Digital Commons Network^™

Evaluation Of Long-Term Performance Of Transportation Earthworks Prone To Weather-Driven Deterioration Under Changing Climate, Amr Morsy, Emma Varela

Mineta Transportation Institute

Embankments are key transportation infrastructure features providing essential support for long, linear stretches of transportation infrastructure, including highways and railways, in California and globally. Clay embankments are susceptible to weather-related deterioration processes that can gradually compromise their stability and, in some cases, lead to unexpected failures. Climate change, along with the associated shifts in weather patterns, is projected to adversely impact weather-related deterioration processes, leading to exacerbated failures and/or shorter service life. This study evaluated the impact of climate change on the rate of weather-driven deterioration of embankments in two locations in California: Los Angeles and Sacramento. Specifically, a multi-phase …

Emission Behavior At The Single Emitter Scale From A Porous Media Ionic Liquid Ion Source, Thomas Victor Kerber

Dissertations

Ionic liquid ion sources (ILIS) are being developed as one solution to fill a technology gap in low power, high efficiency, high specific impulse space propulsion systems. With a sufficiently intense electric field applied between an emitter electrode and an extractor electrode, charged particles are extracted from the fluid surface and accelerated out of the thruster. In this work, three experimental campaigns examine emission behavior of a single emitter ILIS made of porous material that allows passive propellant feed via capillary action of the ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (EMI-BF₄).

Repeated measurements of the emitter and extractor current as …

2025 (Spring) Ensi Informer Magazine, Morehead State University. Engineering Sciences Department

ENSI Informer Magazine Archive

The ENSI Informer Magazine published in the spring of 2025.

Zooplankton Protect Viruses From Sunlight Disinfection, J. A. Wang, O. Aryal, L. N. Brownstein, H. Shwwa, A. L. Rickard, A. E. Stephens, M. Lanzarini-Lopes, Niveen S. Ismail

Engineering: Faculty Publications

Sunlight disinfection is an important inactivation process for enteric viruses in water. Understanding how dark biotic processes, such as zooplankton filter feeding, impact sunlight disinfection for viruses has important implications for public health. This research quantifies the uptake of MS2, a model for enteric viruses, by the filter feeder Branchionus plicatilis (rotifer) and the effects of such uptake on subsequent sunlight inactivation of MS2. Experiments co-incubating MS2 with rotifers showed 2.6 log viral removal over 120 hours. Viable virus was recovered from rotifer bodies after co-incubation, indicating incomplete viral inactivation via ingestion. When live rotifers were co-incubated with MS2 and …

Smart Home Hvac Digital Twin Ml Meta-Model For Electric Power Distribution Systems With Solar Pv And Cta-2045 Controls, Rosemary E. Alden, Evan S. Jones, Steven B. Poore, Dan M. Ionel

Electrical and Computer Engineering Graduate Research

Building modeling, specifically heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) load and equivalent energy storage calculations, represent a key focus for decarbonization of buildings and smart grid controls. In this paper, an ultra-fast one minute resolution Hybrid Machine Learning Model (HMLM) is proposed as part of a novel contribution in the field of residential physics-based smart home surrogate modeling. Emulation of white box models, or digital twins, with editable parameters through machine learning (ML) meta-modeling serves as an alternative to wide-spread experimental big data collection. The HMLM employs combined k-means clustering with multiple linear regression (MLR) to emulate minutely HVAC power …

Endothelial Dysfunction Promotes Age-Related Reorganization Of Collagen Fibers And Alters Aortic Biomechanics In Mice, Liya Du, Jeffrey Rodgers, Nazli Gharraee, Olivia Gary, Tarek Shazly, John F. Eberth, Susan M. Lessner

Faculty Publications

Endothelial dysfunction, defined as a reduction in the bioavailability of nitric oxide (NO), is a risk factor for the occurrence and progression of various vascular diseases. This study investigates the effect of endothelial dysfunction on age-related changes in aortic extracellular matrix (ECM) microstructure and the relationship between microstructural adaptation and the mechanical response. Here, we used groups of NOS3 knockout (KO), NOS3 heterozygotes (Het), and wild-type (WT) B6 mice (controls) to study changes in hemodynamic parameters, collagen fiber organization, and both active and passive aortic mechanics using biaxial pressure myography over a time course from 1.5 to 12 mo. Our …

Endothelial Dysfunction Promotes Age-Related Reorganization Of Collagen Fibers And Alters Aortic Biomechanics In Mice, Liya Du, Jeffrey Rodgers, Nazli Gharraee, Olivia Gary, Tarek Shazly, John F. Eberth, Susan M. Lessner

Faculty Publications

Endothelial dysfunction, defined as a reduction in the bioavailability of nitric oxide (NO), is a risk factor for the occurrence and progression of various vascular diseases. This study investigates the effect of endothelial dysfunction on age-related changes in aortic extracellular matrix (ECM) microstructure and the relationship between microstructural adaptation and the mechanical response. Here, we used groups of NOS3 knockout (KO), NOS3 heterozygotes (Het), and wild-type (WT) B6 mice (controls) to study changes in hemodynamic parameters, collagen fiber organization, and both active and passive aortic mechanics using biaxial pressure myography over a time course from 1.5 to 12 mo. Our …

Aimr-Brainstorm: Ai-Enhanced Interactive Mixed Reality For Collaborative Ideation, Yuchuan Ma

Dartmouth College Master’s Theses

This study investigates the potential of an AI-enhanced Mixed Reality (MR) brainstorming system, named AIMR-Brainstorm, in comparison to traditional sticky notes for creative ideation. By integrating real-time idea extraction through ChatGPT with immersive, physics-based visualizations, the system aims to transform analog brainstorming workflows into dynamic, interactive digital experiences. Using a within-subject experimental design, 30 participants engaged in paired brainstorming sessions with both AIMR and sticky notes. Quantitative measures of efficiency, engagement, creativity, and user satisfaction were collected through between-session and post-study surveys, while qualitative feedback provided additional insights into user experiences. Conclusively, while traditional sticky notes were generally preferred for …

Engineering Anisotropic Porosity In Green Parts From Binder Jet 3d Printing, Reshma Chandrashekhar Kubsad

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

Binder Jet Additive Manufacturing (BJAM) is a promising metal additive manufacturing technique that enables the fabrication of complex geometries without the need for support structures. However, the inherent porosity in green parts, remains a challenge in achieving desired mechanical properties and performance. Instead of treating porosity as a limitation, this thesis explores engineering of anisotropic porosity engineering, where controlled variations in porosity in the green parts can be used to enhance functionality and efficiency in specific applications. The objective of this research is to investigate and analyze the key print parameters that influence green part density. By systematically varying layer …

Automated Plant Morphological Assessment And Microbial Community Monitoring In Simulated Lunar Regolith, Collin R. Topolski

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

Upcoming lunar bases will need to leverage in-situ resources to ensure long-term sustainability and reduce mission costs. One key challenge is food production, which could be addressed by growing crops in lunar regolith-based substrates. However, lunar regolith lacks essential nutrients, requiring organic amendments to support continuous plant cultivation. This study examined the impact of manure-amended lunar regolith simulant on Mizuna mustard growth while assessing microbial community diversity and functionality. To support this effort, a custom software pipeline utilizing an open-source library, PlantCV, was developed to automatically track plant leaf area and height via image analysis. Results indicated that amended rhizosphere …

2025 Aiaa Design/Build/Fly, Chris Campanile, Michael Cavan, Tyler Choo, Jason Dionida, Mateo Jovicic, Zane Kempler, Cole Lourenco, Derek Nease, Spencer Roberts

Mechanical Engineering Senior Theses

This thesis presents the design, fabrication, and testing of Santa Clara University's 2025 AIAA Design/Build/Fly (DBF) competition aircraft. The project comprises two integrated systems: the Mothership (MS), a 6-ft wingspan electric aircraft, and the Autonomous Parasite Glider (APG), designed to complete four missions: rapid assembly, airworthiness, efficient fuel transport, and autonomous glider deployment. MS employs a tapered wing with an MH 20 airfoil and a Scorpion SII-4025-520 kV motor, selected for aerodynamic efficiency and mission-specific payloads, including wingmounted steel-filled fuel tanks. The APG, constructed from carbonreinforced foam, is deployed via spring latch and guided by an Ardupilot GPS controller.

Development …

Intersectional Predictors Of Early Mathematics Identity Among Underrepresented Engineering-Interested Students, Douglas D. Havard, Adriana Quirós-Arauz

Education Faculty Articles and Research

This study examines the intersectional factors influencing early mathematics identity development among underrepresented secondary students (grades 9-10) with aspirations in engineering. Mathematics identity is a well-established predictor of long-term persistence in engineering, making its early formation critical to understanding student retention in the engineering pipeline. Grounded in Bronfenbrenner's bioecological framework, this study situates learning within nested layers of influence. Using data form the nationally representative High School Longitudinal Study of 2009 (HSLS:09), which includes over 23,000 9th-graders, a hierarchical multiple regression analysis was conducted. The analysis examined intersections of race and gender identity across 16 variables spanning individual, micro-, meso-, …

Building Services Engineering March/April 2025

Building Services Engineering

No abstract provided.

Transdisciplinary Collaborations For Advancing Sustainable And Resilient Agricultural Systems, Brooke Mayer

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

Feeding the growing human population sustainably amidst climate change is one of the most important challenges in the 21st century. Current practices often lead to the overuse of agronomic inputs, such as synthetic fertilizers and water, resulting in environmental contamination and diminishing returns on crop productivity. The complexity of agricultural systems, involving plant-environment interactions and human management, presents significant scientific and technical challenges for developing sustainable practices. Addressing these challenges necessitates transdisciplinary research, involving intense collaboration among fields such as plant science, engineering, computer science, and social sciences. Five case studies are presented here demonstrating successful transdisciplinary approaches toward more …

Next-Generation Biomedical Implants And Stimuli Responsive Soft Optical Arrays Via Surface Functionalized Elastomeric Materials, John M. Kapitan

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

The demands of emerging technologies, such as soft robotics, stretchable electronics, and next generation biomedical implants, has led to the development of diverse polymeric and hybrid organic/inorganic materials specifically tuned to meet these challenges. These materials typically have low Young’s moduli and are inert with high chemical stability. However, this has led to materials that are static in nature, lacking any meaningful way of responding to changes in their environment and adapting to these changes. This has driven a shift towards the design, manufacturing, and characterization of various stimuli responsive surfaces, relying on precise control of surface chemical coatings and …

Electrochemical Hydrogen Pump – Methods To Combat Co Poisoning, Neha Namburi

ENGR 310: Technical Writing Final Project

As global demand for hydrogen grows, both as a clean energy carrier and an industrial fuel, electrochemical hydrogen pumps (EHPs) are gaining attention for their ability to separate and compress hydrogen efficiently. EHPs work by selectively drawing hydrogen from low-pressure hydrogen gas mixtures and electrochemically converting it into high-purity, high-pressure hydrogen. EHPs are particularly useful for purifying hydrogen from industrial byproducts like syngas, an industrial mixture containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide (CO). However, CO binds to the platinum catalyst used in EHPs and reduces its effectiveness – a problem known as catalyst poisoning.

This literature review explores a range of …

Exploring New Applications Of Municipal Solid Waste, Harrison Appiah, Ezra Bar Ziv, Jordan L. Klinger, Armando G. Mcdonald

Michigan Tech Publications

This study aimed to (i) characterize municipal solid waste (MSW) sourced from Utah and Michigan transfer stations and (ii) upcycle, produce, and evaluate composites derived from this MSW. Composition analysis showed that the MSW was composed of a variety of commodity plastics, paper/cardboard, and inorganic materials. Detailed chemical analysis for lignin, cellulose, hemicellulose, and lipids was performed. The plastics identified were mainly polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, and poly (ethylene terephthalate). The compoundability of the MSW was assessed by torque rheometry. Composites were prepared by compounding the MSW in an extruder. A composite flexural strength of 29 MPa and a modulus of …

Measurement Of Groundwater And Contaminant Fluxes In Fractures Using A Combined System Of Passive Flux Meter And Multiport Sampler, Qasim Raza Khan

Dissertations

Groundwater and contaminant movement in fractured rock aquifers is highly variable. Its dependence on fracture apertures and orientation as well as fracture network interconnectivity is not well understood. This poses a challenge to the measurement of groundwater and contaminant fluxes, especially when using open-hole techniques, which significantly alter natural flow conditions by connecting different fractures along an open borehole or a well. Hence, downhole techniques to directly measure groundwater fluxes and map fractures' locations, orientations, and apertures are considered valuable tools. In this work, the use of Fractured Rock Passive Flux Meter (FRPFM) with invisible tracer and visible dye component …

Peerproxy: A Webrtc Proxy For Http, Nathan Li-En Lee

Master's Theses

Advances in networking technologies have empowered individuals to easily self-host digital services such as websites and smart home systems. However, accessing these services externally often requires port forwarding, which requires manual router configuration, technical expertise in networking, and is sometimes restricted by internet service providers. Proxy-based services such as Ngrok and Cloudflare Tunnels simplify external access by using publicly hosted proxy servers, but introduce increased infrastructure costs and privacy concerns due to reliance on third-party servers that can inspect or store traffic.

This thesis presents PeerProxy, a novel framework that simplifies access to self-hosted web services without manual network configuration, …

Ai, Blockchain, And Autonomous Innovation : Charting The Future Of Intelligent Enterprises, Shubham Gupta

Harrisburg University Other Works

In today’s digital economy, artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain are twin forces driving transformative change. AI and blockchain each rose to prominence on their own, but together they hold the promise of revolutionizing how businesses operate and create value. AI systems can analyze massive datasets, automate complex decisions, and even mimic human learning and reasoning. Blockchain technology, on the other hand, enables secure and tamper-proof transactions by distributing records across a network, ensuring transparency and trust without relying on a central authority. The convergence of these technologies is ushering in new possibilities for automation, smarter decision-making, and secure digital transactions …

On The Provenance Of Software Systems: Automating Software Traceability With Knowledge Graph And Large Language Model Synergy, Tyler Procko

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

The present dissertation delineates a system that enables those engaged in software development to automatically generate and maintain project life cycle provenance. All projects are implemented and made manifest with the development of artifacts, e.g., papers, code files, etc. Tools exist to accelerate artifact creation, but little focus is paid to the processes that produce them. In terms of Ontology, or, from Ancient Greek, the study of being, the two most basic entities in reality are Continuant and Occurrent, or, roughly, “Artifact” and “Process”. This dissertation posits that for any created artifact, its process of creation, i.e., its life …

Rookies To Aces: Investigating The Intuitiveness Of Pilot Interaction For Operating Evtol Aircraft, Shivani J. Patel

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft introduce unique movement dimensions beyond traditional fixed-wing and rotor-wing aircraft, requiring novel control interfaces for pilot operation. This study examines the compatibility of gesture-based control movements across participants with varying flight experience levels. This study included a total of 60 participants across four groups; novices (no real or virtual flight experience, n=30), flight simulator gamers (n=10), fixed-wing pilots (n=10), and rotor-wing pilots (n=10). Participants viewed eighteen simulated first-person eVTOL aircraft movements (e.g. pitch, roll, yaw, heave, translations) assessing their intuitive gesture inputs for the different aircraft motions. Additionally, they were asked to sketch …

Hybrid Treatment Method Of Biofiltration Preceded With Advanced Oxidation Process For The Removal Of Emerging Contaminants From The Wastewater Treatment Plant Effluent, Anjali Mohan Payathuparambil

Theses

The global demand for potable quality water has been on a continuous rise. Consequently, water reuse is now considered as an alternative to significantly expand supplies of freshwater in communities facing water shortages. Most of the conventional wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) are not efficient in the removal of emerging contaminants from the water, which will cause serious issues to the environment, human and animal life. This research investigated the possibilities of treating wastewater for reuse. First, the feasibility of utilizing a biofiltration system without pre-treatment for removing emerging contaminants from the WWTP effluent was investigated. Two types of biofilter media- …

Activity And Function Of The Endothelial Sodium Channel Is Regulated By The Effector Domain Of Marcks-Like Protein 1 In Mouse Aortic Endothelial Cells, Ling Yu, Niharika Bala, Van-Anh L. Nguyen, Leah Kessler, John F. Ladisa Jr., Abdel A. Alli

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

Enhanced endothelial sodium channel (EnNaC) functioning causes an increase in vessel stiffness. Here, we investigated the regulation of EnNaC in mouse aortic endothelial cells (mAoECs) by the actin cytoskeleton and lipid raft association protein myristoylated alanine-rich C-kinase substrate-like protein 1 (MLP1). We hypothesized that mutation of specific amino acid residues within the effector domain of MLP1 or loss of association between MLP1 and the anionic phospholipid phosphate PIP2 would significantly alter membrane association and EnNaC activity in mAoECs. mAoECs transiently transfected with a mutant MLP1 construct (three serine residues in the effector domain replaced with aspartate residues) showed a significant …

High Gain Defected Slots 3d Antenna Structure For Millimetre Applications, Arkan Mousa Majeed, Fatma Taher, Taha A. Elwi, Zaid A. Abdul Hassain, Sherif K. El-Diasty, Mohamed Fathy Abo Sree, Sara Yehia Abdel Fatah, Umi Aisah Asli

All Works

The antenna is structured in three dimensions, employing a conductive cylindrical cone as its base. This cone configuration is achieved through the etching of an elliptical slot array onto the antenna. To enhance its performance, a conductive circular reflector is situated beneath the cone, thereby augmenting its gain. The antenna demonstrates operational bandwidth across various frequencies: Ultra-Wideband (UWB) operates at approximately 5 GHz, extending to about 15 GHz; Wideband (WB) is cantered at roughly 20 GHz, while narrowband operates at approximately 27 GHz. Within the frequency range of interest, the antenna's gain varies between 3dBi and 15dBi. Geometric specifications of …

Enhancing Iot Security Using Lightweight Machine Learning Algorithms: A Comprehensive Approach Using Ensemble Learning, Feature Selection, And Federated Transfer Learning, Khawlah Harahsheh

Electrical & Computer Engineering Theses & Dissertations

The rapid expansion of the Internet of Things (IoT) has introduced significant security vulnerabilities due to the resource-constrained nature of IoT devices and their exposure to cyber threats. Traditional security solutions are often infeasible due to the high computational and storage demands they impose. This dissertation presents a lightweight, AI-driven security framework that enhances IoT network resilience by integrating feature selection, ensemble learning, and federated transfer learning while maintaining data privacy and minimizing computational overhead.

The proposed framework consists of three primary components: Feature Selection for Intrusion Detection, which optimizes performance by reducing redundant data and improving detection accuracy with …

Mechanochemical Reaction Kinetics—A Theoretical Modeling And Experimental Study, Maria Dolores Masso Ramirez

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Mechanochemical reactions represent a class of chemical processes triggered by mechanical energy, widely recognized for their efficiency, solvent-free nature, and environmental benefits. They are increasingly applied in synthetic chemistry, a branch of science focused on creating new chemical compounds through controlled laboratory reactions. However, the mechanisms underlying mechanical activation remain poorly understood, primarily due to the difficulty in quantifying energy transfer during milling, where solid reactants are ground together using a ball mill. This thesis aims to bridge the gap in understanding the relationship between mechanical parameters and reaction kinetics by developing and validating a theoretical framework based on dimensional …

From A Learning To A Smart Nation: The Rise Of The Digitalization Megatrend And Singapore's Development, Siu Loon Hoe

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to discuss the “learning nation” concept and examine the characteristics and implications of using the “learning” premodifier in this nation-building program. Design/methodology/approach: This article reviews how the “learning” aspect is inter-related to a series of national information and communication technology masterplans and includes a comparative analysis of the related premodifier “smart” as Singapore sets forth its ambition to become a “smart nation” as part of the digitalization megatrend. A print media indicator and Google Trends form part of the methodology to ascertain the rise of digital technology over a certain period. The former …

Llm-Enhanced Multiple Instance Learning For Joint Rumor And Stance Detection With Social Context Information, Ruichao Yang, Jing Ma, Wei Gao, Hongzhan Lin

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

The proliferation of misinformation, such as rumors on social media, has drawn significant attention, prompting various expressions of stance among users. Although rumor detection and stance detection are distinct tasks, they can complement each other. Rumors can be identified by cross-referencing stances in related posts, and stances are influenced by the nature of the rumor. However, existing stance detection methods often require post-level stance annotations, which are costly to obtain. We propose a novel LLM-enhanced Multiple Instance Learning (MIL) approach to jointly predict post stance and claim class labels, supervised solely by claim labels, using an undirected microblog propagation model. …

U.S. Federal Aviation Administration Safety Management System Regulations: An Informal Policy Evaluation, Brian J. Roggow

Publications

The United States (US) Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) revised 14 CFR § Part 5 Safety Management Systems, effective May 28, 2024. US air carriers have one year to modify their existing Safety Management System (SMS), whereas commuter and on-demand operators, commercial air tour operators, certain production certificate holders, and certain holders of a type certificate must implement an SMS within three years. The sociopolitical and legal rule-making processes are complex. This research evaluates the most recently revised FAA SMS regulations through the lens of prevailing literature, theories, and standard practices. Policy assessments and evaluations by non-governmental stakeholders can further inform …