Digital Commons Network^™

Impact Of Nitrogen Species On Algal Carbon Capture, Lauren J. Todd

All Theses

Increasing global carbon emissions from fossil fuel combustion and the resulting detrimental effects of climate change have created a need for atmospheric carbon drawdown. Biological-based carbon capture not only sequesters carbon dioxide (CO₂) but also provides a sustainable source of biomass for biofuels and biomaterials. Thus, the aim of this research was to examine freshwater green algal growth with total ammoniacal nitrogen (TAN) and nitrate nitrogen (NO₃-N) sources at high pH for improving carbon capture potential. The following objectives were accomplished: nitrogen uptake was identified as simultaneous or sequential, the effect of TAN and NO_{3 …}

Hydrogen Isotope Exchange On Diffusion Pump Oils, Carson G. Allen

All Theses

The extent of isotopic exchange of deuterium and tritium with protium atoms in hydrocarbon pump oil was investigated as a means to quantify the chemical stability of a mineral oil, a silicone oil, and a polyphenyl ether oil as candidates for implementation in a diffusion pump. In its target application at a fusion power plant, a chemically stable and radiation hard oil offers substantial reductions in tritium inventory, electrical consumption, and operational pump expenses over alternate solutions for vacuum induction. Select oils were introduced to deuterium and tritium isotopes in a high temperature environment, analogous to an operating vacuum pump. …

Synthesis Of Selenium Nanostructures: Rods, Wires, And Fibers By Pulsed Laser Ablation In Liquids, Atikur Rahman

Theses and Dissertations

Selenium is a semiconductor that has a bulk energy bandgap of 1.74 eV, is mainly used in sensors, rectifiers, and advanced photovoltaic solar cells. Selenium is very important for the energy applications and was declared as Energy Critical Element (ECE) by the American Physical Society (APS) and the Materials Research Society (MRS). The goal of this dissertation was to control the growth of selenium when being irradiated by a pulsed laser within a liquid environment. The method called “Pulsed Laser Ablation in Liquids” is a green synthesis technique that allows for ligand-free nanoparticles to be created. Laser repetition rates were …

Iot Technologies To Enable Location Based Services (Lbs) For Smart Tourism, Dharmik Chhatbar

University Honors Program Senior Projects

Location-based Services (LBS) are special types of services that are triggered to deliver certain content (e.g., text, image, video) to users with respect to the users’ exact or approximate location or proximity to certain points of interest. LBS can address the field of smart museums with a goal of enhancing the museum experience for visitors with dynamic and personalized content. In this UHP thesis, we explore a set of Internet of Things (IoT) technologies that can enable the work of LBS in the field of smart museums. The project envisions an immersive museum journey where visitors can seamlessly access interactive …

Technology Acceptance Of Virtual Reality For Aircraft Maintenance Training, Lusine Carlsson

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

A study was conducted to investigate Virtual Reality (VR) technology acceptance for aircraft maintenance training by student mechanics. The study employed a survey methodology using the extended Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) as the theoretical framework. Participants were student mechanics from Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approved aircraft maintenance schools within the United States. The study attempted to address how the variables of perceived usefulness (PU) and perceived ease of use (PEU) influence the students' behavioral intention (BI) to use VR technology for aircraft maintenance training, and how external variables of self-efficacy (SE), perceived enjoyment (PE), perceived health risk (PHR), performance expectancy …

The Influence Of Block Characteristics On The In-Plane Settlement Disturbance Zone Of Dry-Stacked Coursed Ashlar Rock Walls, Eli Blackhat

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Dry-stacked stone has been used throughout the history of humankind as property dividers, retention walls, fortifications, temples, and other structures of significance. Many of these historical structures have been designated as culturally significant. In modern infrastructure, dry-stacked stone is often limited to retaining walls and is used more for its aesthetic appeal as opposed to its quality as a building material. The aim of this thesis is to add to engineering knowledge of how these structures behave. Specifically, on how in-plane differential settlement affects shear stress redistribution and vertical displacement within a structure as well as determining how block characteristics …

Design Considerations For Self-Deploying Origami-Inspired Space Arrays, Kathryn Faith Varela

Theses and Dissertations

Origami engineering involves many steps, including selecting a pattern, accommodating for thickness, and choosing stabilization, damping, and deployment methods, the last of which is particularly important if the array is intended to self-deploy. Through metrics and case studies, this research strives to aid designers in creating origami-inspired deployable arrays. The approaches vary as each chapter focuses on a different aspect of origami engineering. By introducing a thickness accommodation technique and reducing complications with rigid-foldability (when applicable), this work shows how the geometrical structure can be modified to help the array stow and deploy. By providing quantitative and qualitative metrics for …

Transforming Construction? Evaluation Of The State Of Structural 3d Concrete Printing In Research And Practice, Alireza Hasani, Sattar Dorafshan

Civil Engineering Faculty Publications

Additive manufacturing in construction has witnessed exponential growth over the recent years. In this paper, advancements in 3D Concrete Printing (3DCP) in additive construction are explored. The authors synthesize the states of research and practice of 3DCP technology for construction through an extensive examination of 137 projects and various publications. Insights are provided into the key factors influencing 3DCP structural performance. The technology is shown to be advantageous, although with varying benefits observed in different cases, including but not limited to reduced cost, labor requirements, material, and construction time. Nevertheless, challenges, such as limited control over the quality, unexplored long-term …

Predicting Hurricane Evacuation Behavior Synthesizing Data From Travel Surveys And Social Media, Tanmoy Bhowmik, Naveen Eluru, Samiul Hasan, Aron Culotta, Kamol Chandra Roy

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Evacuation behavior models estimated using post-disaster surveys are not adequate to predict real-time dynamic population response as a hurricane unfolds. With the emergence of ubiquitous technology and devices in recent times, social media data with its higher spatio-temporal coverage has become a potential alternative for understanding evacuation behaviour during hurricanes. However, these data are often associated with selection bias and population representativeness issues. To that extent, the current study proposes a novel data fusion algorithm to combine heterogeneous data sources from transportation systems and social media, in a unified framework to understand and predict real-time population response during hurricanes. Specifically, …

Five Pivotal Practices For Leaders To Cultivate Empathy Within Virtual Scrum Teams, Dahm Mongkol Hongchai, Charles M. Weber

Engineering and Technology Management Faculty Publications and Presentations

In the digital and global economy, business leaders need more than just business and technology competencies; they also require empathy. However, there is a notable scarcity of research on empathy in Scrum for product development. This study aims to uncover critical insights into how leaders can foster empathy within virtual Scrum teams. Accordingly, this paper proposes five pivotal themes leaders can employ: Scrum fundamentals, meditation, self- and other-analysis, healthy interactions, and informal connections. These vital strategies offer actionable methods for leaders seeking to enhance empathy within their virtual Scrum teams.

Strengthening Capacity In Industrial Revolution 4.0 (Ir 4.0): A Case Study On Training Product-Service Systems Between The Us And Vietnam, Man Hang Yip, Ana Sofia Castellanos Santarnaria, Julia J. Babcock

Engineering and Technology Management Faculty Publications and Presentations

This case study analyzes how value is created in the development process of a collaborative training product-service system (PSS) designed for provincial government officials in Vietnam. This initiative, part of the USAID Strengthening Provincial Capacity (USAID SPC) project, encapsulates a series of training solutions designed to empower officials with key skills in engineering and technology management, including the knowledge to improve global value chains, upgrade technology infrastructure and sustainable production models. A primary driver for the “four-day course delivery”, the PSS analyzed in this study, was to bolster economic competitiveness at the provincial level in the context of Industrial Revolution …

Effect Of Nutrient And Temperature Conditions On The Production Of Microcystins From Cyanobacteria In Pineview Reservoir, Brent G. Jacobson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Cyanobacteria, sometimes known as harmful algae, are an aquatic bacteria capable of producing toxic compounds. Cyanobacteria are found worldwide in both saltwater and freshwater environments. Depending on the environment, toxic cyanobacteria species can outcompete other aquatic species, grow in large numbers, and produce these toxic compounds. Further understanding of what environmental conditions promote the production of these harmful bacteria and toxins is needed to protect and inform the public.

In order to understand why cyanobacteria produce toxins in certain environments, samples containing cyanobacteria were taken from a Pineview Reservoir, Utah, and cultured at the Utah State Water Research Laboratory. Cyanobacteria …

Selective Bacterial Biofilm Removal Using Image-Guided Detection And Cold Atmospheric Pressure Plasma, Michael Okebiorun

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation explores the use of cold atmospheric pressure plasma (CAP) technology in eradicating bacterial biofilms from tissue surfaces, using Ps. fluorescens on chicken tissue to model human chronic wounds. It introduces a novel image-guided technique for precise biofilm removal, employing trypan blue staining coupled with advanced computer vision analysis, enhancing the CAP treatment's precision and efficacy. The study demonstrates the CAP device's ability to effectively disrupt biofilms through a non-thermal mechanism, based on its electrical characteristics and operational parameters. The success of the treatment is evident in the significant reduction of biofilm thickness of 49 -185 µm, with the …

In Situ Shear Exfoliation Of Layered Materials And Fabrication Of Multifunctional Composites, Md Abdur Rahman Bin Abdus Salam

Theses and Dissertations

To harness the extraordinary properties of 2D nanomaterials across a range of applications, including but not limited to device fabrication (such as sensors and transistors), energy storage and conversion systems (like batteries and solar cells), as well as biomedical applications (such as drug delivery and tissue engineering), it is imperative to achieve proper synthesis to single-layer form from bulk material, ensuring defect-free synthesis. Recognizing the criticality of defect-free synthesis and high yield for nanocomposite production, our focus centered on developing a facile, contamination-free, single-step, in situ shear exfoliation process for bulk materials (such as graphene, hBN, coal) within elastomers, which …

Future-Ready Digitalized Education: Unraveling The Dynamics Of Sustainable And Ethical Digital Transformation, Vaishnavi Rode

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Amid the brisk advancement of digital technologies, higher educational institutions and universities are finding themselves at a crucial turning point, with significant obstacles and new prospects in the realm of digital transformation. This culminating experience project delves deeply into the compounded terrain of digital transformation in higher education, emphasizing the need for sustainable practices in the face of rapidly evolving technical advancements. The research questions are: (Q1) What strategies can universities adopt to foster digital literacy among students and faculty while promoting sustainability values within their digital education programs and Why? (Q2) What ethical considerations, concerning data privacy and digital …

Crime Data Prediction Based On Geographical Location Using Machine Learning, Sai Bharath Yarlagadda

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This project employs machine learning methods like K Nearest Neighbors (KNN), Random Forest, Logistic Regression, and Decision Tree algorithms to monitor crime data based on location and pinpoint areas with risks. The project implements and tunes the four models to improve the precision of predicting crime levels. These models collaborate to offer a trustworthy evaluation of crime patterns. K Nearest Neighbors (KNN) categorizes locations by examining the proximity of data points considering coordinates and other factors to identify trends linked to increased crime data. Logistic Regression gauges the likelihood of crime incidents by studying the connection, between factors (like location …

Tectonic Implications Of Seismic Anisotropy Layering Beneath The Southern Tibetan Plateau Revealed By Integrated Shear Wave Splitting And Receiver Function Analyses, Cong Shen, Stephen S. Gao, Fansheng Kong, Kelly H. Liu

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

To investigate continental dynamics underneath the south-central Tibetan plateau, which composes the Himalayan, Lhasa, and Qiangtang blocks, we have conducted comprehensive examinations of seismic azimuthal anisotropy in the crust using receiver functions (RFs) and crustal and mantle anisotropy using teleseismic shear wave splitting (SWS) analysis. In the Qiangtang block, the observed predominantly E-W fast orientations from RF and SWS analyses with similar magnitude are interpreted as resulting from eastward crustal flow with minor contributions from the mantle. In the Lhasa block, the crustal anisotropy is approximately N-S oriented, which is parallel to the strike of rift basins and southward crustal …

Fluid-Solid Coupled Analysis Of Biological Samples In A Flow Chamber Using Optical Coherence Tomography, Reece W. Fratus

All Dissertations

Forces from fluid flow on a tissue or cellular boundary can drive remodeling processes through mechanotransduction pathways. In most cases, the exact mechanisms are not understood, such as in marine biofilm development or vascular remodeling. To gain a better understanding of these interactions, the flow profile at a solid boundary and the mechanical changes of that solid can be coupled together to determine the impact of fluid flow on mechanical remodeling. To achieve this, optical coherence tomography (OCT) is used to image the fluid and solid simultaneously. Fluid seeded with particles can be imaged and run through a particle image …

Fundamental Study Of Nonlinear Electrophoresis, Joseph Armakan Bentor

All Dissertations

Classical electrophoretic theory describes the linear response of particles suspended in Newtonian fluids under weak electric fields. When the electric field exceeds this weak limit, a nonlinear response arises due to non-uniform surface conduction over the curved particles. This nonlinear behavior introduces dependencies on fluid and particle properties not considered in the classical theory, offering potential advantages for microfluidic particle manipulation. While this phenomenon has been extensively studied theoretically and numerically in Newtonian fluids, experimental investigations have been relatively limited.

Fluid rheology can significantly alter particle dynamics under applied electric fields. Rheological properties like shear-thinning and elasticity which are not …

Contribution Of Collagen Type I To The Mechanical Properties Of Myocardial Tissues At The Micron Level, Adam Baker

All Dissertations

Collagen is a critical component of the organization and one of the key factors contributing to the mechanical stability of the myocardium. Where cardiomyocytes actuate to contract the heart and deliver blood to the lungs and the entire body, the local collagen network must be able to support the mechanical needs of the heart by enhancing rigidity, reducing the mechanical responsibility of cells, and increasing compliance to add loading capacity during diastole. At an organ-wide level, this has been measured and modeled in many ways. At the tissue level, the mechanical properties have been evaluated using techniques such as bi-axial …

Exploring The Synthesis Of Biobased And Chemically Recyclable Polysulfone Using Imine Chemistry, Vitasta Jain

All Dissertations

Plastic waste poses a major problem because of the chemical stability of these materials, leading to their accumulation in the environment and the leaching of toxic chemicals during their slow decomposition. Additionally, the use of depleting petroleum reserves for synthesis has made for an unsustainable production and risks due to use of chemicals hazardous to the environment and the individuals exposed to it.

To address these concerns, researchers have explored biobased feedstock and incorporating chemical recycling capabilities for a closed loop, sustainable process. One promising feedstock is lignin with its abundant functional groups that can be modified and utilized to …

Development Of 3d Human Cardiovascular And Cancer Tissue Model Within A Self-Driven Microfluidic Platform For Preclinical Drug Screening, Aibhlin Alexis Esparza

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

According to the American Heart Association and World Health Organization, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death worldwide. Monolayer cell culture (2D) and animal models are conventional methods to study CVDs, however, they limit researcherâ??s ability to simulate the human cardiovascular cellular microenvironments and accurate predication of pharmaceutical drug responses. Human induced pluripotent stem cell derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs), biomaterials, and microfluidic technologies can be combined to create a controlled, reproducible 3D platform to study physiologically-relevant cellular responses to biochemical and physical changes in the microenvironment. My dissertation work demonstrates the development of novel self-driven microfluidic devices designed with …

Using Causal Inference To Understand Public Perception Towards Electric Vehicle Adoption, Jesus Alejandro Gutierrez Araiza

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Why despite all efforts to promote Electric Vehicles (EVs) as an alternative transportation method through strategies such as tax credits on unit purchasing or long-term environmental benefits communication, its market penetration has not reached the expected goals in the United States? Even though there have been important advancements in the EV technical perspective and financial EV purchasing incentives, the final EV customers still face barriers on their scenarios that do not allow them to purchase this type of contemporary transportation means. Not understanding their local barriers could be a mistake that could reduce EVA expectations in the country and keep, …

Computational Studies Of Charge-Transfer Mechanisms In Electrochemical Materials, Mohammadreza Reza Nouri

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

Understanding charge transfer mechanisms of electrochemical reactions is critical for advancing a variety of electrochemical energy storage and conversion technologies such as water electrolysis, fuel cells, and batteries. (Photo)electrochemical water splitting, involving OER at the anode and HER at the cathode, presents an environmentally friendly way of storing energy from renewable sources in the form of pure hydrogen. While a lot of emphasis has been placed on developing highly active and stable OER/HER catalysts, our atomic-level understanding of the underlying charge transfer mechanisms falls behind.

In this work, we focus on both Faradaic and non-Faradaic charge transfer mechanisms to investigate …

The Development Of A Novel Cartilage Analog Scaffold For Chondral Regeneration, Vishal Thomas

All Dissertations

Focal Chondral Defects (FCDs) are cartilage injuries that affect about 900,000 Americans every year. Left untreated, these may lead to osteoarthritis and eventually necessitate painful knee replacements. Current treatment options are limited in terms of durability, cost, and availability of grafts. Tissue engineering, using natural scaffolds, are a highly attractive alternative promising cost efficiency, abundance, and long-term benefits. However, their low mechanical strength and dense matrices are impediments that could lead to sub-optimal repair.

In this work, a natural biomaterial, the bovine nucleus pulposus (bNP), derived from intervertebral disc tissue, was identified as a candidate scaffold for cartilage regeneration. Mechanical …

Leveraging Machine Learning And Stochastic Programming To Address Vaccine Hesitancy In Public Health Resource Allocation, Hieu Trung Bui

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Infectious disease outbreaks highlight the urgent need for effective strategies to distribute vaccines and allocate critical healthcare resources to contain the disease and reduce its negative impacts on the population. Managing these allocations is a significant challenge, especially in marginalized communities facing uncertainty in healthcare demand and logistical constraints. This dissertation addresses these challenges by investigating factors that influence dynamic changes in vaccine hesitancy (VH) and its implications for disease spread and healthcare resource demand. It develops optimization models for vaccine distribution and resource allocation under uncertainty, validated with data from the COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S. The first study …

Moving Towards The Electrification Of Medium- And Heavy-Duty Vehicles In The Inland Empire, Kimberly Collins, Raffi Der Wartanian, Francisca Beer, Yunfei Hou

Mineta Transportation Institute

This report investigates the transition to zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty vehicles (MDHD) within California’s Inland Empire (IE), emphasizing the significance of electric vehicle charging infrastructure and opportunity charging strategies in facilitating sustainable transportation. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach that combines a systematic literature review, geospatial and big data analytics, and thematic analysis of expert interviews, the study explores the multifaceted challenges and opportunities of electrification. The literature review assesses policies at various governance levels, while geospatial analysis identifies regional traffic patterns and infrastructure needs. Big data analytics examine vehicle movements, complemented by insights from interviews with 16 regional experts, offering a …

Nanoparticle-Based Approaches To Brain Injury And Studies For Improved Detectability Toward Better Delivery Characterization, Hunter A. Miller

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

The clinical translation of nanoparticle (NP) therapeutics for brain injury has been slow despite preclinical promise. The causes of disconnect between preclinical and clinical outcomes is multifactorial, but insufficient delivery is noteworthy. Preclinical delivery characterization often lacks, obscuring mechanisms of failure, slowing development. Multimodal imaging is a promising strategy to improve delivery characterization, combining the strengths of various modalities. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and luminescence imaging are a suitable combination for multimodal imaging, expanding the spatial and temporal resolution of either alone, but further material development is needed to enhance detectability. One problem is the interference of cellular autofluorescence in …

Investigating Near-Field Radiative Heat Transfer With Titanium Carbide Mxenes And Slanted Columnar Thin Films, Sean Luke Murray

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

This work investigates the mechanisms to manipulate and control the magnitudes of Near-Field Radiative Heat Transfer (NFRHT) using two-dimensional materials and nanostructured surfaces. NFRHT occurs when the geometrical features of the radiating objects or the separation distance between interacting bodies are comparable to or lower than the characteristic thermal radiation wavelength. NFRHT magnitudes surpass the blackbody limit by several orders of magnitude due to phenomena such as photon tunneling and new modes of energy transfer, like surface polaritons. Therefore, it is crucial to understand how material properties and surface nanostructures affect NFRHT.

The first part of this work examines the …

Defining Engineering Leadership And Engineering Leadership Skills From The Perspectives Of Abet Leaders And Professional Engineers, Yemisi Victoria Oyewola

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Leadership within the engineering domain has gained significant recognition in recent years due to calls from the literature, industry, and engineering professional bodies to incorporate leadership training into the engineering curriculum. In response to these calls and despite various approaches that have been implemented by engineering institutions to teach engineering leadership, research indicates that there remains a lack of consensus on the definition of engineering leadership and the specific skills that should be emphasized in the teaching of engineering leadership. Also, there is evidence in the literature that there exists a debate regarding the nature of engineering leadership, with some …