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14th International Conference On Business, Technology And Innovation 2025, University For Business And Technology - Ubt

UBT International Conference

Welcome to IC – UBT 2025

UBT Annual International Conference is the 14th international interdisciplinary peer reviewed conference which publishes works of the scientists as well as practitioners in the area where UBT is active in Education, Research and Development. The UBT aims to implement an integrated strategy to establish itself as an internationally competitive, research-intensive university, committed to the transfer of knowledge and the provision of a world-class education to the most talented students from all background. The main perspective of the conference is to connect the scientists and practitioners from different disciplines in the same place and make …

Metabolic Insights Into Cyst Fluid Composition And The Role Of Taurine In Polycystic Kidney Disease, Vineetha Garimella

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is the most common genetic disorder affecting kidneys and the fourth leading cause of kidney failure. It occurs in two major forms, autosomal dominant PKD (ADPKD), and autosomal recessive PKD (ARPKD). ADPKD is typically adult-onset and caused by mutations in the PKD1 and PKD2 genes, and ARPKD generally manifests in utero and is caused by mutations in the PKHD1 gene. Despite the severity of the disease, only one FDA-approved drug, tolvaptan, is currently available for ADPKD and remains under clinical investigation for ARPKD. However, its use is limited by adverse side effects including polyuria, polydipsia, and …

Capacity Of Microbial Strains And Communities To Degrade Sewerage Fats, Oils, And Grease Clog Deposits, Allondra M. Woods, Catherine J. Pettinger, Catherine Harris, Tanya Soule, Garth Farley, Erica L.-W. Majumder

Biological Engineering Student Research

Fats, oils, and grease (FOG) deposits are hardened, sticky, insoluble solids that accumulate in sewage systems globally. These deposits contribute to pipe blockages and sanitary sewer overflows, releasing pathogens and pollutants into the environment, posing significant environmental and public health risks. Current removal methods are labor-intensive and costly, emphasizing the need for alternatives. While biological strategies offer a viable alternative, the microbial breakdown of FOG is poorly understood. In this study, we evaluated the potential of individual microbial strains and synthetic microbial communities to biodegrade wastewater-derived FOG deposit samples. These biological agents were applied to a range of FOG samples, …

Visible Image-Based Machine Learning For Identifying Abiotic Stress In Sugar Beet Crops, Seyed Reza Haddadi, Masoumeh Hashemi, Richard C. Peralta, Masoud Soltani

Plants, Soils and Climate Student Research

Previous researches have proved that the synchronized use of inexpensive RGB images, image processing, and machine learning (ML) can accurately identify crop stress. Four Machine Learning Image Modules (MLIMs) were developed to enable the rapid and cost-effective identification of sugar beet stresses caused by water and/or nitrogen deficiencies. RGB images representing stressed and non-stressed crops were used in the analysis. To improve robustness, data augmentation was applied, generating six variations on each image and expanding the dataset from 150 to 900 images for training and testing. Each MLIM was trained and tested using 54 combinations derived from nine canopy and …

Ai-Assisted Spectral Fingerprinting Of Mg-Doped Zno Tracer Phosphors: Tuning Photoluminescence Emission And Investigating Lifetime Via Sol-Gel Synthesis Parameters, Thomas M. Brandte

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Plastic sorting remains a major driver of recycling costs, and existing infrared (IR) optical identification systems cannot determine material prominence or quality, nor reliably identify dark polymers [1]. This work explores a PVA-stabilized sol–gel and thermal synthesis route for magnesium-doped zinc oxide (Mg:ZnO) as a tunable photoluminescent tracer phosphor.

Lattice-defect control forms the foundation of phosphorescent emission tuning, enabling unique spectral fingerprints to be generated based on synthesis parameters—Mg molar ratio (Mg%), PVA mass (g), and calcination temperature (°C). Photoluminescence (PL) spectra (400–850 nm) were analyzed using Gaussian peak fitting and principal component analysis (PCA), reducing hundreds of spectral features …

A New Low-Rate Stable Hydrogel Cathode For Aqueous Zn-Ion Batteries, Roya Rajabi, Shichen Sun, Jamil A. Khan, Morgan Stefik, Kevin Huang

Faculty Publications

Aqueous Zn-ion batteries (ZIBs) are attractive candidates for large-scale energy storage owing to the abundance, low cost, and intrinsic safety of Zn metal. However, their practical application is hindered by poor cycle stability, especially at low current densities, due to cathode dissolution and limited electrochemically active sites (EAS). Herein, a hydrogel-based cathode comprising ammonium vanadate, carbon black, and a Zn-ion-conducting carboxymethyl chitosan–acrylamide hydrogel matrix doped with Zn(ClO4)2 is reported. This design establishes a continuous Zn-ion-conducting network, thereby maximizing EAS density throughout the electrode volume. The ZIB with the hydrogel cathode exhibits outstanding cycling stability, with 77% capacity retention after 2000 …

Graphene Screen-Printed Electrode For Wound-Related Biosensing, Chanyapat Sriviroch

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Monitoring wound healing is critical for improving patient outcomes, especially for chronic wounds, which often have complications like delayed healing and infections. Current methods for monitoring wound healing are invasive and costly. Also, these methods have a limited ability to provide real-time, continuous data. This study seeks to explore a graphene screen-printed electrode (SPE) electrochemical biosensor that is non-invasive and efficient to constantly monitor wound healing in real time. This research study focuses specifically on the electrochemical detection of the Human Neutrophil Elastase (HNE) and Secretory Leukocyte Protease Inhibitor (SLPI), which is one of the most abundant neutral proteinases in …

Formulation And Characterization Of Albumin Nanoparticles For Nsclc Photochemotherapy, Faisal Mohammad Shamim Khan

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Non-small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) is the most common type of lung cancer and is a leading cause of worldwide cancer-related death, which is a strong motivation to develop more efficacious approaches to its treatment. This thesis outlines the construction of folate-targeted bovine serum albumin (FA-BSA) nanoparticles co-loading Chlorin e6 (Ce6), a photodynamic therapy photosensitizer, and Evofosfamide (EVO), a hypoxia-activated prodrug, to enable synergistic photochemotherapy. The 1-Ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide (EDC) is a water-soluble carbodiimide coupling reagent and used for amide bonds between carboxylic acid and amines. FA-BSA nanoparticles were prepared through a desolvation approach and stabilized through crosslinking by the carbodiimide reagent …

Treating Low-Concentration Methane Emissions Via A Methanotroph-Based Biotrickling Filter: Techno-Economic And Life Cycle Assessment, Waaseyaaban Landgren, Robert Handler, David Shonnard, Mary E. Lidstrom

Michigan Tech Publications

Methane, a greenhouse gas which has a global warming potential 80 times greater than carbon dioxide on a 20-year time scale, greatly contributes to global warming. Removing 1 Gt of atmospheric methane by 2050 would limit global temperature increase from reaching 1.5 °C. Currently, biotrickling filter systems for removing atmospheric methane via methanotrophs exist, but not for very low methane concentrations (< 1 v%). Recent work at the University of Washington to isolate and improve a microbial strain which thrives at 500 ppmv CH4 has removed one obstacle in making this technology feasible. In this study, techno-economic and environmental life cycle assessment analyses conducted on this process have assessed its economic feasibility, greenhouse gas reduction potential, and possible areas of improvement. Study results show that at 500 ppmv CH4, this process could remove atmospheric methane at a cost of USD 3992–5224/tCH4. The best-performing case also produces annual net reductions in warming potential by 276–311 tCO2e/120 m3 process unit deployed. Many opportunities exist to improve the outcomes of the baseline analysis even further, especially related to reducing the transport distance of media and harvested biomass.

Exploring The World Of Medical Exoskeleton Robots: A Classification Guide, Javlonbek Rakhmatillaev, Vytautas Bučinskas

Technical science and innovation

This article describes the classification of exoskeletons. This classification is based on the use of exoskeletons in the medical field, shape, power source, generation, parts related to the human body, structural material, and control forms based on sensor and actuator devices. In addition, examples of each category are given. The main goal is to comprehensively evaluate medical exoskeletons, pay special attention to their functions and goals, conduct scientific research, and further develop these devices. As a result, a completely new type of classification of medical exoskeletons was developed. The developed new type of classification serves as an important guide in …

Structural And Biological Properties Of Chitosan/Copper Polymetallic Complexes Synthesized From Apis Mellifera-Derved Chitosan, Dilnoza Sohibovna Isomitdinova, Gulnora Akmalovna Ikhtiyarova, Nazira Madusmanovna Kuchkarbayeva, Nafisa Akhrorovna Ergasheva

Technical science and innovation

In this study, a chitosan/copper (Ch/Cu²⁺) polymetallic complex was synthesized from chitosan obtained by the cryogenic method from Apis mellifera bees. The structural and physicochemical properties of the complex were investigated using FTIR, UV-Vis, XRD, TGA, and DLS analyses. FTIR spectra showed shifts in absorption bands at 1400-1339 cm⁻¹ and 1640-1550 cm⁻¹, confirming the coordination of Cu²⁺ ions with amino and hydroxyl groups. UV-Vis spectra revealed absorption peaks in the 410-540 nm range, while XRD analysis indicated new crystalline peaks at 2θ = 24°, 27°, and 37°. Thermal analysis demonstrated high thermal stability of the complex, and DLS confirmed a …

Improvement Of Ultrasonic-Convective Equipment And Beetroot (Beta Vulgaris L.) Drying Process, Jasur Esirgapovich Safarov, Shakhnoza Abduvaxitovna Sultanova, R. M. Najafli

Technical science and innovation

In the world, the air-dried food market is seeing rapid expansion, valued at USD 103.26 billion in 2021, out of which the Asia Pacific region consumed the maximum amount. The freeze-dried vegetable and fruit market is predicted to reach USD 132.7 billion by 2027. Processed vegetables are also exported to a large extent from India. Uzbekistan recorded excellent development in agriculture in 2024, with record harvests, better yields, and use of advanced machinery. Azerbaijan also demonstrated good agriculture growth and export performance. Beetroot has now been identified as a functional food containing bioactive compounds like betaines and dietary fiber that …

Tacscope: A Miniaturized Vision-Based Tactile Sensor For Surgical Applications, Md Rakibul Islam Prince, Sheeraz Athar, Pokuang Zhou, Yu She

School of Industrial Engineering Faculty Publications

The lack of tactile feedback in robot-assisted minimally invasive surgery (RMIS) limits surgeons’ ability to palpate tissues, a critical technique for locating abnormalities such as tumors. To address this challenge, we introduce TacScope, a novel, vision-based tactile sensor leveraging the magnification properties of a spherical-surface elastomer to provide tactile feedback for advanced clinical applications. TacScope features a robust, low-cost, and easyly fabricate design, enabling seamless integration into surgical robotic setups. It reconstructs high-resolution 3D geometry from variations in particle-density distribution across its elastomer surface, requiring only a single image for calibration. The curved elastomer membrane alters particle-density distribution under …

Evaluating Platinum, Gold, Glassy Carbon, And Graphite Anodes For Chlorine Evolution In Molten Calcium Chloride Salt, Cameron Vann, Shelssie Klvacek, Carlos Mejia, Devin Rappleye

Faculty Publications

The chlorine evolution reaction (CER) in molten CaCl₂ plays a critical role in high-temperature electrochemical processes, including chlorination, metal refining, and used nuclear fuel treatment. This study evaluates the performance of gold (Au), platinum (Pt), glassy carbon (GC), and graphite anodes for the CER under consistent electrochemical conditions. Anode performance was assessed based on chlorine (Cl₂) gas evolution, material robustness, and kinetic parameters. Cl₂ generation was directly confirmed using quadrupole mass spectrometry for Pt, GC, and graphite anodes. GC and graphite demonstrated stable and sustained CER activity. Pt and Au were shown to have significant mass …

Scalable Biosynthesis And Recovery Of Poly-3-Hydroxybutyrate Produced From Cotton-Derived Glucose By Cupriavidus Necator, Ashley M. Clark, Lucia E. Gargano, Gabriella M. Fioravanti, Hannah M. Schapiro, Ron G. Kander

School of Design and Engineering Papers

To combat the growing issue of petroleum plastic waste, alternative bio-based polymers are being developed. Many of these biopolymers are made from bio-derived materials, or are biodegradable, but the most promising polymers fall in both categories. Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are one such class of polymers, and poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (P3HB), the most popular PHA, has shown great potential. This study utilized two types of cotton-derived glucose, alongside commercial glucose, as a feedstock for the biosynthesis of P3HB by Cupriavidus necator (also known as Ralstonia eutropha). The fermentation took place in a 2-L bioreactor, showing potential for scale-up. A single-solvent extraction method was …

Insights From A Simple Mathematical Model Of Autism Spectrum Disorders, Charles F. Babbs

Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering Faculty Working Papers

This preliminary report explores insights about mechanisms of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) gained from a mathematical model of interconnected clusters of excitatory neurons. This local, integrate-and-fire, spiking neural network is subjected to random noise from other populations of excitatory and inhibitory neurons outside the network. Its emergent behavior in response to different ratios of inhibitory to excitatory noise mimics several aspects of ASDs. The spiking neural network functions according to rules of classical neurophysiology, involving resting membrane potential, threshold potential, excitatory or inhibitory post-synaptic potentials, action potential, and refractory period. Key parameters include the incremental change in membrane potential, p …

10.13.2025 Ored Connect, Liz Williamson

ORED Newsletter

• ORED Small Grants Program RFP
• Mississippi Impact Grants RFP
• Contest to Promote Lab Practices
• Field Fest
• AAAS Membership for Faculty, Staff, and Students 

Evaluation Of An In Situ Forming Composite Hydrogel Based On Gelatin–Sodium Alginate– Polyethylene Oxide For Biomedical Applications: Effect Of Incorporated Sophora Japonica On Hydrogel Performance, Samar A. Salim

Nanotechnology Research Centre

Hydrogels are ideal candidates for biomedical applications such as wound healing, tissue engineering, and bone regeneration due to their porosity and similarity to the extracellular matrix of humans. A gelatin/ sodium alginate (SA) hydrogel with the inclusion of polyethylene oxide (PEO) was utilized to achieve enhanced mechanical strength. Hydrogels were prepared at different ratios of polymer solutions to select the hydrogel that exhibited an optimal gelation time. Sophora japonica, a plant leaf extract (SJLE) rich in flavonoids and isoflavonoids, was added to the hydrogel to enhance tissue repair. The developed hydrogels were extensively characterized for their morphology, porosity, and swelling …

Synthetically Expressive: Evaluating Gesture And Voice For Emotion And Empathy In Vr And 2d Scenarios, Haoyang Du, Kiran Chhatre, Christopher Peters, Brian Keegan, Rachel Mcdonnell, Cathy Ennis

Conference papers

The creation of virtual humans increasingly leverages automated synthesis of speech and gestures, enabling expressive, adaptable agents that effectively engage users. However, the independent development of voice and gesture generation technologies, alongside the growing popularity of virtual reality (VR), presents significant questions about the integration of these signals and their ability to convey emotional detail in immersive environments. In this paper, we evaluate the influence of real and synthetic gestures and speech, alongside varying levels of immersion (VR vs. 2D displays) and emotional contexts (positive, neutral, negative) on user perceptions. We investigate how immersion affects the perceived match between gestures …

Effect Of Driftwood On The Hydraulic Performance Of A-Type Piano Key Weirs Situated In-Stream Or At Reservoirs, Pascal Venetz, Michael Pfister

4th International Workshop on Labyrinth and Piano Key Weirs

Driftwood is a natural part of most river ecosystems. The knowledge of its interaction with hydraulic structures, such as PKWs, is essential for two reasons: To (1) avoid uncontrolled inundations because of the level rise initiated by trapped driftwood (reducing the weir discharge coefficient), and (2) initiate the passage of the wood over the PKW, so that it remains in the river to further fulfill its environmental services. Knowledge of the conditions motivating driftwood to block at a PKW is essential. The present study accordingly focuses on the blocking probability of driftwood at PKWs and the resulting head increase – …

Condition Optimization For The Synthesis Of Castor Oil Templated Mesoporous Silica, Godlisten Namwel Shao

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

The present work provides suitable conditions for the synthesis of mesoporous materials with improved porosity using an optimization technique. The proposed preparation method involves forming final products by varying the amount of castor oil, media, and template removal. The obtained samples were examined by TGA, XRD, DRIFT and nitrogen physisorption studies. It was observed that the porosity of the obtained samples was dependent on the conditions under which the materials were synthesized. All synthesized materials showed the Type IV adsorption-desorption isotherm features of mesoporous, regardless of the conditions utilized during the synthesis. The sample synthesized using 2.5 g of a …

10.06.2025 Ored Connect, Liz Williamson

ORED Newsletter

• Field Fest
• AAAS Membership
• MIG Application Opportunity
• Contest to Promote Safe Lab Practices

Advanced Strategies And Solutions Towards More Secure And Effective Two-Factor Authentication In Networking, Zahraa Sameer Jawad

Al-Esraa University College Journal for Engineering Sciences

With the rapid increase in cybersecurity threats targeting network systems, traditional two-factor authentication (2FA) methods are insufficient to address advanced attacks. Vulnerabilities such as phishing, SIM-swapping, and social engineering exploit the limitations of SMS-based and email-based 2FA. This paper examines advanced strategies and solutions for securing networked environments through robust 2FA mechanisms, focusing on approaches like elliptic curve cryptography (ECC), digital certificates, and biometric verification. This article offers a comparative review of various strategies about their effectiveness in enhancing security, while also highlighting their capacity to optimize user-friendliness and adaptability to emerging threats. Research findings promote an effective countermeasure strategy …

Advancements In Ultrasound Technology And Iot Security: A Physics-Based Approach To Enhanced Imaging With Lightweight Encryption Algorithms, Noor Fawzi Shafiq

Al-Esraa University College Journal for Engineering Sciences

The rapid advancements in ultrasound technology, coupled with the growing significance of IoT security, present a unique opportunity to enhance imaging systems while ensuring data integrity. This study explores the integration of physics-based principles in ultrasound imaging, focusing on how lightweight encryption algorithms can secure data transmitted from IoT devices.Ultrasound technology has evolved significantly, benefiting from improved imaging techniques and the incorporation of IoT devices. As these devices proliferate across various applications, including healthcare and industrial monitoring, the need for secure data transmission becomes paramount. This paper proposes a framework that combines advanced ultrasound imaging with robust lightweight encryption methods …

Groundwater Quality Analyses For Irrigation Purposes In Salah Al-Din, Iraq: A Review, Noor A. Radhi, Dawood E. Sachit, Abdul-Sahib T. Al-Madhhachi

Al-Esraa University College Journal for Engineering Sciences

The focus of this study is the effect of the physical and chemical characteristics of groundwaters on plants and agricultural crops, following the last studies on this matter. The results underscore the necessity for groundwater treatment before its utilization in irrigation for sustainable agricultural farming. It is also possible to identify which crop type can be grown in well-watered land, according to the characteristics of irrigation water and the yield of each crop. The study also introduces some ideas about irrigation water quality parameters such as Electrical conductivity (EC), Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), pH, Chloride (Cl^–), Sodium (Na …

Phosphate Removal And Recovery From Aqueous Solutions Using Iron-Coated Steel Slag, Siavash Ebrahimzadeh, Guanghui Hua, Christopher Schmit

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty and Student Publications

Phosphate pollution from human activities significantly contributes to the eutrophication of aquatic ecosystems. Additionally, phosphorus is a finite, irreplaceable resource, making its management and recovery critical. This study explores the use of iron-coated steel slag (ICS) as a cost-effective material for phosphate removal and recovery from water. Ferric chloride was used to coat electric arc furnace slag via oven drying under various conditions. Batch adsorption tests evaluated phosphate adsorption, and the optimum coating conditions were identified as 0.5–1 mm slag, 0.5 M FeCl₃, and coating pH 1. The effect of solution pH and coexisting ions on phosphate removal were also …

Developing A Low-Temperature Pathway For The Synthesis Of Two-Dimensional Ws2 Nanosheets, Akhil Potdar

Holster Scholar Projects

Since their discovery in 2004, two-dimensional (2D) materials have attracted great attention due to their unique mechanical, electrical, and chemical properties. However, their integration into devices is limited by the high temperatures required for crystalline growth, which prevents the use of flexible and biocompatible substrates like polymers for biomedical and next-generation electronic devices. This project aims to therefore develop a low-temperature synthesis process for two-dimensional tungsten disulfide (WS₂), a material particularly promising due to its tunable bandgap and biocompatibility. We propose that by first depositing an intermediate tungsten oxide film (WOx) via Hollow Cathode Plasma-Assisted Atomic Layer Deposition (HCP-ALD) and …

Development Of A Colorectal Cancer Spheroid Model To Improve The Accuracy Of Preclinical Drug Testing, Jillian Trilevsky

Master's Theses

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer related deaths worldwide. It currently affects millions of people across the globe and is only expected to increase in impact over the coming years. The most common treatment for metastatic colon cancer is chemotherapy, however, the development of chemotherapeutic drugs is a long and expensive process. A large portion of this development process is spent in preclinical drug testing. However, the models used often lack enough physiological relevance to guarantee the drug’s success in a clinical trial. Due to this gap in testing, researchers seek to develop a more physiologically relevant …

Multi-Material Printer Development, Jessica Hu, Phoebe Eplett

College of Engineering Summer Undergraduate Research Program

Surgeons require pre-surgical models to practice procedures and improve success rates. However, the current process of creating physical models for practice using 3D printing is limited to producing homogeneous mimics of the human body, while the human body is a heterogeneous structure composed of multiple materials with varying properties, including bones, muscles, and skin. Additive manufacturing methods cannot easily print multiple materials simultaneously, as current AM machines only print homogeneous material, unlike the human body. In this proposal, we aim to develop a multi-material additive manufacturing system, from software to hardware, to manufacture pre-surgical models. We will investigate multi-material AM …

Impulse, Fall 2025, Jill Fier, Sierra Brown, Jerome J. Lohr College Of Engineering

Impulse (Jerome J. Lohr College of Engineering Publication)

2 | Faculty News
3 | SDSU Vet Hua to Head Civil Engineering
6 | Ad Lunam — To the Moon
10 | Building A Safety Culture
11 | Department News
12 | Surface Mount Technology Kickoff
14 | Construction Management Student, Volleyball Player Building Success Piece by Piece
16 | Student Awards, Honors
18 | Student Competition Results
20 | NASA Win Opens Doors for New Product Development Order
22 | SDSU Engineering Student Tabbed as Noblereach Fellow
26 | Knabach Award Recipient from Apprentice Lineman to Company President
28 | Metzger Create Faculty Endowment for SDSU Engineering
30 …