Niu Fsae Brake Rotor Design & Flywheel-Based Test Stand Development,
2026
Northern Illinois University
Niu Fsae Brake Rotor Design & Flywheel-Based Test Stand Development, Cody J. Marko, Austin Coyne, Alexander Boyden
Honors Capstones
This project addresses the need for a reliable and validated brake rotor for the Northern Illinois University Formula SAE vehicle following a prior catastrophic rotor failure within the team. Brake rotors in high-performance applications are subjected to significant thermal and mechanical loads, and inadequate design can lead to failure, posing serious safety risks and limiting vehicle performance. To solve this issue, a new brake rotor was designed alongside a dedicated test stand to both improve braking performance and enable experimental validation. The rotor was evaluated using finite element analysis (FEA), including transient thermal and structural simulations, to predict maximum temperature, …
Portable Humidity Chamber,
2026
Northern Illinois University
Portable Humidity Chamber, Calvin Wright, Ian Heilers, Sam Taylor
Honors Capstones
This engineering project, sponsored by Crandall Stats and Sensors, focuses on improving the ability to test product performance under controlled environmental conditions by designing a portable humidity chamber capable of maintaining a stable relative humidity between 20 and 80 percent with a tolerance of ±0.5 percent. Consistent humidity is crucial for evaluating how moisture influences material properties, product reliability, and long-term durability in real production environments. Because Crandall conducts testing across multiple facility locations, the chamber must also be lightweight, transportable, and easy for operators to use without specialized training. Developing such a system provides the company with a valuable …
The Expectation Of Pain: Effects On Threshold, Tolerance, And Perception,
2026
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
The Expectation Of Pain: Effects On Threshold, Tolerance, And Perception, Emma Paulus
Mechanical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses
Brain activity in pain-related regions of the cortex is thought to be influenced by interactions between expectations and incoming sensory information. However, the subjective experience of pain based on expectation has not been thoroughly explored. By changing visual and auditory cues to set expectation levels, a relationship between unconscious expectation of pain and actual sensory pain experienced was characterized. With IRB approval, volunteers were randomly and blindly grouped into low and high pain expectancy groups. Each group completed a survey about initial pain expectations before the muscle stimulation tolerance test, followed by a survey about actual pain perception after the …
Multiscale Architecture Governs Stability In Suction-Actuated Variable Stiffness Catheters,
2026
Washington University in St. Louis
Multiscale Architecture Governs Stability In Suction-Actuated Variable Stiffness Catheters, Sheridan Lee
McKelvey School of Engineering Graduate Student Theses & Dissertations
Endovascular procedures require devices with widely varying mechanical properties: flexibility for navigating tortuous vessels and rigidity for stable therapeutic delivery. Suction-actuated variable stiffness sheaths address this challenge by incorporating axial wire string arrays that mechanically couple under suction to increase flexural rigidity. However, prototype devices achieve stiffening ratios below theoretical predictions, suggesting that interlayer mechanics and string positioning play a critical role. This study investigates whether interweaving polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) tape within the string array enhances flexural rigidity modulation and curvature stability. Prototype devices with varying wrap configurations were fabricated and evaluated using flexural testing, curvature stability testing, and mathematical modeling. …
An Experimental Study Of The Morphology Of Dna-Carbon Nanotube Hybrid Structures In Direct Dna Sequencing,
2026
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
An Experimental Study Of The Morphology Of Dna-Carbon Nanotube Hybrid Structures In Direct Dna Sequencing, Avery P. Davis
Biomedical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses
Hybrid structures formed between single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) and single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) have emerged as promising components in future direct DNA sequencing technologies due to their unique morphological and electronic properties. The nanoscale configuration of these hybrids, including the DNA wrapping angle, pitch, and contour behavior, directly influences their potential for stable electronic readout. This thesis presents an experimental study of DNA-SWCNT hybrid morphology using a fixed, reproducible wrapping protocol designed to minimize environmental variability and isolate the influence of DNA nucleotide sequence on hybrid structure. As described in prior work, this protocol produces well-dispersed hybrids suitable for high-resolution imaging. …
Effects Of A Passive Assistive Hamstring Device On Overground Running Kinematics And Hamstring Activation.,
2026
Clemson University
Effects Of A Passive Assistive Hamstring Device On Overground Running Kinematics And Hamstring Activation., Quinn Castner
All Theses
Hamstring strain injuries are among the most common and recurring injuries in sports, occurring most often during the terminal swing phase of gait. Despite progress in rehabilitation, the incidence of injury has only increased, suggesting a need for a novel intervention. We designed a passive, assistive, wearable device with two specific criteria in mind: to offload the hamstrings during running, and do so without hindering normal kinematic patterns. The device consists of an adjustable elastic band anchored proximally at the waist and distally just above the ankle joint center. It stretches and shortens with the hamstrings, providing passive hip extension …
Harness: Hybrid Architecture For Resilience In Networked Engineering System Simulations,
2026
University of Arkansas-Fayetteville
Harness: Hybrid Architecture For Resilience In Networked Engineering System Simulations, Daniel Scott
Graduate Theses and Dissertations
This dissertation presents the development of HARNESS, a unified, domain-agnostic framework for the modeling, optimization, and evaluation of complex systems under conditions of degradation and uncertainty. The research addresses a persistent challenge in systems engineering: the lack of a generalizable, behaviorally grounded approach for quantifying resilience and robustness across diverse domains. HARNESS integrates graph-theoretic dependency modeling, GPU-accelerated evolutionary optimization, and agent-based simulation into a modular architecture that enables both system design and diagnostic analysis. The framework models system interdependencies through user-defined components, parameters, and constraints, allowing architectures to evolve dynamically while maintaining structural validity. A mutation-only genetic algorithm with a …
Effect Of Environmental Conditions On Fracture Of Composite Materials And Thin Films,
2026
Missouri University of Science and Technology
Effect Of Environmental Conditions On Fracture Of Composite Materials And Thin Films, Victor Birman
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works
Environmental conditions, i.e., temperature and moisture, affect mechanical properties of materials, including composites. In this paper, we concentrate on one of the aspects of the effect of environment on fracture in a composite lamina. The paper demonstrates an analytical approach to account for the effect of the changes in environment on the strain energy release rate of composite materials and thin films. These analytically determined strain energy release rates should be compared to fracture toughness to predict the susceptibility of the material to fracture. Numerical examples are presented for several polymeric and metal matrix composites using available experimental data for …
Validity Of The Schrage Equation In Prediction Of Evaporation Rate Of Liquid N-Dodecane In High-Pressure Nitrogen Gas: A Molecular Dynamics Study,
2026
Missouri University of Science and Technology
Validity Of The Schrage Equation In Prediction Of Evaporation Rate Of Liquid N-Dodecane In High-Pressure Nitrogen Gas: A Molecular Dynamics Study, Wazih Tausif, Jordan Hartfield, Md Amin Haque, Zhi Liang
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works
Evaporation of liquid fuel in a high-pressure air is a process that critically influences fuel–air mixing in advanced propulsion systems. In this work, we use molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to study the validity and accuracy of the Schrage equation in quantifying the evaporation and condensation rates of n-dodecane (a diesel surrogate) in air (approximated as N2 gas) with gas pressure varying from 0 atm to above the critical pressure of n-dodecane. The MD simulation results show that the evaporation coefficient (αe) is higher than the condensation coefficient (αc) at the evaporating n-dodecane surface and is lower than αc at the …
A Federated Learning Framework For Data-Sovereign Predictive Maintenance In Distributed Smart Manufacturing,
2026
Missouri University of Science and Technology
A Federated Learning Framework For Data-Sovereign Predictive Maintenance In Distributed Smart Manufacturing, Md Sazol Ahmmed, Sriram Praneeth Isanaka, Frank Liou
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works
Featured Application: The proposed federated learning framework can be applied in distributed smart manufacturing environments where multiple factories or production facilities collaboratively develop predictive maintenance models without sharing sensitive operational data. This approach is particularly useful for industrial networks involving geographically distributed plants, contract manufacturing partners, and multi-site production systems where data sovereignty and avoidance of raw data sharing are critical. Predictive maintenance enables early detection of machine failures and reduces unexpected production downtime. However, conventional approaches typically rely on centralized data collection and model training which introduce challenges related to data sovereignty, communication overhead and data ownership. To address …
Machine Vision For In Situ Measurement And Control Of Wire Stickout In Lwded Process,
2026
Missouri University of Science and Technology
Machine Vision For In Situ Measurement And Control Of Wire Stickout In Lwded Process, Braden Mclain, Remy Mathenia, Todd Sparks, Frank Liou
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works
This work presents a machine-vision–based measurement and control framework for laser wire directed energy deposition (LWDED) processes. A visible-light camera system is used to capture meltpool images, from which a novel vision algorithm extracts the wire–meltpool interface location. By utilizing a camera that is rigidly mounted to the deposition head, the vision algorithm provides a relative measurement of the distance between the nozzle tip and the workpiece, also referred to as wire stickout. A proportional-derivative (PD) control strategy is implemented using the measured stickout as feedback to adjust deposition feedrate. Results show that the control system successfully compensates for improper …
Using Machine-Learning-Based Process Map To Guide Evaluation Of Inconel 625 Mechanical Properties In Laser Foil Printing,
2026
Missouri University of Science and Technology
Using Machine-Learning-Based Process Map To Guide Evaluation Of Inconel 625 Mechanical Properties In Laser Foil Printing, Yu Hsiang Wang, Sung Heng Wu, Hung Chu Chiang, Pen Ning Yu, Chia Hung Hung, Ming C. Leu
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works
Inconel 625 is widely studied in powder-based additive manufacturing, but its processing characteristics and mechanical performance in foil-feedstock laser foil printing (LFP) remain largely unexplored. In this study, a gradient boosting regression (GBR)-based process map was developed for LFP of Inconel 625 using 32 single-track experiments. The GBR model achieved R2 values of 0.859 and 0.793 and mean absolute errors of 22.25 μm and 19.83 μm for melt-pool depth and width, respectively, outperforming second- and third-order polynomial regressions in capturing nonlinear melt-pool responses and distinguishing lack-of-fusion, conduction, and keyhole regimes. Three conduction-mode conditions with target depth-to-foil thickness ratios (D/T) …
Electric Charging Arm Mechanism - Echarm,
2026
The University of Akron
Electric Charging Arm Mechanism - Echarm, Jacob A. Lewis, Gabriel A. Greer
Mechanical Engineering Student Research
As demand for electric and hybrid vehicles continues to rise, many EV owners rely on home charging in their garages. Gabriel Greer and I’s Senior Design Project, the Electric Charging Arm Mechanism (ECHARM), addresses this by creating a robotic system that autonomously detects a vehicle’s charging port, connects to it, and returns to a rest position when charging is complete. ECHARM is designed as a six-axis robotic arm with wrist and shoulder joints driven by stepper motors through custom cycloidal drive gearboxes. A closed-loop control system using rotary potentiometers ensures precise motion control. At the end of the arm is …
Enhancing The Leaning Control And Braking Sensation Of A Virtual Reality Vespa Simulator,
2026
Northern Illinois University
Enhancing The Leaning Control And Braking Sensation Of A Virtual Reality Vespa Simulator, Joseph Boccuzzi, Wesley Bleck, Jacob Hannebaum
Honors Capstones
The 71 North Partnership Studio located in Northern Illinois University’s Founders Memorial Library has developed a prototype Vespa simulator featuring an interactive Virtual Reality (VR) game and reactive elements. A previous Mechanical Engineering Senior Design team developed the system and improvements after its original development were sought after over the course of the current school year. The system consists of a stationary bike that allows the rider to lean left and right, which in turn causes their in-game character to turn left and right accordingly, simulating the effect of riding a Vespa scooter within a VR environment. Improvements were made …
Optimization Of Stamped Tool Geometry Using Regression-Based Cost Models And Structural Constraints,
2026
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
Optimization Of Stamped Tool Geometry Using Regression-Based Cost Models And Structural Constraints, Matthew J. Teague
Mechanical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses
Stamped steel paint can openers are simple tools but still require sufficient strength for the end user and low material consumption for the manufacturer. The goal of this project is to optimize the stamped design of a paint can opener by reducing material cost while maintaining structural rigidity and device performance. This was achieved in part by simplifying the tool’s geometry so that an equation for the mass could be developed analytically and checked against the simulation’s outputs. First, a 25-run design of experiments was created that varied the shaft length and the endloop diameter. Next, a CAD model for …
A Multi-Criteria Decision And Spatial Modeling Framework For Socially Informed Advanced Air Mobility Implementation Planning,
2026
University of Arkansas-Fayetteville
A Multi-Criteria Decision And Spatial Modeling Framework For Socially Informed Advanced Air Mobility Implementation Planning, Noah Wesley Bretz
Graduate Theses and Dissertations
Advanced air mobility (AAM) is an emerging mode of transportation that integrates advanced aircraft technologies, such as manned air taxis or unmanned freight drones, to transport people and goods across urban and regional environments. While these technologies promise to transform mobility, successful implementation depends heavily on community acceptance, which is shaped by multiple social factors. This study presents a multi-criteria decision framework to evaluate and prioritize the key social factors influencing AAM adoption. A literature review identified six primary social factors: safety, noise, privacy and cybersecurity, automation, environmental impact, and price and economics. The Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) was used …
Versatile Exoskeleton Control Paradigms For Agile Human Locomotion: Task-Agnostic And Stability-Augmented Assistance,
2026
Clemson University
Versatile Exoskeleton Control Paradigms For Agile Human Locomotion: Task-Agnostic And Stability-Augmented Assistance, Miao Yu
All Dissertations
Lower-limb exoskeletons have shown great potential for assisting human locomotion, but designing controllers that provide assistance across diverse locomotor tasks and under external perturbations remains a major challenge. Many existing controllers for steady-state walking rely on pre-defined reference trajectories, which constrain voluntary human motion and limit adaptability across tasks. Moreover, they usually assume stable walking, while their performance under unstable conditions remains largely unexplored. In addition, existing gait stability augmentation controllers are often reactive rather than proactive to unstable conditions. In this dissertation, we propose control frameworks that preserve voluntary human motion while addressing two major challenges: providing task-agnostic assistance …
Moon Adaptive Technology For Extraterrestrial Architectural Robotics (Matear),
2026
Florida Institute of Technology
Moon Adaptive Technology For Extraterrestrial Architectural Robotics (Matear), Candela Noemi Solis Zampini
Theses and Dissertations
The Moon Adaptive Technology for Extraterrestrial Architectural Robotics (MATEAR) focuses on the development of an autonomous robotic system capable of providing structural building blocks directly from lunar regolith. As a sustained human presence on the Moon becomes a necessity, the costly and limited payload capacity associated with transporting construction goods from Earth creates a critical challenge. MATEAR addresses this problem through in-situ resource utilization (ISRU), integrating a regolith processing system onto a remote operated vehicle. The proposed system is designed to collect lunar dust, mechanically compact the material, and apply thermal treatment to enhance cohesion through sintering. These regolith-made bricks …
Deep Learning For Predicting Impact Energy And Compression After Impact Strength Of Composite Materials Using C-Scan Images,
2026
University of Akron
Deep Learning For Predicting Impact Energy And Compression After Impact Strength Of Composite Materials Using C-Scan Images, K. T. Tan, Jason P. Mack, Faizan Mirza, Zhong-Hui Duan
University Research
Traditional assessment of post-impact performance in carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites often relies on simplified scalar metrics that fail to capture the complex spatial interactions driving failure. This study addresses this limitation by developing an automated, end-to-end deep learning framework that shifts from manual feature extraction to the direct interpretation of raw damage morphology from ultrasonic C-scans. Using a ResNet18-based convolutional neural network (CNN) trained on 1,428 augmented images, the model achieved coefficients of determination (R2) of 0.7948 ± 0.0847 for compression after impact (CAI) strength and 0.9436 ± 0.0098 for impact energy. Beyond prediction, this dual-purpose methodology serves …
Stakeholder Perspective-Taking In Engineering Design: A Neurocognitive Approach,
2026
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
Stakeholder Perspective-Taking In Engineering Design: A Neurocognitive Approach, Megan C. Taylor
Mechanical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses
Stakeholder engagement is a critically important yet overlooked phase of engineering design. While addressing stakeholders is known to lead to more thoughtful design outcomes, little work has been done regarding how stakeholder personas influence brain activity while designing. This study asks if the introduction of stakeholder personas- short overviews of people affected by a design problem- affects brain activation in undergraduate students during three design tasks: stakeholder identification, stakeholder needs generation, and stakeholder needs prioritization. To test this, 18 undergraduate mechanical engineering students were given a stormwater management design vignette; one group was given four stakeholder personas, while the control …
