Operations Research, Systems Engineering and Industrial Engineering Commons^™

Reinforcement-Learning-Based Output-Feedback Control Of Nonstrict Nonlinear Discrete-Time Systems With Application To Engine Emission Control, Peter Shih, Brian C. Kaul, Jagannathan Sarangapani, J. A. Drallmeier

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

A novel reinforcement-learning-based output adaptive neural network (NN) controller, which is also referred to as the adaptive-critic NN controller, is developed to deliver the desired tracking performance for a class of nonlinear discrete-time systems expressed in nonstrict feedback form in the presence of bounded and unknown disturbances. The adaptive-critic NN controller consists of an observer, a critic, and two action NNs. The observer estimates the states and output, and the two action NNs provide virtual and actual control inputs to the nonlinear discrete-time system. The critic approximates a certain strategic utility function, and the action NNs minimize the strategic utility …

Using Abet Assessment Requirements As A Catalyst For Change: Enhancing And Streamlining The Engineering Management Undergraduate Program At Missouri S&T, Stephen A. Raper, Susan L. Murray, Christa Moll Weisbrook, William Daughton

Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The Engineering Management (EM) undergraduate degree program at Missouri University of Science & Technology (formerly University of Missouri-Rolla) was the first program of its kind. The program started over 40 years ago and it is one of only five ABET accredited undergraduate EM programs [1]. The initial degree program included a senior year of management courses in conjunction with three years of courses in common engineering disciplines such as mechanical, electrical, and civil engineering. In the 1990s the program underwent a major restructure and students combined core engineering management classes with an emphasis area inside the department. Industrial, manufacturing, packaging, …

What New Faculty Need To Know, But Don't Know To Ask, Susan L. Murray, Elizabeth A. Cudney, Suzanna Long, Katie Grantham

Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

A smooth transition to life at an academic institution and the surrounding community is essential to the professional careers of new faculty members. The transition begins during the hiring process and startup package negotiations. Once at an institution, aspects of academia including teaching, proposal writing, and the tenure process inevitably generate issues and concerns for new faculty members. Research has shown that mentoring new faculty members early in their academic career can have significant impact on professional success. This is especially true at a research-based institution where the demands of funded scholarship add an extra level of complexity. A survey …

Neural Network Control Of Mobile Robot Formations Using Rise Feedback, Jagannathan Sarangapani, Travis Alan Dierks

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

In this paper, an asymptotically stable (AS) combined kinematic/torque control law is developed for leader-follower-based formation control using backstepping in order to accommodate the complete dynamics of the robots and the formation, and a neural network (NN) is introduced along with robust integral of the sign of the error feedback to approximate the dynamics of the follower as well as its leader using online weight tuning. It is shown using Lyapunov theory that the errors for the entire formation are as and that the NN weights are bounded as opposed to uniformly ultimately bounded stability which is typical with most …

Multi-Objective Stochastic Heuristic Methodology For Tradespace Exploration Of A Network Centric System Of Systems, Atmika Singh, Cihan H. Dagli

Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

System of systems (SoS) architecting techniques rely on traditional, static tools that were designed for classical stove-piped systems. There is a need for tools that can capture the complex adaptive nature of such SoS. An architecture search methodology using genetic algorithms and a fuzzy assessor was applied to the conceptual architecture design of a generic smart grid and a set of architectures with high fitness was obtained. This set of architectures is intended to serve as a starting point for a systems architect to ultimately be able to converge on the best system design. The SoS architecting process has largely …

Using Extensible Modeling In Systems Engineering And Architectural Search, Jason Paul Dauby, Cihan H. Dagli

Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The system architecting process is the hierarchical reduction of ambiguity associated with user needs and system design. Design allocation, and subsequent integration, implicitly requires a mechanism by which levels of detail can be added and removed from a decision scenario. This paper addresses the idea of engineering model sharing through the concept of vertical and horizontal extensibility as one mechanism by which hierarchical reduction in ambiguity can be facilitated. Extensible modeling introduces a systems architecting approach to the modeling community by identifying model interfaces and carefully decomposing the model domain. While the actual system hardware is not known at the …

Public-Private Partnerships In High Risk Transportation Projects, Kiran Rangarajan

Masters Theses

"This research examines Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) between private firms and City of Chamois, Missouri to establish a ferry boat service across the Missouri River. The study illustrates the role of PPPs in managing high risk transportation projects for rural economic development. The research study was designed to accomplish three objectives. First, understand and study the high risk transportation industry which included analyzing other ferry services in and around the region, and identifying potential risks involved in a ferry boat project. Second, study various models of PPPs, identify the attributes of each model and select appropriate models based on local and …

Hydrogen Infrastructure: Resource Evaluation And Capacity Modeling, Kevin B. Martin

Doctoral Dissertations

"A hydrogen economy could offer energy stability, economical, and environmental benefits. Several issues are involved in the design and implementation of a hydrogen economy such as the selection of feedstocks, generation and storage technologies, transportation methods, appropriate equipment capacity, codes/standards and public awareness. The design of a hydrogen infrastructure may seem insurmountable; however, as the system is deconstructed a proper design can be achieved. In order to better understand how a hydrogen system for light duty vehicles might operate, both hydrogen resource and capacity analysis and modeling is conducted. Specifically, an evaluation of leading near term production and distribution technologies …

Communication Models For Monitoring And Mobility Verification In Mission Critical Wireless Networks, Maheswaran Thiagarajan

Masters Theses

"Recent technological advances have seen wireless sensor networks emerge as an interesting research topic because of its ability to realize mission critical applications like in military or wildfire detection. The first part of the thesis focuses on the development of a novel communication scheme referred here as a distributed wireless critical information-aware maintenance network (DWCIMN), which is presented for preventive maintenance of network-centric dynamic systems. The proposed communication scheme addresses quality of service (QoS) issues by using a combination of a head-of-the-line queuing scheme, efficient bandwidth allocation, weight-based backoff mechanism, and a distributed power control scheme. A thorough analysis of …

Adapting Management Strategies To Enter New Global Markets, Karuna Vineetha Vemulapalli

Masters Theses

"With globalization spreading its roots into every country, people from various countries are working together, and will be trying to understand the cultural differences between the organizations in different nations. Effective management of the cultural differences will be an important and competitive advantage. Keeping in mind the different perceptions of the term “Management” by varying cultures, namely United States and India, this research will be focused on understanding and managing these differences.

The proposed research will deal with concepts of cultural diversity, economic differences, intercultural and organizational differences between the two countries. Understanding why some factors like motivation, responsibility, and …

On The Effects Of Small-Scale Fading And Mobility In Mobile Wireless Communication Network, Bandana Paudel

Masters Theses

"In this study, a comprehensive analysis of the impact of mobility on end-to-end performance measures of Mobile Ad Hoc Network is performed by using small-scale fading models. Network simulation is performed in order to study a wide range of phenomena occurring during MANET communication. The effectiveness of three reactive routing protocols against different level of mobility is observed under varying network parameter like the network size, number of nodes and network connectivity. The study reveals that the network sparseness or density favors one or the other routing mechanism under varying mobility. Outcome of the simulation also provides a great deal …

An Analysis Of Lessons Learned And Best Practices From Fuel Cell Applications With An Emphasis On Hydrogen Technology, Clint Alex Cottrell

Masters Theses

"In its review of the Department of Energy's Research Development and Demonstration (RD&D) plan for hydrogen, the National Academies recommended a study of lessons learned from technologies developed for stationary fuel cell power systems. Thus, the motivation for this thesis is to study and identify the lessons learned and best practices from prior stationary fuel cell power programs. To understand how to prepare for this technology, this study conducted a thorough investigation of past stationary alternative power projects to assess the opportunities for future stationary power efforts, and how this information can be used to meet objectives for future fuel …

Project Collaboration In A Distributed Environment, Shriroopa Prabhakar Deshpande

Masters Theses

"This thesis investigates methods of managing projects in an environment where project team members are in different locations. Today, large scale projects undertaken by firms that have a global presence are successfully developed across time, distance, and geographic boundaries. In order to survive in this environment, firms face many project challenges, including diverse employees, various work practices, and communication issues. Many communication issues can be minimized by the proper use of collaborative tools as well as by sharing expertise, coordinating activities, and managing relationships. Web-enabled project management tools have enhanced efforts to increase the quality, competitiveness, and profitability of these …

Preventing Chemical Product Failure, Kenneth Ombete

Masters Theses

"The purpose of this thesis is to demonstrate a research methodology to prevent chemical product failures. This methodology extends the risk in early design (RED) method for prevention of failure in electromechanical products to include products with chemical subsystems. Inclusion of this domain is demanded by the ever-growing semiconductor and energy industries. The RED method was extended by first identifying principal chemical failure modes and adding them to the failure mode taxonomy. The RED database was then augmented with historical failures of products that included chemical subsystems. Finally, the extension was validated with a case study of a fuel cell"--Abstract, …

Feasibility Of A Human Performance Model In Consequence Management, Kashmeera Ghosh

Masters Theses

"Human civilization has always encountered unpredictable disasters as a result of natural events. Now it also faces the disasters caused by terrorist attacks. Governments must have consequence management plans in place to protect public health and safety, restore essential services, and provide emergency relief to affected businesses and individuals. Human performance models predict outcomes in complex dynamic situations. Such models can simulate disaster management procedures under varying circumstances. This work applies human performance modeling in a terrorist situation and evaluates possible uses of such models by first responders in practical consequence management applications. It includes a case study of an …

Development And Use Of Computer Aided Tools To Enhance Team Dynamics With Role Play Simulations, Vachaspathy Kuntamukkala

Masters Theses

"This thesis proposes a methodology for the development and use of computer based tools to enhance student team dynamics. Working effectively in groups cannot be taught in class room environment. Students often encounter conflicts during team meetings. Although some conflicts are resolved by the efforts of team members, an unbiased facilitator who is not a member of the team is often needed to help. This work proposes a tool that uses role play simulations to engage students in real-life scenarios so that they gain a practical, as well as a theoretical, understanding of how to work effectively as a team. …