Digital Commons Network^™

Techno-Economic Analysis (Tea) And Life-Cycle Assessment (Lca) Of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (Saf) Production Through Circular Economy (Ce) Practices: A Focus On Supply Chain Optimization And Policy Implications, Edmund Gyandoh

Chemical and Biological Engineering ETDs

This study provides a comprehensive systems-level evaluation of an integrated circular biorefinery for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production. Employing supply chain optimization, technoeconomic analysis, lifecycle analysis, policy modeling, and multicriteria decision analysis, the research assesses technical feasibility, economic viability, and environmental performance. The circular economy model demonstrates exceptional resource efficiency, achieving a 92.3% overall circularity score with strong material recycling, water reuse, waste minimization, and near-complete energy recovery, resulting in net-negative carbon emissions and net energy export. Scaling the facility to commercial capacity (500 million liters per year) enables significant economic improvements. The minimum fuel selling price (MFSP) decreases from …

Modeling Steady-State Navier-Stokes Flow Using Structure-Preserving Truncated Hierarchical B-Splines, Daira Sofia Velasco Vega

Theses and Dissertations

Accurate simulation of incompressible steady-state fluid flow is critical for engineering applications where mass conservation, numerical stability, and geometric fidelity are essential. This thesis develops and analyzes a structure-preserving isogeometric framework for steady-state incompressible Navier"“Stokes simulations using truncated hierarchical B-splines (THB-splines). By leveraging divergence-conforming spline spaces designed to keep the fluid's divergence exactly zero based on the mathematical de Rham complex, this method ensures the fluid remains incompressible everywhere without needing extra stabilization techniques. The use of THB-splines allows the mesh to be refined locally in areas where the flow changes sharply. It still keeps the solution smooth and ensures …

Tribology Of Textured Surfaces, Min Zou, Mahyar Afshar-Mohajer, Robert A. Fleming

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Surface texturing has emerged as a transformative approach to improving friction, lubrication, and wear across a wide range of mechanical components. From bio-inspired micro-dimples to engineered macro-grooves, texture designs are increasingly applied in biomedical implants, bearings, seals, and automotive systems. This Special Issue, “Tribology of Textured Surfaces,” compiles 14 papers that collectively cover fabrication techniques, multi-scale optimization, predictive modeling, and diverse application areas.   The following sections summarize the major themes of this Special Issue. Section 2 reviews the fabrication techniques and texture scales addressed by the authors. Section 3 examines modeling and numerical studies, while Section 4 categorizes the work …

Predicted Inelastic Response Of Conventional And Ductile Steel Concentrically Braced Frame Buildings Under Wind Loads, Conrad Hamblin Belshe

Theses and Dissertations

The inelastic response of three-story steel concentrically braced frame buildings under wind loads was simulated to determine the applicability of ductile braced frame design to wind load applications. This study examined three types of steel concentrically braced frames: a conventional braced frame, a ductile braced frame, and a ductile braced frame with a reduced beam requirement. Braced frames were designed for four design wind speeds (220 mph, 156 mph, 127 mph, and 110 mph), for a total of nine unique braced frame designs. Nonlinear static pushover analysis was used to determine system overstrength and ductility under wind loads. Eigenvalue vibration …

Collection Of Instructional Slides From Molten Salt Electrochemistry Symposium (Moses), Devin Rappleye, Carlos Mejia

Faculty Publications

During the Molten Salt Electrochemistry Symposium (MoSES) on July 30-31, 2025, interactive instruction was given to the attendees including live demonstrations. These slides contain the introductory instructions given for each learning module at MoSES 2025. Please visit https://pyro.byu.edu/moses for more information.

Network Intelligence For Next-Generation Wireless Networks: Advancing Distribution And Coordination, Yonatan Melese Worku

Electrical and Computer Engineering ETDs

Next-generation wireless networks, encompassing 6G and beyond, face rigorous demands for ultra-low latency, ubiquitous connectivity, exceptionally high data rates, and robust security, necessitating innovative approaches to resource optimization and network protection. This dissertation proposes a pioneering framework that synergizes advanced methodologies—deep reinforcement learning, deep learning, blockchain, and multi-agent systems—to address these challenges. Distributed architectures, underpinned by AI-driven multi-agent systems, form the backbone of this framework, enabling seamless integration and intelligent orchestration across diverse domains. The research advances IoT-based systems leveraging machine learning for resource efficiency in healthcare applications, develops reinforcement learning-driven frameworks to optimize energy and coverage for Unmanned Aerial …

Optimization And Acceleration Of Puf Design Through Reduced Order Standard Cell Modeling, Ian Z. Wilcox

Electrical and Computer Engineering ETDs

Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) designs continue to scale with ever increasing complexity and device counts in the billions. Demand for scalable high-fidelity simulations of these systems drives the need for the development of novel modeling capabilities. This research formulates a non-intrusive model order reduc-tion (MOR) framework, called PUF-ROMS, to accelerate and optimize the design and analysis of physical unclonable functions (PUFs) on ASICs. The primary goals of PUF-ROMS are to estimate entropy and temperature-voltage noise (TV-noise) of circuit structures used in the design in an accelerated evaluation environment to enable designers to explore architecture options with the goal of …

Understanding The Metallic And Oxide Phases In Platinum-Based Bimetallic Heterogeneous Catalysts After High-Temperature Oxidation, Stephen John Porter Jr

Nanoscience and Microsystems ETDs

Platinum (Pt) and palladium (Pd) are critical components in diesel emission control systems, enabling the conversion of harmful pollutants under demanding conditions. However, Pt’s effectiveness is hindered by sintering under high-temperature oxidizing environments. This dissertation investigates how Pt and Pd evolve under oxidizing conditions at 800°C, highlighting their distinct thermodynamic behaviors and interactions. Using TEM, EDS, EELS, XRF, XRD, and EXAFS, we show that Pd suppresses Pt sintering by reducing the volatility of PtO₂, leading to the formation of stable particles. Both Pt and Pd are present in metallic and oxide states, forming biphasic 'Janus' particles with conjoined metal and …

Phase Nanoscopy With Correlated Frequency Combs, Xiaobing Zhu

Optical Science and Engineering ETDs

In this dissertation a sensing method applying to any physical quantity that modifies optical phase is developed. Two pulses are produced inside a synchronously pumped Optical Parametric Oscillator, generating two identical, undistinguishable frequency combs. The physical quantity to be measured applies a small phase shift/round trip to one of the pulses, resulting in a frequency shift of the corresponding comb. The latter frequency is measured as a beat by interfering the two combs on a detector. A world record resolution, close to the quantum limit, of 0.033 nanoradian (corresponding to 0.006 fm in displacement) is achieved. A detailed analysis of …

Predicting Leakage From Nuclear Material Containers At Los Alamos National Laboratory Through Drop Testing, Leak Testing, Finite Element Analysis And Digital Image Correlation, Jude M. Oka, Yu-Lin Shen, Osman Anderoglu, Pankaj Kumar, Rajendra Vaidya

Mechanical Engineering ETDs

Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) relies on containment vessels to safely manage special nuclear material. These containers are subject to rigorous testing—such as drop, fire, and water ingress testing—to ensure integrity under adverse conditions. While elastomer-based seals are well studied, metal-to-metal sealing mechanisms remain under investigation, particularly under dynamic loading. This research focuses on the relationship between container mating surfaces and impact loading through drop testing. Finite Element Analysis (FEA) models were developed and validated using Digital Image Correlation (DIC) to measure strain during impact. Drop tests at varying heights showed strong correlation between FEA and DIC results, confirming the …

Networked Systems: Synchronization, Decomposition And Transient Dynamics, Amirhossein Nazerian

Mechanical Engineering ETDs

This dissertation investigates synchronization, transient dynamics, control, and signal amplification in networked dynamical systems. First, it examines complete and cluster synchronization, including cases with large parametric mismatches, in both natural (e.g., brain networks, fireflies) and technological systems (e.g., power grids, robotics). Second, it studies transient dynamics in consensus processes, designing synchronization strategies that link reactivity, contraction theory, and Lyapunov exponents. Third, it addresses the computational limits of Model Predictive Control (MPC) for large networks by introducing an algebraic decomposition method that enables parallel online computation of smaller subproblems, enhancing MPC performance under hardware constraints. Finally, it analyzes the structural role …

Instability Analysis In Cylindrical Thin Film–Compliant Core Structures: Numerical Simulations And Effects Of Inelastic Deformation, Md Al Rifat Anan

Mechanical Engineering ETDs

When a thin film bonded to a thick compliant substrate is subject to in-plane compression, wrinkles can develop if the critical state for instability is reached. In various applications the film/substrate system may also take the form of cylindrical fibers, where an axial compressive loading can trigger axisymmetric wrinkles. A straightforward computational approach to simulate such wrinkling behavior is needed for material design, to either prevent wrinkling or to exploit its benefits for flexible device applications. In this work a comprehensive numerical study is undertaken by employing the finite element method. The embedded imperfection approach used previously for planar structures …

Multiscale And Multi-Model Studies Of Metal Plasticity, Luo Li

Mechanical Engineering ETDs

Plastic deformation is the process in which the material deforms permanently due to external effects. Twinning and slip are two main mechanisms of plastic deformation in metallic materials. The prominent mechanism of plastic deformation in metals that have FCC crystal structures is slip or gliding movement of dislocations, which is mainly focused on here. In the current study, frameworks for investigating plasticity phenomena of metals at different scales ranging from microscale to macroscale are demonstrated. Specifically, the macroscale modeling of plastic response of metallic materials induced by indentations are emulated by nonlinear FEA simulations. Simulation results of macroscale modeling are …

Advancements In Microarray Manufacturing Enable Emerging Technologies, Kendall Hoff

Biomedical Engineering ETDs

Significant advances in manufacturing technologies have enabled the production of new DNA microarrays for use in emergent technology. Photolithography, wafer scale manufacturing, and improvements in synthesis chemistry and design enable high-throughput production of extremely high-quality arrays. These new arrays offer extremely high oligonucleotide densities, in the range of tens of thousands of oligonucleotides per square micron. They also offer smaller features sizes, with millions of features per square centimeter. Furthermore, they can be manufactured with the DNA tethered at either end to the surface, leaving either the 5’ or 3’ end free and available for use in enzymatic reactions; and …

Exploring Immune System Through Computational Modeling: A Comprehensive Study Of Lymph Nodes And Immune Response Scaling, Vaccine Efficacy, And Large-Scale Extreme First Passage Time, Jannatul Ferdous

Computer Science ETDs

The adaptive immune response is a complex defense mechanism that develops over time to recognize and eliminate pathogens with remarkable precision and durability. This dissertation investigates the dynamics, scaling, and efficiency of the adaptive immune response through a synthesis of computational modeling, mathematical analysis, and agent-based simulations. First, we analyze the topology of the lymphatic network and investigate the T cell search time to find the lymph node that is containing the matching dendritic cell. Second we show how the scaling of lymph node number and volume with body mass, leads to scale-invariant search times for T cells locating antigen-bearing …

Targeted Delivery Of Rapamycin Via Epidermal Growth Factor Receptors In Pancreatic Cancer Cells Inhibits Cell Proliferation And Induces Apoptosis, Adeolu S. Oluremi, Christofer Baldwin, Nickolas L. Gustavision, Mujeebat Bashiru, Adeniyi Nsiah Oyebade, Noureen Siraj, Raj Raghavendra Rao, N. Ali

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is aggressive and deadly; most PC cells overexpress an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). EGFR-targeting peptide (GE11) was conjugated to gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) for delivering rapamycin (Rap), an mTOR inhibitor that reduces proliferation and induces apoptosis. Biophysical techniques confirmed the conjugation. Rap loading efficiency was 41.5%, with sustained release at a lower pH. Conjugates showed higher uptake in PANC-1 cells than unmodified AuNPs. It also inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis via pathways involving reactive oxygen species, mitochondrial damage, and caspase activation. This approach represents a promising nanoparticle-based therapeutic strategy targeting PC cells, utilizing GE11-EGFR interactions to minimize …

Improving Infiltration Model Performance In Arid And Urban Regions, Samuel Stephen Coulter

Civil Engineering ETDs

Flooding in arid regions is infrequent but damaging and limited historical data makes flood modeling an important tool for flood infrastructure design. This study improves flood modeling guidance by using plot-scale tests to determine the impact of slope, compaction, gravel mulch and landscape fabric on infiltration and runoff rates in sandy soil types. This data will be used as guidance for the linear and constant model. The performance of this model was compared with the curve number model for a hypothetical 100-year design storm. Results showed that gravel mulch increased infiltration rates by 66% and reduced erosion on steep and …

Finite Element Investigation Of Blast Load Responses In Nuclear Power Plant Containment Structures, Janak Raj Awasthi

Civil Engineering ETDs

Some significant incidents like the Chernobyl disaster (1986), the Fukushima Daiichi hydrogen explosion (2011), and some frequent military and terror threats to the nuclear Power plant structures have led to studying the capacity of power plant structures to withstand blast loadings. From this research, even one-third of the loss of the coolant is enough to damage the power plant structure. Crack starts from the wall and propagates toward the top of the dome and the foundation. The external blast shows high damage symptoms near the foundation area. Most of the steel members, including the rebars, Liner, and Tendons, showed high …

Flight Instructor Enhanced Qualification Training Program, Brendan Aug

Aviation Student Publications

Due to December 2024 regulatory changes made to 14 CFR Part 61.195(h)— Qualifications to provide ground or flight training to initial flight instructor applicants—a new training program, titled the Flight Instructor Enhanced Qualification Training Program (FIEQTP), must be developed under 61.195(h)(3).

The purpose of this packet is, in response to regulatory changes, to conduct a thorough training needs analysis, and utilizing its conclusions, develop a new 14 CFR Part 141 course and assessment plan that meets the requirements of Part 61.195(h)(3) Flight instructor enhanced qualification training program.

The Operational Performance Of Buildings In A Humid Subtropical Climate: Insights From Empirical Data And Assessment Models, Oluwafemi Awolesi

LSU Master's Theses

This thesis evaluates the operational performance of residential and non-residential buildings in a humid subtropical climate, emphasizing Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) and energy performance through empirical data and assessment models. Motivated by the increasing need for integrated sustainability evaluations, this study combines a systematic review with multi-method field investigations to advance understanding in this domain. The systematic review critically analyzed 99 case study articles, identifying dominant IEQ assessment methodologies and highlighting methodological inconsistencies that hinder cross-study comparability. Emerging computational approaches, although promising, remain underutilized. The review advocates for standardized, climate-responsive, and feedback-oriented evaluation frameworks. Field investigations assessed IEQ and energy …

Targeting Poor Solubility Of Docetaxel: Computational Screening Of Ionic Liquids Using Cosmo-Rs, Najihah Mohd Noor, Amal A.M. Elgharbawy, Huma Warsi Khan, Yumi Zuhanis Has-Yun Hashim, Muhammad Moniruzzaman, Mohd Firdaus Abd. Wahab, Hamzah Mohd Salleh, Siti Nur Idayu Matusin

Publications and Research

Docetaxel (DTX), a chemotherapeutic agent widely used in cancer treatment, has limited therapeutic efficacy owing to its poor oral absorption and low bioavailability. This study aims to improve DTX solubility by predicting its compatibility with ionic liquids (ILs) using conductor-like screening model for real solvents (COSMO-RS) computational modelling. A library of 340 ILs comprising 17 cations and 20 anions was screened for their potential to dissolve DTX, with a particular focus on imidazolium-based ILs that enhance its solubility and pertinence to cytotoxic applications. Computational analysis identifies ILs containing cations such as 1-methylimidazolium [MIM] and 1,3-dimethylimidazolium [DMIM] and anions such as …

Differential Roof Water Hazards And Comprehensive Utilization Of Mine Water In The Dongsheng Coalfield, Huang Haiyu, Ding Xiang, Liu Xi, Fan Jiangwei, Ji Zhuochen, Li Zhaoyang

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective The Dongsheng coalfield exhibits various types of mine water hazards, complex water filling mechanisms, and high water inflow with high total dissolved solids (TDS) content in mining areas. These characteristics pose challenges to the comprehensive utilization of mine water, severely restricting the safe, green, and efficient coal mining in the coalfield. Methods This study aims to reveal the roof water filling characteristics of the Dongsheng coalfield and enhance the comprehensive utilization of mine water. Using methods including statistical analysis of drilling data, analytic hierarchy process, and hydrochemical tests, this study analyzed the strata, spatial distribution of aquifers, and the …

Deformation And Earthquake Potential On The North America - Caribbean - Cocos Triple Junction In Guatemala, Jeremy Maurer, Andreas Eckert, Qiaoqi Sun, Jonathan Obrist-Farner

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The triple junction between the Cocos (CO), North American (NA), and Caribbean (CA) tectonic plates in Guatemala is a region of high seismic risk and includes many large faults and historic earthquakes. Previous analyses of the tectonic system have been overly simplified, resulting in discrepancies between geologically derived and geodetic models of fault slip rate. This study leverages available geodetic, seismic, and geologic data to develop new strain rate maps and faulting models for the region. We find that locking on the regional faults matches historic reports of large earthquakes and that multiple minor fault segments are active and accommodate …

Modeling The Influence Of Silicon Content On Electrochemical Performance Of Silicon-Graphite Blended Electrodes Considering Voltage Hysteresis, Mohamed Atwair, Paul T. Coman, Ralph E. White

Faculty Publications

Silicon, with its high specific capacity, is a highly promising material for lithium-ion battery anodes. To enhance durability, it is commonly combined with graphite in composite anodes. Despite this, the electrochemical dynamics between silicon and graphite are not yet fully understood. Modeling serves as an important tool for analyzing and improving batteries, but current models lack comprehensive representation of the coupled electrochemical and structural behavior of silicon-graphite blended electrodes. Herein, we present a comprehensive model for blended Si/Gr electrodes that incorporates the distinct properties and kinetics of each material. Our approach accounts for the dependence of electrode thickness and solid …

Peak Connection Strength Of Reduced Beam Section Moment Frame Connections, Jonathan T. Tshibanda

Theses and Dissertations

In the design of reduced beam section (RBS) moment frame connections, the peak connection strength factor (𝐶𝑝𝑟) is used to estimate the expected maximum moment at the reduced section in the capacity-based design of moment-resisting frames. Current design provisions in AISC 358-22 define C𝑝𝑟 as the average of the yield and ultimate strengths of the beam material divided by the yield stress, resulting in a standard value of 1.15 for A992 steel. However, experimental studies have often reported higher values, occasionally exceeding 1.40. This study reevaluates the 𝐶𝑝𝑟 factor using experimental data from 35 existing RBS tests specimens along with …

Performance Analysis Of University Wifi Using 802.11e Information Elements, Douglas Christopher Hales

Theses and Dissertations

Wireless networks, including IEEE 802.11 (WiFi), continue to become more important for many uses, including university classrooms. Factors that impact the performance of these networks have changed greatly over time, with increased scale at which they are used, and growing dependence of latency sensitive applications. In order to better understand the performance of current WiFi networks, a methodology was created to capture and analyze beacon frames with optional 802.11e information elements (IE), using Quality of Service enhanced Basic Service Set or QBSS load (channel utilization) and station count. This methodology is able to collect channel use more frequently than many …

Modeling Self-Discharge In Li/S Batteries Through Electrochemical Anode Reactions: A Theoretical Perspective, Ralph E. White, Paul T. Coman

Faculty Publications

The growing demand for high-energy-density batteries has renewed interest in lithium–sulfur (Li/S) systems, which offer significant advantages but suffer from severe self-discharge during rest. While prior studies attribute this degradation to chemical parasitic reactions or polysulfide shuttling, they overlook the inherently electrochemical nature of anode-side processes. In this work, a 1D physics-based model of a Li/S battery was developed to explicitly incorporate lithium-metal oxidation and the stepwise electrochemical reduction of polysulfides at the anode. Using COMSOL Multiphysics, galvanostatic discharge followed by open-circuit rest under two conditions was analyzed - with and without parasitic anode reactions. The results show that when …

Incorporating Industry-Standard Technical Writing Into A Materials Testing Laboratory, Caleb Levi Head

Theses and Dissertations

The fluid analysis and materials testing laboratories are crucial for engineering students to learn experimental procedures and data interpretation. Engineers spend a significant portion of their workday on report writing, yet many feel their undergraduate education did not adequately prepare them for this task. At the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, students were given an industry-influenced lab report template to expand their knowledge of the necessary information required in technical writing, thereby teaching and improving their technical writing skills actively. These reports were evaluated qualitatively and quantitatively against previous submissions over two semesters in the mechanical engineering fluids and …

Quantifying Electrokinetics Of Naca0.6V6O163h2O Cathode In Aqueous Zinc-Ion Batteries With Znso4 Electrolyte, Shichen Sun, Boyu Wang, Kevin Huang

Faculty Publications

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) have been actively studied in recent years as a promising solution for next-generation stationary energy storage due to their inherent safety, low cost, and high energy density. However, their practical deployment remains hindered by the limited cycling stability of cathode materials. Overcoming this challenge requires a detailed understanding of cathodic electrokinetics and degradation mechanisms. In this study, we investigate the electrokinetic behavior of a NaCa_0.6V₆O₁₆3H₂O (NaCaVO) cathode in ZnSO4 electrolyte through a combined application of the galvanostatic intermittent titration technique (GITT) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). For the …

Integrated Evaluation Of Airtightness, Acoustics, Thermal Performance, And Life-Cycle Carbon Emissions In Code-Compliant Wood-Framed And Thin-Shell Concrete Dome Residential Structures, Eduardo Ibanez Vasquez

Theses and Dissertations

The residential construction industry faces increasing demands for energy-efficient and sustainable housing solutions. In the U.S., residential buildings significantly contribute to energy consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, highlighting the need for enhanced building envelope performance. This study compares four residential structures: a traditional code-compliant wood-framed structure built in 1970, a traditional code-compliant wood-framed structure built in 2016, a modular code-compliant wood framed structure built in 2024, and a thin-shell concrete dome built in 2022. The analysis focuses on airtightness, acoustic insulation, passive thermal performance, and life-cycle carbon emissions, including both embodied (cradle-to-gate) and operational energy use. Field-based methods included …