Operations Research, Systems Engineering and Industrial Engineering Commons^™

Strategic Plan For Industrial And Management Systems Engineering, Paul Savory

Industrial and Management Systems Engineering: Reports

The role of this strategic plan is to map out a range of department goals, offer objectives for achieving each goal, and list potential strategies for meeting an objective. It also lists performance metrics for measuring progress for each goal. Each year, a subset of goals and objectives will be identified by the IMSE department as a priority for the coming year. Detailed metrics for measuring improvement for the department’s priorities areas will then be defined. The department committee to develop the plan consisted of Dr. Paul Savory (committee chair), Dr. Susan Hallbeck, and Dr. Erick Jones.

Reinforcement Learning Based Dual-Control Methodology For Complex Nonlinear Discrete-Time Systems With Application To Spark Engine Egr Operation, Peter Shih, Brian C. Kaul, Jagannathan Sarangapani, J. A. Drallmeier

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

A novel reinforcement-learning-based dual-control methodology adaptive neural network (NN) controller is developed to deliver a desired tracking performance for a class of complex feedback nonlinear discrete-time systems, which consists of a second-order nonlinear discrete-time system in nonstrict feedback form and an affine nonlinear discrete-time system, in the presence of bounded and unknown disturbances. For example, the exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) operation of a spark ignition (SI) engine is modeled by using such a complex nonlinear discrete-time system. A dual-controller approach is undertaken where primary adaptive critic NN controller is designed for the nonstrict feedback nonlinear discrete-time system whereas the secondary …

Dynamic Allocation Of Airline Check-In Counters: A Queueing Optimisation Approach, Mahmut Parlar, Sharafali Moosa

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

This paper was motivated by an observation in an international airport with regard to allocation of resources for check-in counters. In an exclusive check-in counter system, each flight has a dedicated number of counters that will be open until at least a half-hour before the scheduled departure of that flight. Currently, in many of the airports around the world, the decision to open or close check-in counters is done on an ad hoc basis by human schedulers. In doing so, the schedulers are almost always forced to perform a balancing act in meeting the quality of service stipulated by the …

Investigation Of A Photosynthetically Aerated Cathode In A Mfc, Derek Little

All Theses

A microbial fuel cell (MFC) creates an environment that facilitates the conversion of electron donor compounds into electrical current through the oxidizing powers of microbial growth. Within the anode of a MFC bacteria grow oxidizing organic compounds while in the cathode oxygen is reduced. The goal of a MFC is to achieve respiration under anaerobic conditions having electrodes serve as intermediate electron acceptor for bacteria in the anode and shuttle electrons through a circuit to the cathode reducing a terminal electron acceptor.
Waste from the biological production of hydrogen from agricultural peach was explored for use within the anode of …

Randomly Generating Manufacturing Flow Line Models Using Mathematica, Paul Savory

Department of Industrial and Management Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

To test heuristic algorithms and techniques, researchers need numerous datasets so as to measure effectiveness and improve approaches. This paper discusses using Mathematica, a mathematical programming language, for randomly generating the specifications for manufacturing flow line models. Important issues include determining an arrival rate to a flow line, the number of flow line stations, the number of parallel servers for each production station, and specifying the service time distributions and their associated parameters. The paper concludes with a discussion on generating more general types of simulation models.

Modeling Of Fermentation Processes Using Online Kernel Learning Algorithm, Yi Liu

Dr. Yi Liu

No abstract provided.

Adaptive Control Of A Class Of Nonlinear Discrete-Time Systems With Online Kernel Learning, Yi Liu

Dr. Yi Liu

No abstract provided.

Characterization And Compression Properties Of Injection Molded Carbon Nanotube Composites, Grey Curtzwiler, Jay Singh, J. Miltz, Jimmy Doi, Keith Vorst

Industrial Technology and Packaging

Since the development of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in 1991, they have received much attention with improved mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties of their composites compared to common polymer composites. The CNTs are currently used to increase the modulus of common thermoplastics and thermosets, including urethanes and epoxies. The CNTs are difficult to disperse within any media because of limited chemical reactivity and potential agglomeration in their ‘‘as grown’’ state. This study evaluated the effect of incorporating bundled and unbundled CNTs at different concentrations into Polyurethane/CNT/woven fiber reinforced composites. Optical microscopy and atomic force microscopy (AFM) characterized the dispersion of CNTs …

Damping Inter-Area Oscillations By Upfcs Based On Selected Global Measurements, Mahyar Zarghami, Yilu Liu, Jagannathan Sarangapani, Mariesa Crow

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This paper introduces a method of using a selected set of the global data for controlling inter-area oscillations of the power network using unified power flow controllers. This novel algorithm utilizes reduced order observers for estimating the missing data the purpose of control when all the data is unavailable through frequency measurements in a wide area control approach. The paper will also address the problem of time-delay in data acquisition through examples.

Linear Relaxation Techniques For Task Management In Uncertain Settings, Pradeep Varakantham, Stephen F. Smith

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

In this paper, we consider the problem of assisting a busy user in managing her workload of pending tasks. We assume that our user is typically oversubscribed, and is invariably juggling multiple concurrent streams of tasks (or work flows) of varying importance and urgency. There is uncertainty with respect to the duration of a pending task as well as the amount of follow-on work that may be generated as a result of executing the task. The user’s goal is to be as productive as possible; i.e., to execute tasks that realize the maximum cumulative payoff. This is achieved by enabling …

Biology-Inspired Approach For Communal Behavior In Massively Deployed Sensor Networks, Kennie H. Jones

Computer Science Theses & Dissertations

Research in wireless sensor networks has accelerated rapidly in recent years. The promise of ubiquitous control of the physical environment opens the way for new applications that will redefine the way we live and work. Due to the small size and low cost of sensor devices, visionaries promise smart systems enabled by deployment of massive numbers of sensors working in concert. To date, most of the research effort has concentrated on forming ad hoc networks under centralized control, which is not scalable to massive deployments. This thesis proposes an alternative approach based on models inspired by biological systems and reports …

Literature, Principle And The Basics Of Network Value Creation In R&D: The Relationship With Economy, Nader Ale Ebrahim, Shamsuddin Ahmed, Zahari Taha

Nader Ale Ebrahim

The internationalization of R&D network is a recent phenomenon. In this knowledge based environment, the driving forces for this phenomenon are digitization, the internet, and high-speed data networks that are keys to address many of the operational issues from design to logistics and distribution. From the other direction to surviving in the highly competitive industry, requires strategies to collaborate with or compete with suitable firms within a network in the New Product Development process. The growing internationalization of R&D activities challenges multinational corporations (MNCs) to formulate technology strategies and manage increasingly diffuse and diverse networks of R&D laboratories and alliances …

R&D Networking And Value Creation In Smes, Nader Ale Ebrahim, Shamsuddin Ahmed, Zahari Taha

Nader Ale Ebrahim

Research and development (R&D) activities are fundamental drivers of value creation in today’s technology-based Small and Medium enterprises (SMEs). Seemingly, a successful R&D is a task of innovation processes and development of R&D networks with allied companies. There is a perceived lack of understanding regarding the importance of SMEs and their need to continuously enhancing their technological capabilities for the purpose of establishing them in dominant market positions. This article presents R&D network issues from the perspective of their impact on value creation in SMEs. The fundamental trend to enable SMEs towards creation of new knowledge and diffuse in and …

Enhancing Student Learning Through State-Of-The-Art Systems Level Design And Implementation: The Development Of A Lower Division Learning Module, James G. Harris, Dominic Dal Bello, Jianbiao Pan, Albert Liddicoat

Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

The Cal Poly/Allan Hancock team is developing a learning module that will allow all lower division engineering students to design, fabricate, assemble, and test an electronic system implemented on a printed circuit board (PCB). All the services necessary to perform this laboratory experiment will be provided with low-cost vendors available on the . The learning module is being developed so that it can be integrated into the existing electrical engineering lower division courses that are required by all engineering students. The laboratory learning module will use operational amplifiers (op amp), resistors, capacitors and other common electronic components to study the …

Curricular Enhancement To Support Project-Based Learning In Computer And Electrical Engineering, Albert Liddicoat, Jianbiao Pan, James G. Harris, Lynne A. Slivovsky

Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

Undergraduate computer and electrical engineering programs often partition the curriculum into several courses based on related topics taught in isolation. Students are expected to synthesize their knowledge in a senior design project. It is the authors’ experience that students often struggle during their senior design project since they have not gained the appropriate knowledge or mastered necessary skills needed to work on a significant or team-based engineering design project. Specifically, students need to be able to define system requirements, partition the design into subcomponents, design, build, test, and verify that the system requirements have been met. The authors have enhanced …

A Project-Based Electronics Manufacturing Laboratory Course For Lower-Division Engineering Students, Jianbiao Pan, Albert Liddicoat, James G. Harris, Dominic Dal Bello

Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

This paper presents a project-based laboratory course on electronics design and manufacturing. The goal of this course is to provide lower-division engineering students a hands-on experience involving actual printed circuit board (PCB) design, layout, fabrication, assembly, and testing. Through project-based learning, students not only learn technical skills in designing and manufacturing an electronic device, but also develop their project management and communication skills early in their course of study at the university. The course outline and examples of the student projects are presented in this paper as well as project evaluations and students’ feedback. This paper also presents the selection …

How Accurate Is Students’ Self Assessment Of Computer Skills?, Michael A. Collura, Samuel Bogan Daniels

Engineering and Applied Science Education Faculty Publications

Self-evaluation by students is commonly used as a key element in program and course assessment plans. Such instruments are intended to provide crucial feedback for program improvement and thus play a significant role in closing our assessment loop. For many of the program outcomes, self-assessment by current students and graduates augments other, more objective measures. However, for some outcomes there are no practical means of obtaining objective assessment and we must rely on self-assessment. The heavy reliance on this metric begs the question “How accurate is student self-assessment?” This paper provides data from a second-semester engineering course in which students …

Optimization And Characterization Of Biodiesel Production From Cottonseed And Canola Oil, Hem Joshi

All Theses

Transesterification of cottonseed oil and canola oil was carried out using low molecular weight alcohols and potassium hydroxide. For cottonseed oil, a central composite design with eight factorial, six center and six axial points was used to study the effect of catalyst concentration, molar ratio of ethanol to cottonseed oil and reaction temperature on percentage yield and percentage initial absorbance (%A385nm) of the biodiesel. Catalyst concentration and molar ratio of ethanol to cottonseed oil were the most influential variables affecting percentage conversion and percentage initial absorbance. Maximum percentage yield of 98 % is predicted at a catalyst concentration of 1.07 …

Developing A Decision Model For Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization (Jieddo) Proposal Selection, Lyle M. Dawley, Lenore A. Marentee, Alice Marie Long

Theses and Dissertations

This research uses decision analysis to develop a structured, repeatable and most importantly defensible decision model for the evaluation of proposed IED defeat solutions submitted to the Joint IED Defeat Organization (JIEDDO). Additive value models using Value-Focused Thinking (VFT) and the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) are examined as possible methodologies. VFT is determined to be the "best fit" for JIEDDO's decision situation in which proposals are submitted continuously and must be scored independently of previous proposals. VFT is first used to determine desirable qualities in IED defeat options, and then to generate a hierarchal value model to evaluate these qualities …

Contrastación Entre El Asfalto Modificado Con Poliestireno Y Llanta Triturada Empleando Dos Métodos De Mezclado, Ana Sofía Figueroa Infante, Elsa Beatriz Fonseca Santanilla, Claudia Paola Amaya, Martha Rocío Prieto Camelo

Épsilon

Esta investigación presenta una comparación entre el asfalto modificado con poliestireno y llanta triturada empleando dos métodos diferentes de mezclado: manual y dispersor de asfalto. En este trabajo se utilizó asfalto blando de penetración 80/100, producido en la planta de ECOPETROL en Barrancabermeja se emplearon como modificadores dos residuos de polímeros no biodegradables: el grano de caucho reciclado (GCR) y el icopor. Los cuales fueron adicionados en diferentes proporciones para así poder encontrar el porcentaje óptimo para mejorar la respuesta mecánica del asfalto en la mezcla. La modificación en el dispersor permitió el control de la velocidad de mezclado y …

The Effect Of Ventilation And Hand Holes On Loss Of Compression Strength In Corrugated Boxes, Jay Singh, Eric Olsen, S. P. Singh, J. Manley, F. Wallace

Industrial Technology and Packaging

Corrugated packaging is used to package approximately 90% of all products that reach retail store shelves and aisles in the United States. A large number of these corrugated shippers are used to ship fresh produce and perishables through the cold-chain environment that requires these boxes to have venting to permit air circulation. In addition, corrugated boxes for that are large in size and contain heavier products, may have hand holes to facilitate manual handling. The presence of ventilation and hand holes both cause a loss of material in two or more faces of the box. As a result the compression …

Measurement And Analysis Of Truck Transport Environment In Brazil, Giovani Otavio Rissi, Sher Paul Singh, Gary J. Burgess, Jay A. Singh

Industrial Technology and Packaging

Increasing trade in today’s global economy requires packaging to be designed to contain, protect and deliver products without damage during transportation and handling. Vibration forces that occur during transportation are one of the most significant causes of damage during shipping. The objective of this study was to quantify and analyse the vibration that occurs during truck transport in Brazil. The study was done using two types of trucks: small local trucks for local metropolitan distribution areas and larger tractor-trailers for cross-country transportation. Ten metropolitan areas in different regions of Brazil were selected for 1-day trips representing normal delivery. These trips …

Techniques For Developing Large Scale Fuzzy Logic Systems, Jon C. Ervin, Sema E. Alptekin

Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

In this paper, we describe various techniques used to make Intuitionistic Fuzzy Logic Systems amenable to operating on applications with large numbers of inputs. A rule reduction technique known as Combs method is combined with an automated tuning process based on Particle Swarm Optimization. A second stage of tuning on rule weights results in improved performance and further reduction in the size of the rule-base. The entire process has been developed to operate within the Matlab software environment. The technique is tested against the Wisconsin Breast Cancer Database. The use of these tools shows great promise in significantly expanding the …

Acuta Enews June 2008, Vol. 37, No. 6

ACUTA Newsletters

ln This lssue

From the President........ Walt Magnussen, Texas A&M Univ., ACUTA President

Board Report ............Riny Ledgerwood, Son Diego State Univ., ACUTA Secretary/Treasurer

Audio Seminar: Strategic Views of VolP and Staffing

Tech Talk: lf Only Aspirin Worked for Network Headaches.......... Kevin Tanzillo, Dux PR

Renewed Your Membership?

DC Update .........Jeanne Jansenius, Sewanee, The University of the South

More on FERPA Supporting higher education

Making the Most of ACUTA Resources...................... Dave Wirth, Princeton University

Video over lP

Thanks to PAETEC technology

ACUTA Conference Blog

More Green Incentives................................ Gray Audi, Delphi, Inc.

lnfo Links................. Randy Hayes, Univ. of Northern Iowa

Welcome New …

Neural Network Models For Solving The Maximum Flow Problem, S. Effati, M. Ranjbar

Applications and Applied Mathematics: An International Journal (AAM)

In this paper, two new neural network models for solving the maximum flow problem are presented. The maximum flow problem in networks is formulated as a special type of linear programming problem and it is solved by appropriately defined neural networks. The nonlinear neural networks are able to generate optimal solution for maximum flow problem. We solve neural network models by one of the numerical method. Finally, some numerical examples are provided for the sake of illustration.

Public-Private Partnerships For Technology Growth In The Public Sector, F. Lera-Lopez, Scott Erwin Grasman, Javier Faulin

Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Public-private partnerships (PPP) are a mechanism for financing large infrastructure development such as transportation projects, hospitals, schools, and public works facilities. In addition, the benefits of PPP stretch well into the realm of engineering management. Most notably, PPPs provide the opportunity for more efficient project management, proficient risk mitigation, and enhanced technological innovation. This paper provides a general description of the typical PPP process and how this process can be used to improve management of technology in the public sector.

System Of Systems: Power And Paradox, Joseph J. Simpson, Cihan H. Dagli

Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Systems concepts and artifacts provide the basis for enumerable sources of power and wealth in our modern world. Culture, art and science all are based on established systems of behavior, values and thought. The current environment is densely populated with physical system artifacts that are used in every aspect of human life. The ubiquitous nature of existing systems has generated a strong interest in using an existing set of systems as the basis for a system of systems. Further interest in the system-of-systems approach is stimulated by rapid development, deployment and expansion of new and existing systems. While successful system …

Electric Elves: What Went Wrong And Why, Milind Tambe, Emma Bowring, Jonathan Pearce, Pradeep Reddy Varakantham, Paul Scerri, David V. Pynadath

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

Software personal assistants continue to be a topic of significant research interest. This article outlines some of the important lessons learned from a successfully-deployed team of personal assistant agents (Electric Elves) in an office environment. In the Electric Elves project, a team of almost a dozen personal assistant agents were continually active for seven months. Each elf (agent) represented one person and assisted in daily activities in an actual office environment. This project led to several important observations about privacy, adjustable autonomy, and social norms in office environments. In addition to outlining some of the key lessons learned we outline …

Forecasting Flying Hour Costs Of The B-1, B-2, And B-52 Bomber Aircraft, Stefanie L. Van Dyk

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis both evaluates, and presents improvements to, the current method of forecasting flying costs of Air Force aircraft. It uses depot level repairable (DLR) and consumable (CONS) data for the Air Force's bomber platforms: B-1B, B-2, and B-52H. The current forecasting method assumes a proportional relationship between costs and flying hours such that 1) when no hours are flown costs are zero, and 2) a 1% increase in flying hours will increase costs by 1%. The findings of this research indicate that applying log-linear ordinary least squares regression techniques may be an improved fit of flying cost data over …

Analyzing Individual Decision Making Versus Group Decision Making For Alternative Selection, Alper Gezeravci

Theses and Dissertations

Many "real world" decisions are made by groups. It is rare that the responsi- bility for a very important decision is given to a single decision maker with complete authority. Group decision making adds both advantages to the process as well as disadvantages. This research examines the question: "Are decisions made by groups really that much different from the decisions made by individuals in the group?" A specific case study involving the selection of the best primary training aircraft type for military pilot training is used to examine this question. Fifteen military pilots with various backgrounds and experience levels participate …