Aerospace Engineering Commons^™

Study Of A Multi-Agent Containment Problem Under Communication Constraints And Defense From Malicious Agents, Braulio Mora

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Theses - Archive

This thesis investigates a multi-agent containment problem where a fast evader, moving at a constant speed and heading, attempts to escape a circular containment region. A team of slow pursuers possess a nonzero capture radius and seek to capture the evader before escape. The research addresses two primary scenarios: one involving the team of pursuers, with no communication network, being constrained to the edge of the containment region, and the second involving a team of pursuers, with a communication network, not being constrained to the edge of the containment region. Both scenarios study the influence of malicious agents in the …

Nonlinear Guidance And Control Of Unmanned Aerial Manipulators For Delivering A Payload On A Moving Platform, Ravi Gyawali

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Theses - Archive

Unmanned Aerial manipulators (UAMs) are a class of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) equipped with a manipulator. By combining the aerial mobility of a UAV with a manipulator's dexterity, these hybrid systems can perform a wide range of complex tasks while reducing risks and costs. As a result, they are increasingly being utilized for military, industrial, and agricultural applications.

The thesis presents a novel approach for a multi-UAM system to collaboratively deliver a payload on a stationary or maneuvering platform. A sliding-mode-based guidance law, sourced from existing literature, is integrated with a combined control technique for the UAVs and their respective …

Image-Based Thermal And Mechanical Analysis Of Polymers, Yukti Shinglot

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Theses - Archive

In recent years, application of polymers have rapidly expanded across industries due to their versatility, cost-effectiveness, and adaptability to diverse manufacturing techniques, including 3D printing. Innovations in PolyJet technology enable the creation of complex geometries with tailored color combinations, transparency, and flexibility, broadening applications in medical, aerospace, and automotive sectors. Advances in processing viscoelastic rubbers like PDMS (Polydimethylsiloxane) have further enhanced its mechanical properties, expanding its use in biomedical devices and electronic components. However, polymers are susceptible to complex deformation and failure under thermal and mechanical stresses, which can impact their performance and safety. This research examines the thermal behavior …

Thermal Damage And Mechanical Failure Analysis Of Polymers, Tina Ko

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Theses - Archive

As the demand for more intricate and precise components increases, polymers continue to stand out for their flexibility, durability, and adaptability across numerous applications. From aerospace to biomedical engineering industries, polymers are valued for their versatility and customizability, enabling the creation of complex geometries or achieving specific material properties. Since polymers are widely used, analyzing their thermal and mechanical properties is essential to understand their behavior under high-energy exposure or defects. Two types of polymers were analyzed: Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and 3D-printed digital materials. This thesis investigates the mechanical and thermal response of polymers through two distinct studies. The first part …

Dynamics Of Separated Flows In Diffusers With Vortex Generators, Sandeep Eldho James

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Dissertations - Archive

Flow through curved diffusers is complicated due to the possibility of flow separation and secondary flows. Vortex generators (VGs) are a class of passive flow separation control devices used to improve the flow quality in curved diffusers by suppressing flow separation. However, the literature review demands an in-depth investigation on the physical mechanisms related to flow separation control. Thus, this study aims to improve the understanding of the underlying flow physics associated with VG-induced flow separation control in confined flows. The chosen geometry for this study is a well-documented asymmetric diffuser which exhibits a mild flow separation.

The theoretical formulation …

Generating Blood Analog For Laser Induced Fluorescent Particle Image Velocimetry, Chungyiu Ma, Jared Chong, Hang Yi, Zifeng Yang, Luke Bramlage, Bryan Ludwig

Mechanical and Materials Engineering Faculty Publications

To mimic blood non-Newtonian viscosity features under designated temperatures from 305 to 315 K, transparent blood analogs were generated by the mixture of xanthan gum and deionized water with fluorescent particles for laser induced fluorescent particle image velocimetry.

Graphene Reinforced Polymer Composite For Small-Scale Vertical Axis Wind Turbine Rotors, Kunal A. Bachim

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Theses - Archive

Polymers have evolved as an indispensable asset in various sectors ranging from packaging and construction to energy and aerospace. However, the accumulation of polymer waste poses a necessity to shift toward sustainable waste management processes. Mechanical recycling is a primary method in establishing a circular economy approach for polymers. However, a fundamental challenge arises in this process: a decrease in the mechanical performance of the recycled product compared to that of its pristine counterpart.

This project addresses the challenge of enhancing the recyclability of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) from discarded polymer material by incorporating graphene nanoparticles into the polymer matrix during …

Repurposing The United Nations Trusteeship Council To Govern The Establishment Of Outer Space Settlements, Andrew Wulf

Northwestern Journal of International Law & Business

Current existing international law and treaties on outer space do not address or regulate private actors’ property claims or human settlements in outer space. American companies such as SpaceX and Blue Origin, as well as countries like the United States, Russia, and China, are seeking to create colonies on the Moon and Mars. However, there is no international legal authority to allow or regulate this. In order to legitimize and control this impending outgrowth of human settlements, this paper proposes that the U.N. Trusteeship Council be repurposed to govern non-state actors’ claims of outer space property.

First, this paper explains …

A New Trajectory In Uav Safety: Leveraging Reinforcement Learning For Distance Maintenance Under Wind Variations, Xiaolin Xu, Jeffrey Sun

Journal of Aviation/Aerospace Education & Research

In the field of aviation, safety is a critical cornerstone, and the operation of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) systems is deeply connected with this principle. A thorough analysis and rigorous simulation and testing of aircraft systems are essential to avoid severe safety hazards. This paper delves into the safety issue in UAV operations, specifically regarding maintaining minimum safety distances under fluctuating wind conditions. The study introduces a novel solution based on a Deep Deterministic Policy Gradient (DDPG) model, a reinforcement learning method. The DDPG model was trained using a simulated environment created through the Gazebo simulator, with values for wind …

A Review Of Dielectric Barrier Discharge Cold Atmospheric Plasma For Surface Sterilization And Decontamination, Kolawole Adesina, Ta Chun Lin, Yue-Wern Huang, Marek Locmelis, Daoru Frank Han

Biological Sciences Faculty Research & Creative Works

Numerous investigations have shown that non-equilibrium discharges at atmospheric pressure, also known as "cold atmospheric plasma" (CAP) are efficient to remove biological contaminants from surfaces of a variety of materials. Recently, CAP has quickly advanced as a technique for microbial cleaning, wound healing, and cancer therapy due to the chemical and biologically active radicals it produces, known collectively as reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS). This article reviews studies pertaining to one of the atmospheric plasma sources known as Dielectric Barrier Discharge (DBD) which has been widely used to treat materials with microbes for sterilization, disinfection, and decontamination purposes. To …

3d Flow Field Quantification In An Artery Model Using Optical Flow Method Based On Simulated Multi-Angle Angiography, Zifeng Yang, Hang Yi, Luke Bramlage, Bryan Ludwig

Mechanical and Materials Engineering Faculty Publications

3D flow field in a numerically simulated arterial model is quantified using the three-dimensional optical flow method based on simulated simultaneous multi-angle X-ray angiography of the blood flow with contrast agent perfusions.

A Pade-Eno Flux Reconstruction For High-Speed Flows, Blake Martin

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

The development of high order numerical schemes has been instrumental in advancing computational fluid dynamics (CFD), particularly for applications requiring high resolution of discontinuities and complex flow phenomena prevalent in high-speed flows. This thesis introduces the Pade-ENO scheme, a high-order method that integrates Essentially Non-Oscillatory (ENO) techniques with compact Pade stencils to achieve superior accuracy, up to 7th order, while maintaining stability in harsh environments. The scheme’s performance is evaluated through benchmark tests, including the advection equation, Burgers’ equation, and the Euler equations. For high Mach number flows, such as the sod shock tube the Pade-ENO method demonstrates its ability …

A Concept Of Producing Aluminum In-Situ On The Moon Through Molten Salt Electrolysis, Jacob N. Ortega, Jeffrey Smith, Fateme Rezaei, David Bayless, William Schonberg, Daniel Stutts, Daoru Han

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This paper presents a concept of producing aluminum in-situ on the lunar surface, namely, the Lunar In-Situ Aluminum Production through Molten Salt Electrolysis (LISAP-MSE) method developed at Missouri University of Science and Technology. This paper aims to demonstrate the use of electro-deoxidation to reduce aluminum oxide (i.e., alumina) into aluminum and oxygen gas via electrolysis in a molten salt bath for the production of aluminum on the Moon. It is shown that with a steady supply of hydrogen chloride, this in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) method could supply several necessary materials consumed in the electro-deoxidation process except hydrogen chloride to produce …

Magnetic Separation Of Lunar Regolith Simulants With Applications To In Situ Resource Utilization On The Moon, Peter Bachle, Jeffrey Smith, Fateme Rezaei, David Bayless, William Schonberg, Daoru Han

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The development of in situ resource utilization (ISRU) for metal extraction is imperative as a steppingstone for habitation construction in lunar and non-terrestrial environments. Separation of minerals by chemical composition is important to optimize metal and oxygen liberation from lunar ore. To this effect, devices capable of separating aluminum bearing minerals from iron-bearing minerals from the lunar regolith simulants have been developed. Twenty-eight different simulants have been used in this study. A dual-belt separator was designed to reduce middling. Para-magnetic minerals were reliably separated using a neodymium N52-magnet-separator system. Effective separation of aluminum-bearing minerals from iron-bearing minerals was greater than …

Phenolic Polymer Infiltration And Pyrolysis Process For Additively Manufactured Carbon/Peek Composites To Produce Carbon–Carbon Composites, S. Weiler, H. A. Haffner, K. Chandrashekhara, J. Watts, G. E. Hilmas, J. Bayldon, L. M. Rueschhoff

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Carbon–carbon composites are carbon fibers reinforced with carbon matrix and are classified as advanced materials well suited for high-temperature structural applications. Carbon–carbon composites are characterized by maintaining excellent mechanical properties and structural stability at high temperatures and have been used in aerospace application as nozzles, heatshields, and leading edge. However, conventional methods to manufacture carbon–carbon composites are costly and time-consuming. the aim of this work is to develop a method for creating additively manufactured (AM) carbon–carbon composites using a high-pressure re-infiltration process. in doing so, less infiltration cycles are required compared to a low-pressure re-infiltration, reducing the total manufacture time. …

Modeling Human Strategy For Flattening Wrinkled Cloth Using Neural Networks, Nilay Kant, Ashrut Aryal, Rajiv Ranganathan, Ranjan Mukherjee, Charles Owen

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This paper explores a novel approach to model strategies for flattening wrinkled cloth learning from humans. A human participant study was conducted where the participants were presented with various wrinkle types and tasked with flattening the cloth using the fewest actions possible. A camera and Aruco marker were used to capture images of the cloth and finger movements, respectively. The human strategies for flattening the cloth were modeled using a supervised regression neural network, where the cloth images served as input and the human actions as output. Before training the neural network, a series of image processing techniques were applied, …

New Testing Capabilities Of The Missouri University Of Science And Technology Supersonic Wind Tunnel, Joshua Gary, Davide Viganò

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The development of non-intrusive, laser-based diagnostic techniques has significantly enhanced supersonic experimental aerodynamics, enabling the measurement of many parameters in complex flow fields. Among these techniques, Tomographic Particle Image Velocimetry, capable of measuring 3 components of velocity in 3-dimensional volumes, is now available at the Aerodynamics Research Laboratory of the Missouri University of Science and Technology. To integrate this new system into the university's supersonic wind tunnel, a redesigned nozzle, test section, and diffuser have been implemented. The upgraded modular test section features 4 large ports which can be configured with windows for optical diagnostics or lead plates for model …

Sensor Tasking For Low Earth Orbit Objects: Leveraging Space Sensor Data For Ground-Based Optical Observations, Smriti Nandan Paul, Hang Woon Lee

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Because of recent advancements in space technologies, easier and more economical access to space, and an increase in commercial interests, the near-Earth space environment has witnessed an exploding number of objects being put into orbit. In particular, the low Earth orbit (LEO) region is at an increased risk of orbital collisions from large satellite constellation projects. Thus, monitoring LEO objects for space situational awareness and space traffic management has become increasingly imperative. In this paper, we use the concept of limited-CDF (cumulative distribution function) surface and mutual information for designing sensor tasking algorithms focusing on regular observation of known catalog …

Sensor Tasking Strategies For Space-Based Observers In The Cislunar Environment, Smriti Nandan Paul, Roshan Thomas Eapen, Puneet Singla

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The cislunar space environment has witnessed an increase in activities, and future projections indicate significant growth in object population. Consequently, it becomes crucial to monitor these objects for space domain awareness (SDA) purposes. As the number of objects surpasses the available observers, meticulous sensor tasking becomes essential. This paper focuses on designing and exploring strategies for observing and keeping custody of known objects in cislunar space. Optical space-based telescopes, combined with lunar ground-based telescope, are employed for sensor tasking of cislunar objects residing in valuable orbits. The proposed research aims to address the following key points: (1) examination of the …

Damage Initiation Of 15v38 Steel Bar During Square-To-Round Hot Rolling Process, Siva Sai Krishna Dasari, Henry Adekola Haffner, K. Chandrashekhara, Mario F. Buchley, Simon N. Lekakh, Ronald J. O'Malley

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Hot rolling processes have been extensively used to produce round bars by reducing the cross-sectional area of continuously cast steel. The current trend toward increasing productivity often requires a more aggressive reduction per pass. Establishing safe and optimized hot rolling parameters must be determined to avoid damage while deforming the specific steel composition. Understanding the damage mechanism during the metal forming process is vital for product quality. Herein, a combined experimental and simulation approach is developed to track the evolution potential damage during hot bar rolling. Hot tension tests are conducted on as-cast vanadium micro alloyed 15V38 steel at different …