Mechanical Engineering Commons^™

Multiphysics Finite Element Analysis Of In-Pile Sensors For Advanced Nuclear Reactors, Takoda Linn Bingham

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Nuclear reactors have large needs for in-pile sensors that are durable in high temperature, radioactive, and corrosive environments. With the use of multiphysics finite element analysis (FEA) researchers can speed up sensor prototyping. FEA also allows for a better fundamental understanding of sensors and enables sensor optimization. This research focuses on three types of in-pile sensors developed at Idaho National Laboratory: acoustic sensors, linear variable differential transformers (LVDT), and capacitance based strain gauges (CSG). Two acoustic sensors, magnetostrictive waveguides and piezoelectric surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensors were first modeled. These models showed the acoustic wave patterns and estimated the speed …

Novel Low Temperature Cofired Ceramic Manufacturing Techniques For A Magnetron Field Emission Cathode, Daylon Michael Black

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Low Temperature Cofired Ceramic (LTCC) is a material system that is ideal for integrated microelectronic packaging technology, because of its rapid prototyping and easy integration of passive components such as resistors, capacitors, and conductors. LTCC’s electrical properties makes it especially suitable for high frequency applications such as magnetrons. Recently, there has been an increased demand for greater power capacities which is resolved by phase locking multiple low power (inexpensive) magnetrons together to achieve the same power as one high power (expensive) magnetron. The Vacuum Electron Devices (VED) and Ceramic Micro Electrical Mechanical Systems (CMEMS) labs at Boise State University have …

Thermoelectric System Modeling And Design, Buddhima Pasindu Gamarachchi

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Thermoelectric generators (TEGs) convert heat to electricity by way of the Seebeck effect. TEGs have no moving parts and are environmentally friendly and can be implemented with systems to recover waste heat. This work examines complete thermoelectric systems, which include the (TEG) and heat exchangers or heat sinks attached to the hot and cold sides of the TEG to maintain the required temperature difference across the TEG. A 1-D steady state model is developed to predict the performance of a TEG given the required temperatures and device dimensions. The model is first validated using a 3-D model and then is …

Flexible Thermoelectric Generators For Biomedical Applications, Ryan Stevenson

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

The market for implantable medical devices is growing rapidly. Research and Markets predicts that by the end of 2015 the market for pacemakers will be 5.1 billion dollars, and a projected growth of 13.82% between 2013 and 2018. The average lifespan of an implantable medical device’s battery is only 5 years, while the projected lifespan of the device itself is 10 years. There is an excess of invasive surgeries occurring to replace these batteries, costing the healthcare system millions of dollars and also causing patients a large degree of discomfort and pain.

Thermoelectric generators have the potential to supplement and …

The Design, Fabrication, And Pressure Testing Of A Low-Temperature Co-Fired Ceramic Electric Propulsion Thruster, Derek J. Reis

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Electric thrusters have been used for many years for orbital station-keeping and propulsion. As technology advances, smaller satellites are possible that require less thrust. The resulting miniature electric thrusters need low-weight and compact designs. This thesis specifies the design, fabrication, and testing of a thruster and its fluid delivery system designed for use with a micro-satellite weighing less than fifty kilograms.

The advent of Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) has sparked a new market with incredibly small scale designs. Using this technology with Low-Temperature Co-fired Ceramic (LTCC) materials has spawned the new distinction of Ceramic Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (C-MEMS). The thruster body is …

Micro Grids Fabricated For Miniature Ion Thruster, Deborah French, Jesse Taff

College of Engineering Poster Presentations

Part of the research at Boise State is a miniaturized plasma propulsion thruster. The purpose of the thruster is to provide the necessary location realignments for small satellites in space. The grid creates an electrostatic field, which extracts plasma ions from an Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) source. The ions are propelled toward a collector plate being a second identical grid, which in turn creates the desired thrust. The size and density of the openings in the grid are essential to optimizing the thrust produced. The grid geometry contributes to the ion departure angle (focusing) and the ion transparency. The Stainless …

Testing, Analysis, And Model Verification Of Miniature Linear Permanent Magnet Generators, Michael Ray Rippee

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

The military has become increasingly dependent on mobile electronic equipment to ensure success and safety of soldiers in remote locations. To operate the electronics, soldiers must carry batteries that can weigh up to 12kg (26.5lb). To decrease the load soldiers must carry, a backpack with an internal linear electric generator has been proposed to provide portable power for soldiers on foot. In designing a generator for this purpose, a simulation was developed to predict the power generation capacity of linear permanent magnet generators. This thesis presents work done to experimentally verify the theoretical simulation with a desired accuracy of 20%. …

Linear Electromagnetic Energy Scavenging Device Designed In Low Temperature Co-Fired Ceramics, Hope A. Bateman

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

For a soldier deployed in a remote location on the earth or a recreational hiker in the wilderness or a wild land firefighter battling a destructive wildfire, access to a power source is problematic. Local and regional communication systems, navigation, lights, imaging: all of these require a power source. For short time periods, batteries may be sufficient but with extended time periods the weight of the batteries and cost of replacement becomes a problem. Energy scavenging devices could fill this need and be used as a secondary power source when solar or batteries are not available.

A linear electromagnetic generator …