Mechanical Engineering Commons^™

Gaskinetic Modeling On Dilute Gaseous Plume Impingement Flows, Chunpei Cai

Michigan Tech Publications

This paper briefly reviews recent work on gaseous plume impingement flows. As the major part of this paper, also included are new comprehensive studies on high-speed, collisionless, gaseous, circular jet impinging on a three-dimensional, inclined, diffuse or specular flat plate. Gaskinetic theories are adopted to study the problems, and several crucial geometry-location and velocity-direction relations are used. The final complete results include impingement surface properties such as pressure, shear stress, and heat flux. From these surface properties, averaged coefficients of pressure, friction, heat flux, moment over the entire flat plate, and the distance from the moment center to the flat …

Energy Optimization And Fuel Economy Investigation Of A Series Hybrid Electric Vehicle Integrated With Diesel/Rcci Engines, Ali Solouk, Mahdi Shahbakhti

Michigan Tech Publications

Among different types of low temperature combustion (LTC) regimes, eactively controlled compression ignition (RCCI) has received a lot of attention as a promising advanced combustion engine technology with high indicated thermal efficiency and low nitrogen oxides ( NOx" role="presentation" style="box-sizing: border-box; max-height: none; display: inline; line-height: normal; word-spacing: normal; overflow-wrap: normal; white-space: nowrap; float: none; direction: ltr; max-width: none; min-width: 0px; min-height: 0px; border: 0px; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; position: relative;">NOx ) and particulate matter (PM) emissions. In this study, an RCCI engine for the purpose of fuel economy investigation is incorporated in series hybrid electric vehicle (SHEV) architecture, …

Mitigation Of The Impact Of High Plug-In Electric Vehicle Penetration On Residential Distribution Grid Using Smart Charging Strategies, Chong Cao, Luting Wang, Bo Chen

Michigan Tech Publications

Vehicle electrification presents a great opportunity to reduce transportation greenhouse gas emissions. The greater use of plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs), however, puts stress on local distribution networks. This paper presents an optimal PEV charging control method integrated with utility demand response (DR) signals to mitigate the impact of PEV charging to several aspects of a grid, including load surge, distribution accumulative voltage deviation, and transformer aging. To build a realistic PEV charging load model, the results of National Household Travel Survey (NHTS) have been analyzed and a stochastic PEV charging model has been defined based on survey results. The residential …

Mechanics Of Soft Polymers, Trisha Sain

TechTalks

Understanding the mechanics and physics of soft polymers are essential due to their widespread applications across disciplines. (e.g.-composite materials, bio mechanics, soft robotics etc.) The soft polymers in general inherent lightweight, high stretchability, extreme viscous damping and stimuli responsive behavior. Development of computational modeling strategy to predict their constitutive response, stimuli responsive behavior is indeed helpful for designing novel multifunctional soft composites, artificial mussels/tissues. In this talk I will briefly emphasize how we are developing multiscale-multiphysics based modeling methods for soft polymers to understand their macroscopic deformation mechanism, failure and other mechanical properties. The long term goal is to develop …

Aps Labs (Advanced Power Systems Research Center), Jeffrey D. Naber

TechTalks

Our mission is to promote & facilitate education and research in clean, efficient, and sustainable power and powertrain systems. The center was established in 2007 and in 2014 the 55,000 sq ft APSRC building located near the airport was denoted as a MTU core facility. Our new research contracts in FY2016 were over $2.5M. Our partners include automotive OEMs: GM, Ford, FCA, Toyota, Honda; Commercial OEMs: Cummins, Deere, Detroit, Isuzu, MHI; Suppliers: Delphi, Denso, Borg Warner, Hitachi; and DOE Labs: ANL, ORNL, PNNL, SNL, & INL. We have seven staff to assist in educational and R&D programs and facilities to …

Me-Em Enewsbrief, December 2016, Department Of Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics, Michigan Technological University

Department of Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics eNewsBrief

No abstract provided.

Two-Phase Transport In Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells, Kazuya Tajiri

TechTalks

In Multiscale Transport Process Laboratory our research is focused on the experimental and computational analysis of transport phenomena in electrochemical devices and propulsion systems. In this talk our research activity on proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) for automotive application will be explained. Water management is one of the most critical issues in PEMFCs. The water generated in catalyst layer as a product of the electrochemical reaction needs to be removed through porous media by diffusion if it’s vapor, or by capillarity in case of liquid. In flow channels, the liquid water is removed primarily by inertial force of the …

Solid State Sound: A "Hot" Topic, Andrew Barnard

TechTalks

As seen with the latest iPhone 7 release, traditional audio components can now be a limiting factor in technology design. What if we could make a loudspeaker with no moving parts and virtually no weight? Carbon nanotube loudspeakers are such devices. They create sound using heat oscillations, as opposed to a moving diaphragm. They have the thickness of only a handful of carbon atoms, are flexible and stretchable. In this TechTalk I’ll discuss the carbon nanotube loudspeaker and the design challenges in maturing this intriguing technology.

Wearable Electronics, Human-Centered Monitoring, Ye Sarah Sun

TechTalks

Non-contact solution in wearable electronics: A conventional clinical system requires the use of wet electrodes that are in contact with skin using conductive gel to acquire physiological signals. Those systems can acquire high quality signals but may not be feasible for a long-term purpose due to the skin irritation and allergic contact dermatitis. The emerging of human-centered monitoring calls for alternative solutions. Recent technological advances enable capacitive measurement that can acquire signals through cloth or even with an air gap in wearable condition. In this TechTalk I will introduce the non-contact solution in wearable electronics.

Two-Temperature Dual-Phase-Lags Theory In A Thermoelastic Solid Half-Space Due To An Inclined Load, Ashraf M. Zenkour, Ahmed E. Abouelregal, Khaled A. Alnefaie, Nidal H. Abu-Hamdeh, Abdulmalik A. Aljinaidi, Elias C. Aifantis

Michigan Tech Publications

This article addresses the thermoelastic interaction due to inclined load on a homogeneous isotropic half-space in context of two-temperature generalized theory of thermoelasticity with dual-phase-lags. It is assumed that the inclined load is a linear combination of both normal and tangential loads. The governing equations are solved by using the normal mode analysis. The variations of the displacement, stress, conductive temperature, and thermodynamic temperature distributions with the horizontal distance have been shown graphically. Results of some earlier workers have also been deduced from the present investigation as special cases. Some comparisons are graphically presented to estimate the effects of the …

Improving Automated Global Detection Of Volcanic So2 Plumes Using The Ozone Monitoring Instrument (Omi), Verity Flower, Thomas Oommen, Simon Carn

Michigan Tech Publications

Volcanic eruptions pose an ever-present threat to human populations around the globe, but many active volcanoes remain poorly monitored. In regions where ground-based monitoring is present the effects of volcanic eruptions can be moderated through observational alerts to both local populations and service providers such as air traffic control. However, in regions where volcano monitoring is limited satellite-based remote sensing provides a global data source that can be utilized to provide near real time identification of volcanic activity. This paper details the development of an automated volcanic plume detection method utilizing daily, global observations of sulphur dioxide (SO2) by the …

Exergy Study On The Effect Of Material Parameters And Operating Conditions On The Anode Diffusion Polarization Of The Sofc, Khalid Zouhri, Seong Young Lee

Michigan Tech Publications

In the presented work, a model is created in order to investigate the effect of different material parameters and operating conditions on the anode diffusion overpotential, which influence the exergy and energy efficiency of the solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC). In this research, it was demonstrated that the anode material parameters and operating conditions of the device components such as porosity, tortuosity, pore diameter, temperature, pressure and current density of the anode have various effects on the anode diffusion overpotential, which consequently affect the exergy and energy efficiency of the SOFC. The model has provided a strong direction on how …

Me-Em 2015-16 Annual Report, Department Of Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics, Michigan Technological University

Department of Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics Annual Reports

Table of Contents

• Alumni: Leading with Simulation
• Education: Simulating the Future
• Faculty: Advancing Simulation
• Graduate Seminar Series
• Enrollment & Degrees
• Graduates
• Department News
• Faculty & Staff
• Alumni
• Donors
• Contracts & Grants
• Patents & Publications

Design Features And Optimization Of Profile Extrusion Dies, Abhishek Sai Erri Pradeep

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

This report deals with design of dies used in the plastic extrusion industry. The design methodology for extrusion dies has evolved over the years with advancement of computing technology. However, the design process is still heavily dependent on the experience of the die designer, and hence is still considered to be more of an art than science. Even for an experienced designer, the time required to design the die and perform consecutive fine tuning iterations is high. In this report, a proprietary optimization code for extrusion dies, .developed by Plastic Flow LLC, was tested and shown to be advantageous over …

Integration And Testing Of An Advanced Conformable Cng Tank In A Full-Sized Light-Duty Pickup, Abayomi Famuyiwa

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Michigan Technological University is collaborating with Southwestern Energy and REL Inc. to develop and integrate a compressed natural gas (CNG) matrix tank that enables efficient packaging, increases range, and reduced cost for CNG vehicle applications. The vehicle being used in this project is a light-duty pickup truck to take advantage of the open space underneath the body and bed of the vehicle. With today’s cylindrical CNG tanks consuming cargo space, a solution is to develop a tank capable of being shaping to the underbody of the truck to free cargo space. University faculty and graduate students utilizes Finite Element Analysis …

An Experimental Investigation Of Low Temperature Combustion Regimes In A Light Duty Engine, Kaushik Kannan

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

A continuous investigation on the improvement of internal combustion engines is necessary due to the stringent emission and fuel economy regulations. Low Temperature Combustion (LTC) is a promising field of research since it can simultaneously reduce NOx and soot while attaining high thermal efficiencies in automotive engines. A thorough study of several LTC regimes is necessary to understand the quantitative comparison and the extent of feasibility of these regimes functioning on an automotive engine. This thesis concentrates on an experimental investigation of three different LTC modes namely Homogeneously Charged Compression Ignition (HCCI), Partially Premixed Compression Ignition (PPCI) and Reactivity Controlled …

An Assessment Of The Validity Of The Kinetic Model For Liquid-Vapor Phase Change By Examining Cryogenic Propellants, Kishan Bellur

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Evaporation is ubiquitous in nature and occurs even in a microgravity space envi- ronment. Long term space missions require storage of cryogenic propellents and an accurate prediction of phase change rates. Kinetic theory has been used to model and predict evaporation rates for over a century but the reported values of accommodation coefficients are highly inconsistent and no accurate data is available for cryogens. The proposed study involves a combined experimental and computational approach to ex- tract the accommodation coefficients. Neutron imaging is used as the visualization technique due to the difference in attenuation between the cryogen and the metallic …

Design Of A Mobile Underwater Charging System, Brian R. Page

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) are extremely capable vehicles for numerous ocean related missions. AUVs are energy limited, resulting in short mission endurance on the scale of hours to days. Underwater Gliders (UGs) are able to operate on the order of months to years by using nontraditional propulsion methods. UGs, however, are unable to perform missions requiring high speed or direct forward motion due to the nature of their buoyancy driven motion. This work reviews the current state of the art in recharging AUVs and offers an underwater recharging network concept at a significantly reduced cost to traditional methods. The solution …

Air Charge Estimation For An Si Engine Using In-Cylinder Pressure Sensor, Arya Yazdani

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

An accurate estimation of cycle by cycle in-cylinder mass and the composition of the combustion chamber charge is required for engine control strategies to meet stringent pollution emission and fuel consumption regulations. Estimation of fresh charge and residual gas masses is beneficial in terms of fuel efficiency, tailpipe emissions, engine performance, for engine control strategies. Air-flow meter, which is mounted in the intake air circuit, can be utilized in a closed-loop strategy to control air charge. However, air flow meter has a response delay; moreover dynamics of intake manifold and pipes must be taken into consideration to improve the estimation …

Experimental Investigation Of Fast Pyrolysis Of Arundo Donax In A Novel Paddle Reactor, Chintan Desai

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

The main objective of this research was to show the effectiveness of a novel paddle reactor for fast pyrolysis and study the effect of biomass particle size and reaction temperature of Arundo Donax a type of energy crop on the bio-oil yields. The novel paddle reactor showed effective mixing and heat transfer which were proved with the help of studying the residence time and the heating characteristics of the system respectively. The effect of different biomass particle sizes on the bio-oil yield was not significant, the bio-oil yield was approximately 50% for all the sizes. For Arundo Donax particle sizes …

Low Temperature Split Injection Spray Combustion: Ignition, Flame Stabilization And Soot Formation Characteristics In Diesel Engine Conditions, Ahmed Abdul Moiz

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

The aim of the PhD work is to investigate the fundamental differences in combustion behavior when split injections are used in low temperature combustion regime. In this thesis, the first injection is also called as pilot injection and second injection is also called as main injection. The broad aspects which are studied encompassing the investigation is to study the ignition delay, lift-off and soot formation of such a double split spray combustion. The mechanisms of ignition, lift-off and soot production are to be studied since the main ignition and lift-off were found to differ from the pilot which effect net …

An Experimental Investigation Of The Effect Of Temperature And Space Velocity On The Performance Of A Cu-Zeolite Flow-Through Scr And A Scr Catalyst On A Dpf With And Without Pm Loading, Vaibhav Kadam

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Abstract The heavy-duty diesel (HDD) engines use the diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC), catalyzed particulate filter (CPF) and urea injection based selective catalytic reduction (SCR) systems in sequential combination, to meet the US EPA 2010 PM and NOₓ emission standards. The SCR along with a NH₃ slip control catalyst (AMOX) offer NOₓ reduction >90 % with NH₃ slipHowever, there is a strong desire to further improve the NOₓ reduction performance of such systems, to meet the California Optional Low NOₓ Standard implemented since 2015. Integrating SCR functionality into a diesel particulate filter (DPF), by coating the SCR catalyst on the DPF, …

Methodology For Analyzing Epoxy-Cnt Phononic Crystals For Wave Attenuation And Guiding, Madhu Kolati

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Phononic crystals (PhnCs) control, direct and manipulate sound waves to achieve wave guiding and attenuation. This dissertation presents methodology for analyzing nanotube materials based phononic crystals to achieve control over sound, vibration and stress mitigation. Much of the analytical work presented is in identifying frequency band gaps in which sound or vibration cannot propagate through these PhnCs. Wave attenuation and mitigation analysis is demonstrated using finite element simulation. Engineering principles from current research areas of solid mechanics, solid-state physics, elasto-dynamics, mechanical vibrations and acoustics are employed for the methodology. A considerable effort is put to show that these PhnCs can …

A Nocsae Drop Test/ 3d-Fem Study On The Relationship Between Kinematic Response Of The Head, Head Impact Contact Pressure (Hicp) And Kinetic Response Of The Brain To Delineate The Risk Of Traumatic Brain Injuries (Tbi)., Raghavendra Krishna Tej Bhamidipati

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

How many times have you seen a person slip and fall down and had a good laugh about it? How many times we slip and fall down on the floor and got up and walked away thinking everything is normal? Probably we might wonder “Are drops which occur at a small height dangerous?” Yes, they can be. Brain injuries are main reason for the fatality in youth [1], and low level falls are one of the most neglected and understated injuries.

The main objective of this study is to study the response of the brain for low level falls from …

Incorporating Driver’S Behavior Into Predictive Powertrain Energy Management For A Power-Split Hybrid Electric Vehicle, Lei Feng

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

The goal of this series of research is to advance hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) energy management by incorporating driver’s driving behavior and driving cycle information. To reduce HEV fuel consumption, the objectives of this research are divided into the following three parts.

The first part of the research investigates the impact of driver’s behavior on the overall fuel efficiency of a hybrid electric vehicle and the energy efficiency of individual powertrain components under various driving cycles. Between the sticker number fuel economy and actual fuel economy, it is well known that a noticeable difference occur when a driver drives aggressively. …

Restraint System Design And Evaluation For Military Specific Applications, Sebastian Karwaczynski

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

This research focuses on designing an optimal restraint system for usage in a military vehicle applications. The designed restraint system must accommodate a wide range of DHM’s and ATD’s with and without PPE such as: helmet, boots, and body armor. The evaluation of the restraint systems were conducted in a simulated vehicle environment, which was utilized to downselect the ideal restraint system for this program.

In December of 2011 the OCP TECD program was formulated to increase occupant protection. To do this, 3D computer models were created to accommodate the entire Soldier population in the Army. These models included the …

On The Aerodynamic Properties Of Slotted-Flap Flow-Control Devices For Wind Turbine Applications, Muraleekrishnan Menon Menon Muraleedharan Nair

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Wind energy is growing at a fast pace and utility-scale wind turbines growing in size with increasing rotor diameters. To sustain development of up-scaled wind turbines of tomorrow there is a need for innovation in load control methodologies. This thesis research targets an assessment of the aerodynamic properties of airfoil sections specifically intended for wind turbine applications, featuring them with flow-control devices. The use of fractional chord trailing-edge flaps as slotted-flap devices on aerodynamically active parts of a turbine blade were studied. As modular devices attached externally on existing blade designs, they comfortably form a cost-effective means for active load …

Simulation Of Scalability For Autonomous Mobile Microgrids, Nathan Beyers

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Microgrids are small-scale, decentralized systems for generation, storage, and management of electricity to provide power within a local area. By establishing these microgrids using autonomous robots, they can be made safer and more easily reconfigurable. This thesis presents a plan and outlines the infrastructure needed for scaling up previous experimental work on such systems. This work brings together a variety of tools in the form of both software and hardware to set the stage for how further development can be completed. An architecture for physical testing has been built to validate the full potential of navigation and making electrical connections …

Comparison Of Ignition Delays And Liquid Penetrations Of Jp-8, Synthetic Jp-8, And A Jp-8 Surrogate Under Diesel Engine Conditions, Kyle Yeakle

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

The U.S. Army and many NATO affiliates have adopted a ‘one fuel forward fuel policy’ (OFF). The goal of the OFF policy is reducing the logistics and cost involved with providing fuel for military vehicles. With this policy, the logical choice fuel is military grade jet petroleum, JP-8, because of the fuel constraints of turbo-jet engines. This requirement has made it necessary to run military compression ignited engines on JP-8. To reduce the Army’s reliance on petroleum based fuels an alternative fuel, synthetic JP-8, derived from coal and made in the Fischer-Tropsch production method is allowed to be blended up …

Shear Driven Suppressed Nucleation Annular Flow-Boiling In Millimeter-Scale Channels: Direct Numerical Simulations, Sharayu Bhasme

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Many contemporary high heat-flux cooling applications are facilitated by mm-scale flow-boilers that operate in the steady annular suppressed nucleation regime (i.e., a thin evaporating liquid film flow covers the heated boiling-surface).

For such cases, this thesis presents a direct numerical simulation (DNS) approach. The steady algorithm and its accuracy are discussed. Representative detailed solutions for annular flow-boiling of FC-72 in a horizontal channel are presented.