System And Associated Educational Module For Tri Cycle Farms, Julie Halveland

Biological and Agricultural Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Tri Cycle Farms, whose main mission is to reduce food insecurity in their community, is a non- profit urban farm in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The “Tri” in their name refers to the three parts of their foundation: giving a third of their yield to volunteers, giving a third to local food pantries, and selling a third to sustain the farm and demonstrate the economy of local food production. They want to expand on the third part and have a vision of building a hydroponic greenhouse with the intention that it will create more crops to sell and give, as well as …

Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (As A Rapid Method) Coupled With Machine Learning Approaches For Detection And Quantification Of Gluten Contaminations In Grain-Based Foods, Abuchi Godswill Okeke

Theses and Dissertations--Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering

Cross-contamination between food grains during harvesting, transportation, and/or food processing is still a major issue in the food industry. Due to cross-contact with gluten-rich grains (wheat, barley, and rye grains), gluten can get into food that’s naturally free from gluten and thus may not be safe for consumption for people susceptible to gluten-related disorders such as celiac disease, wheat allergy, gluten intolerance or sensitivity. The conventional method of gluten detection is cumbersome, time-consuming, and requires well-trained personnel. Therefore, there is a need for a rapid and equally effective technique to authenticate gluten contamination in foods. This research work explored the …

Quantifying Nitrogen Fate In Karst Agroecosystem Streams Of Central Kentucky: Development And Application Of Numerical Modeling And Insight From High-Resolution Sensors, Nolan Lewis Bunnell

Theses and Dissertations--Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering

In-stream fate of nutrients in karst agroecosystems remains poorly understood, despite the known impact of karst on water resources at local to global scales. In the Inner-Bluegrass region of central Kentucky, heterogeneity of karst maturity, flow pathways, and nutrient sources adds to the complexity of quantifying nutrient dynamics, thus requiring novel monitoring and modeling approaches. The significance of these streams is recognized given spring/surface water confluences have been identified as hotspots for biogeochemical transformations. In slow-moving streams high in dissolved inorganic nutrients (particularly dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) and dissolved reactive phosphorus (DRP)), benthic and floating aquatic macrophytes are recognized to …

Establecimiento De Dos Cultivos (Frijol Y Arracacha) Como Modelo De Diversificación De La Producción Agrícola Familiar En El Municipio De Guavatá Santander, Brayan Orlando Ariza Velasco

Ingeniería Agronómica

El proyecto Productivo se llevó a cabo en el municipio de Guavatá Santander mediante el apoyo de Universidad de La Salle proyecto Utopía. El componente de ingeniería agronómica para el cual se establecieron dos cultivos, Fríjol (Phaseolus Vulgaris) y Arracacha (Arracacia xanthorrhiza) como modelo de diversificación de la producción agrícola familiar en el municipio; este componente fue exitoso ya que se realizó un manejo técnico adecuado se dio a conocer esta alternativa en la región y se obtuvieron altos rendimientos. El componente de investigación el cual tuvo como objetivo analizar los sistemas actuales de producción de guayaba del municipio de …

El Cultivo De Fríjol (Phaseolus Vulgaris L) Como Un Modelo De Producción Agrícola En La Vereda Mercadillo Del Municipio De Guavatá, José Norvey Mateus García

Ingeniería Agronómica

La progresiva necesidad en la elaboración de alimentos a escala mundial, demanda mayor eficiencia en la creación de excelentes alternativas técnicas especializadas en la producción de cultivos, para colocarlas a disposición de pequeños, medianos y grandes productores de este sector (Escoto, 2013). El proyecto productivo del cultivo de fríjol (P. vulgaris L.) desde el componente agronómico se fundamentó en integrar una estrategia productiva para terrenos con pendientes predominantes, como alternativa transitoria en los lugares donde se realiza renovación de cultivos, principalmente en café (Coffea arabica ), minimizando costos directos en contraste con un aumento de utilidad recaudada. Desde el componente …

Implementación De Un Sistema De Producción Y Comercialización De Maíz (Zea Mays) Hibrido Para La Evaluación De Componentes De Rendimiento En San Miguel, Putumayo, Biany Liceth Casanova Linares

Ingeniería Agronómica

En el municipio de San Miguel, Putumayo, el maíz (Zea mays L.) es uno de los productos más cultivados en la zona, sin embargo, se obtienen bajos rendimientos en grano, debido a esto se realizó el presente proyecto para producir y comercializar 1 Ha de maíz (Z. mays L.) como único ciclo, A través del documento se; incluye un plan de manejo técnico, diversas prácticas empíricas, descripción del manejo integrado de plagas y arvenses, monitoreos y plan de fertilización, dando como resultado una producción de 4.500 Kg y un grano de buena calidad que fue comercializado y requerido por el …

Implementación De Un Sistema Productivo De Frijol (Phaseolus Vulgaris L.) Como Alternativa De Ingresos Y Seguridad Alimentaria En Palermo, Huila, María Esperanza Palomino Mosquera

Ingeniería Agronómica

Como proyecto productivo de grado se implementa un sistema de producción de frijol (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) con un área de 3.200 m2, ubicado en a cinco minutos del centro poblado Ospina Pérez, Palermo, Huila. Los departamentos del Huila y Tolima son los principales productores de frijol en Colombia, con un área cosechada anual 23.699 (ha) en el departamento del Huila, el Tolima con 16.646 ha y una producción anual de 26.042 (t) el Huila y Tolima con 20.964 (t) de grano seco. Durante el ciclo del cultivo fueron llevadas a cabo con las respectivas prácticas agronómicas, en al manejo de …

Establecimiento De 5.000 M2 De Frijol (Phaseolus Vulgaris L.) Como Alternativa Comercial En Chaparral - Tolima, Julián Andrés Cuevas Rayo

Ingeniería Agronómica

Con la implementación del proyecto en el establecimiento de 5.000 m2 de frijol (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) variedad Diacol Calima como alternativa comercial a cultivos tradicionales en el municipio de Chaparral - Tolima, se buscó promover en la región el establecimiento de cultivos tecnificados en la zona , que ofrecerán a los agricultores otras vías de ingreso de dinero, ya que su economía depende principalmente del cultivo de café. Para lograr esto se llegó a los habitantes de las veredas El Escobal y El salado del municipio de chaparral, con alternativas de producción utilizando nuevas técnicas de producción en la región, …

La Cebolla De Rama (Allium Fistulosum L.) Como Alternativa De Diversificación De Cultivos En El Corregimiento De La Granja, Municipio De Sucre Santander, José Reinaldo Bautista Peña

Ingeniería Agronómica

La cebolla de rama (Allium fistulosum L.) es considerada como un elemento fundamental de la canasta familiar, en el desarrollo de este proyectó se logró evaluar su potencial para la agricultura con fines comerciales, para ello se analizaron: a) las ventajas y desventajas biológicas de esta especie vegetal frente a las eventualidades climáticas de la zona; b) las experiencias de agricultores de la zona (focalizados en producción de Mora (Rubus glaucus B.); c) el componente de investigación tuvo como objetivo evaluar el impacto económico en los agentes vinculados al monocultivo de Mora (R. glaucus) y aptitudes frente a la diversificación …

Producción De Maíz Criollo (Zea Mays) Como Alternativa Sustentable Para Agricultores De La Vereda Serrezuela, Municipio De Girón, Departamento De Santander, Nayive Murcia Santamaría

Ingeniería Agronómica

Este proyecto productivo se realizó con la finalidad de brindar nuevas oportunidades de producción agrícola en la vereda Serrezuela. Durante el trascurso del proyecto se cumplió con un manejo técnico establecido previamente que consistió en el manejo integrado de arvenses, plagas, enfermedades, fertilización, trazado en contra de la pendiente del lote y finalmente la comercialización del producto. Todo esto se realizó con el objetivo de mostrar a los agricultores de la vereda que cultivos de ciclo corto como el maíz pueden aportar ingresos económicos durante etapas donde otros cultivos de ciclo más largo no están en producción teniendo en cuenta …

Implementación De Un Sistema Productivo De Maíz (Zea Mays) Blanco En Condiciones De Puerto Concordia, Meta, Rubén Andrés Gonzalez Mora

Ingeniería Agronómica

En el municipio de Puerto Concordia, Meta existe poca intervención del estado en el sector rural en cuanto acompañamiento técnico y profesional, ocasionando baja productividad en el municipio, por esta razón muchos campesinos se ven obligados a escoger cultivos ilícitos para el sustento diario ya que es un cultivo que genera rápidos ingresos económicos y además teniendo en cuenta el mal estado de las vías es muy fácil de trasportar un kilogramo de coca que una o dos toneladas de cualquier producto licito. Pero la opresión del estado a estos cultivos ilícitos ha llevado a que mucha gente se canse …

Mejoramiento Del Cultivo De Cacao (Theobroma Cacao L.) Con La Implementación De Manejo Técnico Enfocado A La Producción Y Empresarización En El Municipio De Landázuri- Santander Como Cultivo Sostenible, Patrocinio Cañas Correa

Ingeniería Agronómica

El objetivo de este trabajo fue la implementación del manejo agronómico para mejorar el rendimiento productivo del cultivo de cacao (Theobroma cacao L) llegando hasta la comercialización como fuente sostenible familiar en la finca Galapales vereda El Tagual municipio de Landázuri, Santander. También, se realizó el análisis económico del proyecto productivo que permitió evaluar su rentabilidad. Además, se implementó la investigación de artropofauna en el cultivo de banano bocadillo (Musa acuminata L.) donde se buscó conocer un poco la diversidad de insectos que se encuentran en la zona, con el propósito de saber cuáles pueden ser posibles plagas para el …

Implementación De Un Manejo Técnico En Café (Coffea Arabica) Y Análisis De La Viabilidad En Las Ventas De Seis Sistemas De Producción, En El Centro Recreacional La Isla Sasaima, Cundinamarca, Juan Diego Sánchez Beltrán

Ingeniería Agronómica

El proyecto productivo de zona de origen se desarrolló en el Centro Recreacional La Isla, ubicada en el municipio de Sasaima, departamento de Cundinamarca. El proyecto desarrolló la implementación de un plan de manejo técnico basado en todas las necesidades del sistema productivo de café (Coffea arabica) y a su vez buscando fortalecer el manejo técnico de los demás sistemas de producción del referido centro. El desarrollo del plan de manejo técnico permitió mejorar procesos de fertilización y obtener registros de la presencia de plagas y enfermedades, permitiendo reconocer que el bajo nivel de producción no se debe a problemas …

El Cultivo De Frijol Rosado (Phaseolus Vulgaris) Como Una Alternativa De Sustento Familiar En La Vereda San Pablo, Municipio De Hacarí, Norte De Santander, Jorge Eliecer Pérez Ascanio

Ingeniería Agronómica

Según (Restrepo et, al 2004) el cultivo de frijol (Phaseolus vulgaris) representa para la población campesina una de las más grandes fuentes de empleo teniendo en cuenta que es uno de los granos más consumidos a nivel del país y resaltando el alto porcentaje de proteína que contiene que lo convierte en uno de los productos principales de la canasta familiar. Se estima que el área sembrada en el país para el año 2019 es de 49.565 ha y a nivel del departamento Norte de Santander se aproxima a las 3000 ha lo que equivale al 6% de la producción …