Mechanical Engineering Commons^™

Optimal Reduction Of Electrical Energy Consumption By Supply Air Ac Motors, Keyhan Rafiee

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The Nebraska Center for Energy Sciences Research (NCER) at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) strives to be energy efficient through Green Energy. Of course, in meeting some of the requirements for different types of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification, certain minimum levels of energy efficiency practices must be met. One such level of energy efficiency, in particular, is reduction in the consumption of electrical energy in buildings. This thesis is a study of methods of reducing the consumption of electrical energy (measured in kW of electrical power) in the UNL Jorgensen Hall (JH) air handling unit 2 …

A Method To Generate Pressure Gradients For Molecular Simulation Of Pressure-Driven Flows In Nanochannels, Zhi Liang, Hai-Lung Tsai

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

One of the Difficulties in Molecular Simulation of Pressure-Driven Fluid Flow in Nanochannels is to Find an Appropriate Pressure Control Method. When Periodic Boundary Conditions (PBCs) Are Applied, a Gravity-Like Field Has Been Widely Used to Replace Actual Pressure Gradients. the Gravity-Fed Method is Not Only Artificial, But Not Adequate for Studying Properties of Fluid Systems Which Are Essentially Inhomogeneous in the Flow Direction. in This Paper, a Method is Proposed Which Can Generate Any Desired Pressure Difference to Drive the Fluid Flow by Attaching a "Pump" to the Nanofluidic System, While the Model is Still Compatible with PBCs. the …

Experimental Study On Thermoelectric Modules For Power Generation At Various, Wei-Hsin Chen

Wei-Hsin Chen

No abstract provided.

A Numerical Approach Of Conjugate Hydrogen Permeation And Polarization In A Pd Membrane Tube, Wei-Hsin Chen

Wei-Hsin Chen

No abstract provided.

H3Po4-Imbibed Three-Dimensional Polyacrylamide/Polyacrylamide Hydrogel As A High-Temperature Proton Exchange Membrane With Excellent Acid Retention, Qunwei Tang, Guoging Qian, Kevin Huang

Faculty Publications

We herein report the use of polyacrylamide/polyacrylamide interpenetrating polymer network (PAM/PAM IPN) hydrogel as a matrix to imbibe proton conducting H₃PO₄, forming a robust proton exchange membrane (PEM) suitable for high-temperature PEM fuel cells by combining excellent acid retention, simple synthesis, and low cost. Its extraordinary ability to absorb large quantity of aqueous solution is fully utilized to achieve high H₃PO₄ loading, showing a proton conductivity of 0.0833 S cm−1 at 183 °C in dry air. The synthesized membrane also shows excellent acid retention even under mechanical load and high humidity. These profound …

Characterization Of Conducting-Polymer-Based Bimorph Vibration Sensors, Weihua Li, Geoffrey M. Spinks, Lianbin Zhao, Yanzhe Wu, Dezhi Zhou, G G. Wallace

Professor Weihua Li

This paper presents theoretical and experimental investigation of mechanical-electrical properties of conducting polymers based bimorph sensors. A material parameter, hCP , is proposed to represent linear relationship between induction charge and the applied external deformation. Based on this assumption, a constitutive equation for bimorph sensors under steady-state external loadings are constructed and then solved. Mechanical-electrical properties of bimorph sensors are experimentally studied using both vibration-amplitude sweep mode and frequency sweep mode. The material parameter hCP , is identified by comparing theoretical analysis and experimental results. The applications of conducting polymers based bimorph sensors in smart structures are also discussed.

Rigid Finite Element Model Of A Cracked Rotor, Zbigniew Kulesza, Jerzy T. Sawicki

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications

The article introduces a new mathematical model for the cracked rotating shaft. The model is based on the rigid finite element (RFE) method, which has previously been successfully applied for the dynamic analysis of many complicated, mechanical structures. In this article, the RFE method is extended and adopted for the modeling of rotating machines. An original concept of crack modeling utilizing the RFE method is developed. The crack is presented as a set of spring–damping elements of variable stiffness connecting two sections of the shaft. An alternative approach for approximating the breathing mechanism of the crack is introduced. The approach …

Free Standing Gan Nano Membrane By Laser Liftoff Method, Liang Tang, Yuefeng Wang, Gary Cheng, Michael Manfra, Timothy Sands

Yuefeng Wang

In this work, we present a method able to fabricate thin GaN nanomembranes fit for device applications. Starting from commercial GaN on sapphire substrates, MBE was used to deposit a sacrificial layer, which comprises of a superlattice of InN/InGaN, after which thin a GaN film of hundreds of nanometers thickness was grown on top. Pulsed laser irridiation with photon energy of 2.3eV gives rise to the controlled decomposition of the sacrificial intermediate layer, which can be followed by easy separation of the top GaN membrane from the substrate. This process can be used to manufacture GaN membranes with low defect …

The Role Of Transport Phenomena In The Direct Oxidation Of Solid Fuels, Charles J. Banas

Master's Theses

Direct carbon fuel cells have shown promise for stationary power generation by utilizing the direct oxidation of a solid carbon fuel source at the anode. In laboratory settings, researchers have reported up to 300mA/cm2 of current density from these cells types which suffer from mass transport losses. This paper studies the surface properties of the solid fuel source, and describes the process of CO2 evolution through an analogy to pool boiling. In nucleate boiling (a subset of pool boiling) vapor bubbles grow from nucleation sites where gas are trapped in micro-cavities on the surface. Carbon surfaces possess these same features, …

Improved Non-Linear Solution Of Dip Coating Flow, Omar Bin Yusuf

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

A thin layer of film is developed on the surface of a substrate in the dip coating process where the substrate is initially immersed into the coating fluid and then withdrawn continuously from the coating fluid bath. In this study a two dimensional flow of the thin film for a Newtonian fluid is examined theoretically by dividing the film into three separate regions. A general formulation is developed for a thin film flow, which then simplifies for each region upon considering appropriate assumptions to each region. The influence of inertia and surface tension in the presence of gravity is investigated …

Preoperative Planning Of Robotics-Assisted Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery Under Uncertainty, Hamidreza Azimian

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

In this thesis, a computational framework for patient-specific preoperative planning of Robotics-Assisted Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery (RAMICS) is developed. It is expected that preoperative planning of RAMICS will improve the rate of success by considering robot kinematics, patient-specific thoracic anatomy, and procedure-specific intraoperative conditions. Given the significant anatomical features localized in the preoperative computed tomography images of a patient's thorax, port locations and robot orientations (with respect to the patient's body coordinate frame) are determined to optimize characteristics such as dexterity, reachability, tool approach angles and maneuverability. In this thesis, two approaches for preoperative planning of RAMICS are proposed that …

Magneto-Elastic Behavior In Hard- And Soft-Mre's Including Demagnetizing Effects, Juan Roche

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis studies the magnetic and mechanical behavior of magnetorheological elastomers (MREs) based on four possible permutations defined along particle alignment (Aligned and Unaligned) and magnetization (Hard- or Soft-magnetic) pairs. These pairs designations yield classes A-H, U-H, A-S and U-S. The last two classes comprise traditional MREs. Samples were fabricated by mixing DOW HS II silicone elastomer compound and 30% by volume of either nominally 40-micron M-type barium hexaferrite (BaM) or 325-mesh iron (Fe) particles cured with or without the presence of a magnetic field. Magnetization and density measurements were employed to help confirm fabrication of the four distinct classes. …

Friction Stir Spot Welding Of Ultra-High Strength Steel, Trent J. Hartman

Theses and Dissertations

Friction stir spot welding (FSSW) is quickly becoming a method of interest for welding of high strength steel (HSS) and ultra high strength steel (UHSS). FSSW has been shown to produce high quality welds in these materials, without the drawbacks associated with fusion welding. Tool grade for polycrystalline cubic boron nitride (PCBN) tools has a significant impact on wear resistance, weld quality, and tool failure in FSSW of DP 980 steel sheet. More specifically, for a nominal composition of 90% CBN, the grain size has a significant impact on the wear resistance of the tool. A-type tools performed the best, …

Numerical Simulation Of Catalytic Ozone Decomposition Reaction In A Gas-Solids Circulating Fluidized Bed Riser, Lei Kong

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling of catalytic ozone decomposition reaction in a circulating fluidized bed (CFB) riser using iron impregnated FCC particles as catalyst is carried out. The catalytic reaction is defined as a one-step reaction with an empirical coefficient. Eularian-Eularian method with kinetic theory of granular flow is used to solve the gas-solids two-phase flow in the CFB riser. The simulation results are compared with experimental data, with the reaction rate modified using an empirical coefficient to provide better simulation results than the original reaction rate. Moreover, the particle size has great effects on the reaction rate. Studies on …

Biomechanical Modeling For Lung Tumor Motion Prediction During Brachytherapy And Radiotherapy, Zahra Shirzadi

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

A novel technique is proposed to develop a biomechanical model for estimating lung’s tumor position as a function of respiration cycle time. Continuous tumor motion is a major challenge in lung cancer treatment techniques where the tumor needs to be targeted; e.g. in external beam radiotherapy and brachytherapy. If not accounted for, this motion leads to areas of radiation over and/or under dosage for normal tissue and tumors. In this thesis, biomechanical models were developed for lung tumor motion predication in two distinct cases of lung brachytherapy and lung external beam radiotherapy. The lung and other relevant surrounding organs geometries, …

Rust-Expansion-Crack Service Life Prediction Of Existing Reinforced Concrete Bridge/Viaduct Using Time-Dependent Reliability Analysis, Ming-Te Liang, Jiang-Jhy Chang, Han-Tung Chang, Chi-Jang Yeh

Journal of Marine Science and Technology

It is necessary to develop a calculation method to help in the making of feasible, reliable, and serviceable predictions for the service lives of bridge or viaduct structures. This article presents the basis for doing rust-expansion-crack service life predictions for existing reinforced concrete (RC) bridges and viaducts in chloride-laden environments based on timedependant reliability modeling due to the corrosion of steel in concrete. The corrosion process has three stages, the initiation (diffusion or carbonation) time (ti = tc), the depassivation time (tp), and the propagation (corrosion) time (tcorr). The rustexpansion-crack service lives (tcr) of existing RC bridges or viaducts can …

Mechanism State Matrices For Spatial Reconfigurable Mechanisms, Philip A. Voglewede, Brian Korves, Brian Slaboch

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

This paper improves augmented mechanism state matrices by replacing joint code with screw system notation. The proposed substitution allows for a more specific description of the joints in the mechanism and the capability to describe both spatial and planar mechanisms. Examples are provided which elucidate the proposed approach.

Configuration Space Analysis And Synthesis Of Planar Variable Kinematic Joints, Brian Slaboch, Philip A. Voglewede

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

No abstract provided.

Study On The Seismic Behavior Of Self-Anchored Suspension Bridges, Wen-Liang Qiu, Chang-Huan Kou, Chin-Sheng Kao, Shih-Wei Ma, Jiun Yang

Journal of Marine Science and Technology

The suspension bridge has a beautiful structural shape and an excellent spanning ability. The self-anchored suspension bridge has its main cables anchored directly on the two ends of the main girders, saving construction costs and time incurred during the anchorage construction of an earth-anchored suspension bridge. However, the feasibility of a self-anchored suspension bridge in a strong earthquake zone and the use of dampers to reduce seismic responses have yet to be fully investigated. Using the Yellow-River Road Bridge in Mainland as an example, this study sets out to analyze and investigate a series of seismic responses of a self-anchored …

An Arc Code To Predict The Thermal Crack Of Welded Sample, Je-Ee Ho

Journal of Marine Science and Technology

In this study, a numerical code with enthalpy method in upwind scheme is proposed to estimate the distribution of thermal stress in the molten pool, which is primarily determined by the type of the input power and travel speed of heating source. To predict the cracker deficit inside the workpiece, a simulated program satisfying the diagonal domination and Scarborough criterion provides a stable iteration. Meanwhile, an experimental performance, operated by robot arm “DR-400” to provide a steady and continuous arc welding, was also conducted to verify the simulated result. By surveying the consistence of molten pool bounded by contrast shade …

Fuzzy Statistical Refinement For The Forecasting Of Tenders For Roadway Construction, Jeng-Wen Lin, Cheng-Wu Chen, Ting-Chang Hsu

Journal of Marine Science and Technology

Due to market competition, construction companies often place low bids when tenders are invited for domestic public construction projects. Over-competition can lead to vicious price wars to win a tender, which can in turn seriously affect the quality of construction. This study aims to establish an accurate Taiwan based model for the forecasting of the tendered price for roadway construction. This model is designed to assist the public sector to determine what would be a reasonable reserve price or award price. In order to ensure accurate predictions, a data classification system is established using fuzzy set theory. For each category …

Studies Of The Effect Of Diffusion-Induced Chloride Binding On Chlorination Life Predictions For Existing Reinforced Concrete Bridges, Ming-Te Liang, Jiang-Jhy Chang, Tung-Wei Yu

Journal of Marine Science and Technology

The chloride ions diffusion is one of important factors of corrosion of reinforced concrete (RC) structures. The total chloride concentration penetrated into concrete can be expressed as the sum of bound and free chloride concentrations. The principal purpose of this paper is to study the chlorination life prediction of existing RC bridges due to chloride binding effect. The investigation method is that the no binding, linear binding, Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherms are substituted into the analytical solutions of linear (diffusivity D = constant) and non-linear (D ≠ constant) diffusion equations associated with initial and boundary conditions, respectively. The chlorination …

A Manifold-Based Exponentially Convergent Algorithm For Solving Non-Linear Partial Differential Equations, Chein-Shan Liu

Journal of Marine Science and Technology

For solving a non-linear system of algebraic equations of the type: Fi(xj) = 0, i, j = 1, …, n, a Newton-like algorithm is still the most popular one; however, it had some drawbacks as being locally convergent, sensitive to initial guess, and time consumption in finding the inversion of the Jacobian matrix ∂Fi /∂xj. Based-on a manifold defined in the space of (xi, t) we can derive a system of non-linear Ordinary Differential Equations (ODEs) in terms of the fictitious time-like variable t, and the residual error is exponentially decreased to zero along the path of x(t) by solving …

Design Of Planning Level Ship Product Model For Ship Initial Design, Sungchul Shin, Soon-Sup Lee, Jong-Kap Lee, Kyung-Ho Lee

Journal of Marine Science and Technology

This paper introduces a design of planning level ship product model (called SPPM hereinafter) based on ISO 10303 Standard for The Exchange of Product Model data (STEP). For the design of this model, the information modeling methodologies such as Integration Definition (IDEF) methods and Unified Modeling Language (UML) were reviewed, and a hybrid method was established. By using this method, ship initial design process was analyzed, and STEP-based information model and class libraries for SPPM were defined. For the data structure of this model, the shipbuilding Application Protocols (AP215, AP216 and Ship Common Model) of STEP were investigated and utilized …

An Automated Lab-On-A-Cd System For Parallel Whole Blood Analyses, Tingjie Li

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Medical diagnostics plays a critical role in human healthcare. Blood analysis is one of the most common clinical diagnostic assays. Biomedical engineers have been developing portable and inexpensive diagnostic tools that enable fast and accurate tests for individuals who have limited resources in places that require such field applications. The emergence of Lab-on-a-CD technology provides a compact centrifugal platform for high throughput blood analysis in point-of-care (POC) diagnostics. The objective of this thesis work is to develop a Lab-on-a-CD system for parallel quantitative detection of blood contents.

Blood separation is a key step in blood analysis. By integrating out-of-plane microvalves …

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.

Adding Autonomic Healing Capabilities To Polyethylene Oxide, Dorina M. Chipara, Maritza Flores, Alma Perez, Nancy Puente, Karen Lozano, Mircea Chipara

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

The addition of autonomic healing (frequently defined as self-healing) capabilities to a water-soluble polymer (polyethylene oxide, PEO) is for the first time reported. The self-healing system consists of urea-formaldehyde microcapsules filled with dicyclopentadiene and first-generation Grubbs catalyst, dispersed within polyethylene oxide. Raman spectroscopy, optical microscopy, electron microscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis were used to characterize this autonomic healing system. Self-healing capabilities were confirmed by mechanical testing (load–displacement, engineering stress–engineering strain, and true stress–true strain dependences) recorded at very slow elongation rates (0.01 mm/s). The testing fate was chosen to allow for the complete consumption of the monomer before fracture (the polymerization …

A Dynamic Model Of A Belt Driven Electromechanical Xy Plotter Cutter, Joseph Prisco, Philip A. Voglewede

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

No abstract provided.

Controller Design And Preliminary Testing Of A Powered Below-Knee Prosthetic Device, Philip A. Voglewede, Jinming Sun

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

No abstract provided.

Laboratory Experiments On Colliding Nonresonant Internal Wave Beams, Sean Paul Smith

Theses and Dissertations

Internal waves are prominent fluid phenomena in both the atmosphere and ocean. Because internal waves have the ability to transfer a large amount of energy, they contribute to the global distribution of energy. This causes internal waves to influence global climate patterns and critical ocean mixing. Therefore, studying internal waves provides additional insight in how to model geophysical phenomena that directly impact our lives. There is a myriad of fluid phenomena with which internal waves can interact, including other internal waves. Equipment and processes are developed to perform laboratory experiments analyzing the interaction of two colliding nonresonant internal waves. Nonresonant …