Areosense,
2026
The University of Akron
Areosense, Josephine Turney
Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects
The AeroSense growing system is designed to make indoor aeroponic gardening easy and accessible for everyone. By combining sensors, automation, and AI, the system can monitor and adjust humidity, lighting, and nutrient levels to help plants thrive without requiring expert knowledge. The goal is to create a self-regulating garden that takes the guesswork out of growing fresh herbs and vegetables at home. The project involves building a working aeroponic prototype equipped with misters, pumps, and environmental sensors, all managed by a Raspberry Pi. Using computer vision and machine learning, AeroSense will be able to assess plant health and respond automatically …
Effect Of Ionic Strength On Gelation Time And Strength Of Amps-Based Polymer Gels,
2026
Missouri University of Science and Technology
Effect Of Ionic Strength On Gelation Time And Strength Of Amps-Based Polymer Gels, Maryam Sharifi Paroushi, Xuyang Tian, Baojun Bai, Thomas P. Schuman, Yin Zhang, Mingzhen Wei
Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works
Polymer gel treatment has been widely applied for improving sweep efficiency and controlling excessive water and gas production. Their performance depends on gelation time and final gel strength. In most studies, brine salinity is used to describe the effect of formation water on gel behavior. However, changing salinity also changes ionic strength and ion composition at the same time. Because of this coupling, it is difficult to identify the mechanisms controlling gelation, which has led to inconsistent trends in the literature. Increasing salinity has been reported to either slow or accelerate gelation and to weaken or strengthen gels depending on …
Data Set, R Scripts And Script Outputs For Manuscript: Manufacturing Systems: Characteristics And Dynamics,
2026
University of South Alabama
Data Set, R Scripts And Script Outputs For Manuscript: Manufacturing Systems: Characteristics And Dynamics, Alan J. Fitzmorris
Graduate Research Data
This file repository contains fifteen computer-generated datasets, two naturally occurring datasets, nineteen shipbuilding shop datasets, and sixty-one concrete plant datasets. Each data set contains subdirectories associated with various aspects of the data analysis, including stationarity analysis, dynamic system analysis, and complexity analysis. In each case, applicable R scripts are included. The text file entitled “Directory_and_File_Names” depicts the directory structure and associated file names for a total of 225 directories encompassing 8008 files.
Effect Of Wall Movement On Porosity Formation In Ductile Iron Castings Under Varying Processing Parameters,
2026
Georgia Southern University
Effect Of Wall Movement On Porosity Formation In Ductile Iron Castings Under Varying Processing Parameters, Shamsul Alam
College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations
Shrinkage porosity is a major defect that significantly impairs the mechanical properties and overall performance of ductile iron castings. Although graphite formation during solidification induces volumetric expansion, this expansion alone is insufficient to fully compensate for the shrinkage occurring throughout solidification. During the solidification and cooling of ductile iron, multiple phase transformations occur, resulting in dynamic volume changes that exert pressure on mold walls and internal cavities. These pressures can deform mold walls and casting surfaces, leading to defects such as swell and porosity, while also influencing shrinkage formation. This study aims to analyze the mechanisms of porosity formation and …
Viscoelastic Behavior Of Magnetically Filled Pdms Elastomers: Influence Of Filler Loading And Particle Type,
2026
Georgia Southern University
Viscoelastic Behavior Of Magnetically Filled Pdms Elastomers: Influence Of Filler Loading And Particle Type, Madison Procyk
College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations
Magnetorheological elastomers (MREs) offer a promising pathway for soft, magnetically actuated drug‑delivery systems, yet material‑selection guidelines remain unclear due to limited comparative data across particle chemistries, size scales, and concentrations. This study systematically evaluates how magnetic filler type (carbonyl iron and magnetite) and particle size (micro vs. nano), at two weight percentages – 40 wt% and 50 wt% – in Sylgard 184 PDMS influence the viscoelastic behavior of MREs intended for compliant biomedical actuation. Eight particle formulations were prepared through sieving, controlled mixing, vacuum degassing, and isotropic curing, producing nineteen total specimens (16 with filler particles and 3 without). Dynamic …
Effects Of Composition, Nodularity, Pouring Temperature, Inoculation, And Mold Strength On Wall-Movement In Sgi Castings During Solidification And Cooling,
2026
Georgia Southern University
Effects Of Composition, Nodularity, Pouring Temperature, Inoculation, And Mold Strength On Wall-Movement In Sgi Castings During Solidification And Cooling, Noah Brack
College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations
The iron-carbon casting alloy known as spheroidal graphite iron (SGI), nodular graphite iron, or ductile iron (DI) experiences complex volume changes during its solidification and cooling as graphite nodules and austenite form. These volume changes result in forces on the mold cavity walls and can deform the mold walls in cases when mold walls lack the strength to resist the deformation. This wall movement can cause the formation of casting defects such as swell, warped part geometry, and shrinkage porosity. Though this phenomenon has been studied in the past, it remains difficult to predict casting wall movement with existing data. …
Dietary Intake Of Micro- And Nanoplastics: Potential Adverse Gi Effects On Microbiome, Inflammation, And Neoplasia,
2026
University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH
Dietary Intake Of Micro- And Nanoplastics: Potential Adverse Gi Effects On Microbiome, Inflammation, And Neoplasia, Michael Saadeh, Gordon Hong, Sana Rabeeah, Priyata Dutta, Edward C. Oldfield, Iv, David A. Johnson
Department of Medicine Faculty Publications
Micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) are pervasive in food-contact environments and the human diet, positioning the gastrointestinal (GI) tract as the primary portal of entry and a plausible site of early biological effects. Human exposure is supported by detection of microplastics in stool and colon tissue, and emerging clinical studies report associations between fecal microplastic burden and GI disease states, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and colorectal cancer (CRC). Preclinical studies provide mechanistic plausibility, reporting that ingested MNPs can modulate microbial ecology, alter mucus membrane integrity, increase intestinal permeability through changes in cellular tight junction biology, and induce inflammatory gene expression. …
Effect Of Elemental Additions On The Microstructure, Macrostructure, And Mechanical Properties Of Gray Iron,
2026
Georgia Southern University
Effect Of Elemental Additions On The Microstructure, Macrostructure, And Mechanical Properties Of Gray Iron, August E. Rautmann
College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations
Gray iron is composed primarily of an iron matrix and flake graphite, with the higher percentage of volume taken up by the iron matrix. The iron matrix is the transformation product of austenite, and this prior austenite structure is understood to affect the final grain structure. Grain structure affects the properties of a metal, with a finer structure recognized as beneficial for most properties. Thus, the refinement of austenite structure has potential in improving the material properties of gray iron. This study aims to advance the limited knowledge about the control of austenite grain size via elemental additions. Building off …
Direct Ink Writing Of Shear Exfoliated Two-Dimensional Nanomaterial- Elastomeric Multifunctional Nanocomposite,
2026
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Direct Ink Writing Of Shear Exfoliated Two-Dimensional Nanomaterial- Elastomeric Multifunctional Nanocomposite, Md Abdur Rahman Bin Abdus Salam, Asif Hasan Ridoy, A K M Abirul Haque, Muhammad Shahbaz Rafique, Md Arafat Hossain, Md Shahriar Forhad, Matthew G. Boebinger, Farid Ahmed, Karen Lozano, Ali Ashraf
Manufacturing & Industrial Engineering Faculty Publications
Direct ink writing (DIW) of polymer nanocomposites with high loadings of two-dimensional (2D) nanofillers (graphene and hexagonal boron nitride (hBN)) is challenging because of potential clogging, use of hazardous solvents, and agglomeration. Here, in this work, a shear exfoliation and sieving method to prepare DIW ink with high loading of nanofillers produced from low-cost bulk layered materials such as graphite and bulk hBN powder for successful DIW printing without the use of any solvents, binders, or plasticizers. The single-step exfoliation technique resulted in a composite with substantial layer reduction along the c-axis, as confirmed by SEM, TEM, XRD, and Raman …
Detecting And Repairing Conflicting Constraints In Co-Trained Physics-Informed Neural Networks For Composite Curing Processes,
2026
Michigan Technological University
Detecting And Repairing Conflicting Constraints In Co-Trained Physics-Informed Neural Networks For Composite Curing Processes, Cooper J. Evans
Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports
Composite materials have become a critical component of modern manufacturing, especially in the automotive and aerospace industries. The curing process for these composites has been modeled using a variety of partial differential equations representing the heat transfer and composite curing kinetics. Optimizing the applied temperature profile is critical for maximizing the efficiency and capacity of composite part manufacturers. Constraints must be placed on the inputs and outputs of the model, including but not limited to, the applied temperature profile, part temperature, and final degree of cure. Conflicting sets of constraints are easy to unknowingly impose due to the highly coupled …
Elevated Temperature Flexure Behavior Of Continuous Carbon Fiber Reinforced Zrb2–Zrsi2 Ultrahigh Temperature Ceramic Matrix Composites,
2026
Missouri University of Science and Technology
Elevated Temperature Flexure Behavior Of Continuous Carbon Fiber Reinforced Zrb2–Zrsi2 Ultrahigh Temperature Ceramic Matrix Composites, Jacob Stacy, Aaron Ginsparg, Jason Lonergan, Jeremy Watts, Gregory Hilmas
Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works
Ultrahigh temperature ceramic matrix composites (UHTCMCs) were fabricated from unidirectional prepreg tapes consisting of a matrix of ZrB2 with 5, 10, and 15 vol.% ZrSi2 additions and continuous polyacrylonitrile carbon fibers and were densified at 1600°C in a hot press. The relative matrix densities ranged from 88% to 93% with interlayer spacings of ∼72 µm and fiber volume fractions between 30% and 36%. Phenolic resin additions were utilized to react with ZrSi2 acting as a transient sintering aid to form ZrC and SiC phases. Elastic moduli of the UHTCMCs decreased with increasing temperature during 4-pt flexure testing. …
Quantitative Grain Structure And Texture Analysis Of Hot-Pressed Zrb2 Via 3d Ebsd,
2026
Missouri University of Science and Technology
Quantitative Grain Structure And Texture Analysis Of Hot-Pressed Zrb2 Via 3d Ebsd, Randi Swanson, Michael Chapman, Yue Zhou, Ashley Hilmas, Lisa Rueschhoff, Michael Uchic, William Fahrenholtz, Scott J. Mccormack
Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works
Understanding and controlling the grain structure of ZrB2 is critical for optimizing its mechanical and thermal performance in high-temperature applications. Fully dense ZrB2, densified by hot pressing at 2150˚C and 32 MPa, was analyzed in three dimensions using electron backscattered diffraction, electron and optical microscopy, and mechanical polishing serial sectioning. Grain size followed a gamma distribution, with extreme deviations observed only in the largest 0.1% of grains. Large grains exhibited plate-like morphologies, with the shortest-to-longest axis ratio converging to ∼0.4 as grain volume increased. This work revealed a crystallographically controlled growth mechanism orthogonal to [0001] that is …
The Effects Of Mold Flux Contamination On Oxide Scale Formation And Hydro-Descaling Efficiency During Steel Processing,
2026
Missouri University of Science and Technology
The Effects Of Mold Flux Contamination On Oxide Scale Formation And Hydro-Descaling Efficiency During Steel Processing, Tochukwu Princewill Ojiako, Richard Osei, Mario Buchely, Haiming Wen, Simon Lekakh, Ronald O'Malley
Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works
Oxide scale formation during thin-slab continuous casting has a complex structure, which is influenced by mold flux contamination, that modifies interfacial reactions during solidification, subsequent reheating, and descaling. While individual aspects of the oxidation behavior of carbon steel have been previously examined, the synergetic effects of mold flux contamination during continuous casting and subsequent reheating on scale modification and the efficiency of hydraulic descaling remain inadequately studied. This study quantitatively examines the effect of flux composition on oxide scale evolution, adhesion, and hydraulic removal in low-carbon steel under simulated industrial conditions. Slab samples with as-cast, cleaned, and flux-coated surfaces were …
Simulated Lunar Gravity Testing Of A Magnetic And Electrostatic System For Beneficiating Lunar Regolith,
2026
Missouri University of Science and Technology
Simulated Lunar Gravity Testing Of A Magnetic And Electrostatic System For Beneficiating Lunar Regolith, Blake A. Coffman, Gabriel Porter, Lindsay Manteufel, Mitchell Cottrell, Jeffrey D. Smith, David J. Bayless, William Shonberg, Frank D. Han, Fateme Rezaei, Kirby Runyon
Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works
We present the design and testing of a lunar regolith beneficiation device that utilizes magnetic and electrostatic separation methods to concentrate desired minerals by removing unwanted material, such as the mineral anorthite, from bulk lunar regolith. The beneficiated materials would have value for downstream in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) processes such as metal extraction, oxygen extraction, and metal oxide additive manufacturing processes. The apparatus uses a dual-strength magnet system with N52 and N42 neodymium magnets to separate particles by magnetic susceptibility. The electrostatic separation system, which acts like a sieve, sorts the regolith simulant by particle size using a single-phase 50% …
High Temperature Diffraction From Aerodynamically Levitated Materials,
2026
Missouri University of Science and Technology
High Temperature Diffraction From Aerodynamically Levitated Materials, Chris J. Benmore, Stephen K. Wilke, David Lipke, Richard Weber
Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works
Aerodynamic levitation combined with laser beam heating has become an established technique for studying the structure of materials at ultra-high temperatures and under non-equilibrium conditions. This article briefly highlights some recent technical and scientific advancements in understanding the relationships between a material's behavior and its structure, investigated using diffraction methods. It focuses on three evolving frontiers: sophisticated sample environments for accessing metastable states and reactive chemistries, high-flux photon and neutron probes to reveal atomic structure, and advanced computational modeling frameworks. Free from contamination, containerless processing (levitation) can minimize heterogeneous nucleation at the interface, enabling access to deeply supercooled melts or …
A Combined Stochastic And Physical Framework For Alloys And Metal Casting Processes Modeling,
2026
Missouri University of Science and Technology
A Combined Stochastic And Physical Framework For Alloys And Metal Casting Processes Modeling, Simon N. Lekakh, Oleg Neroslavsky
Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works
High temperature metal casting processes have dualistic nature and conceptually consist of two parts of distinct processes: the first type is deterministic, strictly obeying the physical law, while the second type is stochastic. Therefore, the metal casting processes are not precisely predictable, and deterministic considerations cannot provide exact outcomes. To solve this problem, the combined stochastic and deterministic framework was suggested. The local processes were described using deterministic models for several parameter arrangements, while the distribution of these arrangements on macro level was calculated using stochastic approaches. The approach was used for cast alloy design, investment casting process optimization, and …
Thermal Transformations And Mechanical Properties Of All-D-Metal Mn2fecu Heusler-Type Shape Memory Alloy,
2026
Missouri University of Science and Technology
Thermal Transformations And Mechanical Properties Of All-D-Metal Mn2fecu Heusler-Type Shape Memory Alloy, Choji J. Daches, Joseph W. Newkirk, Mario Buchely
Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works
All-d-metal Heusler alloys are emerging functional materials in which magnetic ordering, lattice distortion, and mechanical behavior are strongly coupled through d–d electronic interactions. This study systematically investigates the structural, thermal, magnetic, and mechanical properties of Mn₂FeCu synthesized within a Heusler-type compositional framework. SEM/EDS revealed a dual-phase FCC-based microstructure consisting of Mn–Fe–rich and Mn–Cu–rich domains, while XRD confirmed FCC symmetry with compositional partitioning rather than full L2₁ ordering. Differential scanning calorimetry identified partial melting of the Cu-rich phase near ~ 900 °C. Dilatometry showed a thermoelastic FCC → FCT transformation at ~ 770–780 °C with a recoverable strain of ~ 0.067%. …
Comparative Evaluation Of Gating Systems In Femnal Castings,
2026
Missouri University of Science and Technology
Comparative Evaluation Of Gating Systems In Femnal Castings, K. Balasubramanian, Laura Bartlett, M. Xu
Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works
To understand the efficiency of gating systems, four systems, namely AFS styled pressurized system, AFS styled non-pressurized system, naturally pressurized system with a side riser and a naturally pressurized system with a top riser, were studied. The naturally pressurized systems were provided with overflows which collected the incoming metal swirl while the pressurized and non-pressurized systems had runner wells. Parameters like velocity of metal flow, air entrapment, microporosity and Niyama criterion were considered, and a design was developed with a common pouring basin using solidification software. Two molds were 3D printed using carbonitride sand, and steel of composition Fe-29Mn-8.2Al-0.91C-0.88Si-0.49Mo was …
Design Of Novel Gating Systems For Steel Castings,
2026
Missouri University of Science and Technology
Design Of Novel Gating Systems For Steel Castings, K. Balasubramanian, Laura Bartlett, M. Xu
Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works
Gating systems play an important role in determining the quality and mechanical properties of castings. To understand the efficiency of gating systems, four systems, namely pressurized system, non-pressurized system, naturally pressurized system with a side riser and a naturally pressurized system with a top riser, were studied. The naturally pressurized systems were provided with overflows which collected the incoming metal swirl. Parameters like velocity of metal flow, air entrapment, microporosity and Niyama criterion were considered, and a design was developed with a common pouring basin. 8630 alloy was poured into two molds using a teapot ladle. The inclusion analysis revealed …
Overcoming Resolution Vs. Throughput Trade-Offs In Ceramic Material Extrusion Additive Manufacturing Via Viscoelastic Filament Stretching,
2026
Missouri University of Science and Technology
Overcoming Resolution Vs. Throughput Trade-Offs In Ceramic Material Extrusion Additive Manufacturing Via Viscoelastic Filament Stretching, Abid H. Rafi, David W. Lipke, Jeremy L. Watts, Gregory E. Hilmas, Ming C. Leu
Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works
Fabricating large, monolithic ceramic parts using material-extrusion additive manufacturing remains challenging due to difficulty maintaining uniform moisture content during printing, which can lead to drying-induced defects such as warping and cracking, especially as part size and print time increase. Fabricated parts have trade-offs among print resolution, high throughput, and structural fidelity. Our study has shown that increasing the ratio of nozzle traverse speed vs. material extrusion speed increases filament stretching in viscoelastic ceramic paste, helping to overcome the trade-offs between resolution and throughput. Using aqueous ZrB2–SiC (70/30 vol.%) as a representative ultra-high temperature ceramic paste, rheological characterisation revealed viscoelastic yield-stress …
