Other Mechanical Engineering Commons^™

The Trials And Tribulations Of Building An Ebike From Recycled Parts, Olivia Conrady

Senior Honors Projects

The United States is far from being “walkable” in most suburban areas. Though public transportation has grown in its infrastructure in some large cities, it is far from sufficient. As a result of this, millions of people drive their cars every single day -- a practice that is unsustainable and becoming an increasingly evident issue. One possible solution that has become popular is the use of electric bicycles, since they are less physically taxing than a normal bike and allow for quicker transport. Though electric bicycles have been on the rise, they are still well outside of many people’s budget, …

Signal Modeling Of High Purity Germanium Detectors, Brooke Parker Thibodeau

Honors Scholar Theses

Pulse shape analysis can be used to analyze radiation incident on a semiconductor diode detector. Finite element analysis (FEA) can be used to simulate high purity germanium detectors with user-specified geometry, impurity concentration, and bias voltage. Subsequent streamline calculation can be used to conduct pulse shape analysis for single and multiple site gamma-ray interactions within the detector volume. Cross sections of the detector can be visualized by contour plots of the electric field, drift velocity magnitude, and collection time, as well as t30 and t90 rise-time values.

Effects Of The Gravity Gradient On The Path Of 1i/‘Oumuamua, Hannah R. Richardson

Honors Theses

In October 2017, the asteroid 1I/’Oumuamua first passed into viewing range [1]. The asteroid is notable for being the first interstellar object to enter the solar system. 1I/’Oumuamua was also unusual in its geometry; it is thought to have an aspect ratio of 6:1 and a length of approximately 400 m [2] [3]. The asteroid was observed to experience a non-Keplerian acceleration estimated to be on the order of 1⇥10−6 m s2 . Several theories have been proposed for the cause of this acceleration, all of which are non-gravitational in nature: volatile outgassing, photon pressure, and solar winds [1][4]. However, …

Finding Groundwater With Electricity: Research And Testing Of An Electro-Resistive Ground-Surveying Device For Use In Well-Drilling Applications, Samuel L. Heath

Senior Honors Theses

A custom-built electro-resistive water detection device is tested under various conditions to evaluate its overall performance and sensitivity to changing variables. The tests, designed to assess accuracy and precision, revealed that the prototype exhibits high reliability (~ 99%) for both Schlumberger and Wenner arrays across different electrode spacings and soil conditions. Moreover, the measured resistivity values from the soil tests aligned with established literature ranges for each soil type. The device also showed the ability to consistently detect changes in soil water content by producing measurable variations in resistivity. At a total cost of $181, this prototype can serve as …

Using Optical Dielectrophoresis For Microbead And Cell Manipulation, Leigh K. Smith

Mechanical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Dielectrophoresis is a common method used to manipulate particles on the microscopic scale. Optically Induced Dielectrophoresis or ODEP is the specific method used in this research. All experiments were conducted in Dr. Tung’s Micro and Nano Systems lab at the University of Arkansas’ ENRC. An ODEP system was created in the lab for manipulating microbeads (6-10 micrometers (μm) in diameter) and E. coli cells (1-2 μm in diameter).

Experiments were performed on the microbeads to see how changing the parameters of the device affects the force caused by ODEP on the beads. The parameters that could be changed in the …

Optimal Parameters For Electrode Free Local Anodic Oxidation Lithography, Maxwell C. Cleveland

Mechanical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Dr. Steve Tung’s research lab is developing a device for sequencing DNA strands. A key component of this device is a nano sensor fabricated using monolayer graphene. To create the sensor, the graphene must be precisely patterned. Graphene, a single layer of carbon atoms, is an ideal material for detecting electrical signals from DNA bases due to its excellent conductivity.

The current fabrication method uses Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) in combination with Electrode-Free Local Anodic Oxidation (LAO) lithography. While AFM is typically employed for nanoscale imaging, pairing it with LAO lithography enables the patterning of graphene into nanoribbons capable of …

Stability Of Holes In Granular Raft, Plabon Kumar Saha

All Theses

A granular raft at an oil–water interface exhibits unique mechanical properties, including the ability to form and sustain stable holes. In this study, we experimentally investigate the formation, stability, and collapse dynamics of holes in particle rafts composed of micrometer-sized particles. Holes are created using a hollow cylinder, which generates a meniscus that inhibits particle motion, thus stabilizing the hole. Stable holes are formed when their size reaches a critical value, which depends upon the capillary length. The critical hole size does not depend upon the circularity of the hole. We show that capillary forces due to the presence of …

Autonomous Control Of A Hybrid Unmanned Aerial Towed System On A Moving Platform, Zachary M. Miller

Graduate Theses and Dissertations (2019 - present)

With tethered rotor drones being more popular for aerial surveillance, moving platforms for tethered drones are being researched. However, these systems require constant power to the rotor drones for stabilization. With this difficulty in power consumption, a hybrid drone solution is presented. The hybrid drone is similar to an airplane, with quadcopter motors attached for stabilization and thrust when not moving.

The controller for the hybrid drone was tested and verified in simulation. The simulation of the system was built in Fortran and consists of a driver, a tether, and a hybrid drone. The driver was modeled after a generic …

Fatigue Behavior Of 3d-Printed Nylon And Asa For Aerospace Applications, Brayden D. May, Collin Kita

ATU Scholars Symposium

Additive manufacturing, commonly known as 3D printing, has revolutionized the production of lightweight, customized, and cost-effective components across various industries. This study specifically investigates the fatigue behavior of two thermoplastics—Nylon and ASA—fabricated using the Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) technique. These materials have demonstrated significant potential in aerospace applications, particularly for lightweight structural components in mini drones and satellites, where corrosion resistance and high performance are critical requirements. Specimens were manufactured using the state-of-the-art Bambu Lab X1 Carbon printer, and the influence of key printing parameters—such as infill density, layer height, and test frequency—was systematically analyzed under cyclic loading. Among the …

G.W.A.I.H.I.R. Guided Wing Aircraft For Intelligent Hybrid Insertion And Recovery, Abdirahman Ahmed Shirwa, Zach Richards, Derek Harwood, Alex Duncan

Senior Design Project For Engineers

The paper outlines the conceptual and preliminary design of a hybrid vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) heavy lift unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for autonomous cargo transport missions. The primary design objective was to create an aircraft capable of carrying a 15 kg payload over a range of 33 km, achieving a top cruise speed of 45 km/h and maintaining an endurance capacity of at least 90 minutes.

A comprehensive literature review informed key design decision, including airfoil selection, structural material, propulsion system configuration, and control. Key requirements were established early in the design process, such as payload capacity, energy efficiency, …

Advanced Manufacturing Of Multifunctional Shape Memory Polymer Composites And Self-Healing Systems, John B. Konlan

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The need for multifunctional light weight structures for engineering applications is on the rise. Multifunctional composites are desired because of their ability to combine multiple functionalities into one structure. The advantages of a high strength-to-weight ratio of multifunctional composites make them desirable and suitable for use in energy-efficient applications. Shape-memory polymers (SMPs) have attracted interest over the past several decades because of their multifunctional nature. They have found use in many applications such as aerospace, satellites, automobiles, textiles, and biomedical devices, where lightweight and multifunctionality are key. The self-healing nature of most SMPs makes them suitable for use in lightweight …

Helical Products Parts Display Stand, Binh Nguyen, Emily Yuan Mendyke, Zoe Porter

Mechanical Engineering

Helical Products needs a new product display stand that will demonstrate their custom springs, couplings, and u-joints. Their current display stand, a marble run contraption, is large, loud, and difficult to transport, so they would like the new stand to remedy these issues. The goal of this senior project is to create a display stand that captures the attention of their customers with dynamic product demonstrations while addressing the issues outlined above.

The new display stand is also a marble run contraption, but instead of being almost 4 feet tall and 3 feet long, it is 23” tall, 26.25” long, …

Enhancing Gas Cyclone Performance With Exit Diffusers, Omar Mohamed Mourad Dwidar, Yasser El-Shaer, Khairy Elsayed, Seyyed Hossein Hosseini, Goodarz Ahmadi

Journal of Engineering Research

This study evaluates seven cyclone designs to enhance pressure drop and collection efficiency (CE), using the conventional cyclone as a baseline. While the conventional design is efficient in particle collection, it experiences significant energy losses due to high values of pressure drops. This study introduces exit diffusers with various configurations—A, B, C, D, E, and F—to improve cyclone performance. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations were used to analyse the pressure drop, tangential velocity, and static pressure at different levels of each cyclone. The findings reveal that cyclone D achieves a 41.1% reduction in pressure drop but at the cost …

The Effect Of Hot Machining Of Difficult-To-Machine Materials On The Form Accuracy In The Turning Process, Ahmed Yehia Kamal, Samy F. M. Assal, Ahmed M. El-Kassas, Ahmed A. Hawam

Journal of Engineering Research

Form accuracy of machined parts is crucial to the interchangeability in production as well as the function of the part and its expected useful life. Numerous studies investigated the form accuracy in traditional machining operations but none of them considered this issue in hot machining. In this technique, a difficult-to-machine workpiece is preheated to soften its material and reduce the cutting force. In this paper, the form accuracy represented in roundness, tape, and straightness of hot turned AISI 304L parts are investigated. The results showed that the hot condition has a minimal effect on the form accuracy which confirms the …

Advances Towards A Robotic Management Vehicle Suited To Nurse Row Crops To More Efficient Outcomes, Adam Mk Gronewold

Dartmouth College Ph.D Dissertations

Enhancing agricultural production while reducing input costs remains a central challenge in modern row-crop management. Recent advances in computation, imagery, and sensors are enabling more efficient practices across various agricultural domains, and automation technologies are increasingly available to manage tasks central to perennial crop development. Automation in row-crop agriculture, by contrast, lags behind. This thesis explores utilizing small, unmanned ground vehicles to transform row cropping through the implementation of unconventional, in-season management strategies. The first focus of this work considers improvements to nitrogen fertilization using small, autonomous vehicles. An agronomy experiment in corn assessed the effects of gradually applying nitrogen …

Development Of Planetary Drive System For Formula Sae Electric Race Car, Brian Wong, Bradley Maruoka, Joshua Charles Fine, Madison Kai

Mechanical Engineering

Hub motors are compact electric motors mounted directly on each outboard wheel hub. Utilized in Formula SAE and Formula Student vehicles, this configuration offers several advantages over traditional drivetrains, including packaging optimization within the chassis, vehicle traction, and improved efficiency. Although hub motors are not yet common in 4WD vehicles, they are being explored for use in EVs and may become more common in the future. Every year, Cal Poly Racing FSAE designs and builds a formula-style race car. To improve drivetrain performance, the team is investigating the achievability of a hub motor 4WD drivetrain, requiring extensive research, development, and …

Treating Ground Water For Agricultural And Individual Consumption, Gabby Miller, Bronson Scott, Michael Clawson

Biomedical Engineering

This project, conducted in collaboration with Cal Poly seniors and Da Vinci High School students, aims to develop a solar-powered groundwater purification system. This system is designed to provide clean water for agricultural use and individual consumption, addressing the growing concerns of groundwater contamination and accessibility needs. The final prototype integrates a gravity filtration system combined with chemical purification, utilizing aluminum sulfate and chlorine to remove particulates, bacteria, and organic compounds.

The research phase involved an extensive review of groundwater contamination issues, existing filtration technologies, and market analysis. Key design constraints included cost-effectiveness, ease of maintenance, and minimal energy consumption, …

Improving The Viability Of Continuous Fiber Reinforced Composite Materials In Extreme Temperature Applications And Additive Manufacturing, Ryan A. Warren

Shelby Hall Graduate Research Forum Presentations

Presentation slides for a presentation given at the 1st annual Shelby Hall Graduate Research Forum at the University of South Alabama.

Numerical Simulation Of Airflow Properties Of The Naca 6420 Airfoil Using The Transition Rans K-Ε Model, Oluwaseyi O. Alabi, Saidat A. Salisu, Oyeyemi T. Aforolagba -Balogun, Temitope A. Ladigbolu, Ayotunde O. Fasina, Anas Bala

Al-Bahir

This study investigates the airflow properties around the airfoil using numerical simulation, addressing the longstanding challenge of accurately predicting transition phenomena in turbulent flows. The importance of this research lies in its potential to improve the design and performance of airfoils in various engineering applications, such as wind turbines, and aircraft. A custom 2-dimensional airfoil model was created using Airfoil instruments, featuring a 6% maximum curvature, 40% curvature position, and 20% thickness. COMSOL Multiphysics software performed computations at a velocity of over 19 hours, with data analyzed at 60-minute intervals. The Transition turbulent model was employed to simulate the airflow …

Evaluating Energy Efficiency And Thermal Performance In Egypt’S Social Housing: Climate-Responsive Design And Material Impact In Hot Desert Environments, Ahmed M. Hanafi, Mohamed A. Moawed, Osama E. Abdullatif

Journal of Engineering Research

As Egypt's urban areas expand rapidly, the demand for energy-efficient, affordable housing in extreme hot desert climates has become increasingly urgent. This study investigates the energy efficiency and thermal performance of Egypt’s Social Housing Project, with a focus on residential building in New Aswan City, where summer temperatures frequently exceed 45°C. Employing a validated energy model, this research simulates annual energy consumption for the building, which comprises 24 residential units, each approximately 86 m². The model integrates realistic occupancy schedules, region-specific weather data, and common household behavior patterns to closely reflect actual energy usage. Findings indicate a high alignment between …