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Performance And Mechanistic Insights Into Cement Systems Modified With Wastewater-Recovered Struvite, Ugochukwu Ewuzie, Rupack R. Halder, Abdulkareem O. Yusuf, Abiodun A. Saka, Godwin I. Ogbuehi, Titus C. Egbosiuba, Damilola A. Daramola, Monday Uchenna Okoronkwo Feb 2026

Performance And Mechanistic Insights Into Cement Systems Modified With Wastewater-Recovered Struvite, Ugochukwu Ewuzie, Rupack R. Halder, Abdulkareem O. Yusuf, Abiodun A. Saka, Godwin I. Ogbuehi, Titus C. Egbosiuba, Damilola A. Daramola, Monday Uchenna Okoronkwo

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Struvite, the stable hydration product and primary strength phase in magnesium ammonium phosphate cement (MAPC), derived from wastewater treatment, has recently been utilized as a sustainable additive to Portland cement (PC). However, its impacts on cement hydration kinetics, pore refinement, rheology, and the mechanisms underlying these processes have not been comprehensively studied. This study developed Portland cement-struvite (PCS) systems by replacing PC with 3–20 % struvite (ST wt.%: PCS3–PCS20) and evaluated these processes using isothermal calorimetry, 3D micro-computed tomography (μXCT), time-dependent rheometry, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and the Krstulović-Dabić (K-D) model. The FTIR/XRD confirmed the coexistence …


Artificial Neural Network Model For Predicting Fatigue Endurance Limit Of Hot Mix Asphalt Using Uniaxial Tension–Compression Tests, Prashanta Kumar Acharjee, Mayzan Isied, Mena I. Souliman, Sameer Jung Karkl, Tanvir Ahmed, Gokhan Saygili Feb 2026

Artificial Neural Network Model For Predicting Fatigue Endurance Limit Of Hot Mix Asphalt Using Uniaxial Tension–Compression Tests, Prashanta Kumar Acharjee, Mayzan Isied, Mena I. Souliman, Sameer Jung Karkl, Tanvir Ahmed, Gokhan Saygili

Civil Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Fatigue is one of the major distresses occurring in asphalt concrete pavement. Repeated traffic loading causes escalated structural damage which results in the formation of cracks. There is a strain level below which the Hot Mix Asphalt goes under fatigue failure, and it is called endurance limit. In this study, a predictive model is developed to predict endurance limit strain values by using artificial neural network. Uniaxial tension-compression fatigue test results conducted under NCHRP Project 9–44 A were utilized in the model development process. An equation is also extracted from the model along which gives the exact values as the …


Inclusion Engineering Through Deoxidation Practice Optimization For Enhanced Mechanical Properties Of Cast Cr-Ni-Mo Steel, Kingsley T. Amatanweze, Viraj A. Athavale, Simon Lekakh, Ronald J. O'Malley, Laura N. Bartlett Feb 2026

Inclusion Engineering Through Deoxidation Practice Optimization For Enhanced Mechanical Properties Of Cast Cr-Ni-Mo Steel, Kingsley T. Amatanweze, Viraj A. Athavale, Simon Lekakh, Ronald J. O'Malley, Laura N. Bartlett

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Deoxidation is an integral part of steelmaking, as it determines steel castability, cleanliness, and porosity levels of the final product. Steel quality is critical to its performance and can be sabotaged by impurities such as non-metallic inclusions and porosity. This study investigates the effects of four distinct deoxidation practices, using Al, Al-Ca, Zr-Ca, and Mn-Si respectively, on tensile strength, tensile ductility and impact toughness of a Cr-Ni-Mo steel. These deoxidation reactions were modeled on a commercially available thermodynamic software and possible inclusion product phases were predicted. The casting samples were studied on a scanning electron microscope (SEM) utilizing energy dispersive …


Rapid Flood Inundation Mapping For Dam Failure And Operations, Shivakumar Balachandran, Parvaneh Nikrou, Ayman Mokhtar Nemnem, Reza Saleh Alipour, Sagy Cohen, Xingong Li, Erfan Goharian, Jasim Imran Feb 2026

Rapid Flood Inundation Mapping For Dam Failure And Operations, Shivakumar Balachandran, Parvaneh Nikrou, Ayman Mokhtar Nemnem, Reza Saleh Alipour, Sagy Cohen, Xingong Li, Erfan Goharian, Jasim Imran

Faculty Publications

Dam failure often causes catastrophic flooding. Although conventional hydrodynamic models are available for generating flood inundation maps, there is a need for low-complexity models that can provide rapid inundation estimates during emergency situations. Operational releases of large volumes may also lead to downstream flooding. This study utilizes two DEM-based models, OWP HAND-FIM and FLDPLN, to produce flood inundation maps for near-real-time operational applications. Three dam-related scenarios, including failures and controlled operations, are examined using these simplified models for the Fall River Dam in Kansas. Breach flows are estimated using empirical relationships, and discharge attenuation is calculated using an analytical approach. …


Characterization Of Sediment Loads And Size Distribution In Nebraska Roadway Runoff, Bruce I. Dvorak, David M. Admiraal, Pavel Shrestha Feb 2026

Characterization Of Sediment Loads And Size Distribution In Nebraska Roadway Runoff, Bruce I. Dvorak, David M. Admiraal, Pavel Shrestha

Nebraska Department of Transportation: Research Reports

The Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) must manage sediment, and pollutant loads from roadway runoff to meet stormwater regulations. The SAFL Baffle, a hydrodynamic separator used by NDOT, depends on reliable estimates of total suspended solids (TSS) and particle size distribution (PSD). However, limited data exists for Nebraska roadways. In this study stormwater runoff was monitored at four NDOT-maintained sites, two in Lincoln and two in Beatrice, over 1.5 years to characterize TSS and PSD and to evaluate SAFL Baffle performance using the SHSAM model. Results showed large variability across sites and seasons. Median TSS ranged from 158 to 580 …


A Runtime-Adaptive Transformer Neural Network Accelerator On Fpgas, Ehsan Kabir, Jason D. Bakos, David Andrews, Miaoqing Huang Feb 2026

A Runtime-Adaptive Transformer Neural Network Accelerator On Fpgas, Ehsan Kabir, Jason D. Bakos, David Andrews, Miaoqing Huang

Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

Transformer neural networks (TNN) excel in natural language processing (NLP), machine translation, and computer vision (CV) without relying on recurrent or convolutional layers. However, they have high computational and memory demands, particularly on resource constrained devices like FPGAs. Moreover, transformer models vary in processing time across applications, requiring custom models with specific parameters. Designing custom accelerators for each model is complex and time-intensive. Some custom accelerators exist with no runtime adaptability, and they often rely on sparse matrices to reduce latency. However, hardware designs become more challenging due to the need for application-specific sparsity patterns. This paper introduces ADAPTOR, a …


Optical Fiber Sensors Using Vernier Effect In Cascaded Fiber Interferometers, Zhouchen Wang Feb 2026

Optical Fiber Sensors Using Vernier Effect In Cascaded Fiber Interferometers, Zhouchen Wang

Dissertations

The optical Vernier effect has emerged as a powerful tool to enhance the sensitivity of optical fiber interferometer-based sensors, opening new opportunities for developing highly sensitive fiber sensing systems. Optical fiber interferometric sensors based on the Vernier effect are widely used for various applications due to their ultra-compact size, high sensitivity, immunity to electromagnetic interference, electrical isolation, resistance to harsh environments, flexibility, multiplexing capability, and remote operation. The aim of this doctoral thesis was to gain a deeper fundamental understanding of the Vernier effect in optical fiber structures and to develop and investigate a series of novel Vernier effect optical …


Enhancing Solar Energy Harvesting: A Comprehensive Study On Photothermal Conversion In Tin/Mxene-Mof Hybrid Nanofluids, Seyedeh Zahra Haeri, Ali Dashan, Javad Farahbakhsh, Mehdi Khiadani, Bahram Ramezanzadeh, Masoumeh Zargar Feb 2026

Enhancing Solar Energy Harvesting: A Comprehensive Study On Photothermal Conversion In Tin/Mxene-Mof Hybrid Nanofluids, Seyedeh Zahra Haeri, Ali Dashan, Javad Farahbakhsh, Mehdi Khiadani, Bahram Ramezanzadeh, Masoumeh Zargar

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The growing global energy demand highlights the need for renewable sources like solar energy as a key component of sustainable systems. This study focuses on developing two hybrid nanofluids, TiNML125 and MXML125, for optimizing solar energy harvesting. These nanofluids were synthesized via a solvothermal process, combining NH₂-MIL-125 with plasmonic nanoparticles, titanium nitride (TiN) and MXene (MX). Their thermal conductivity, stability, optical properties, and photothermal efficiency were analyzed. Results showed both nanofluids significantly outperformed single-component ML125, with TiNML125 improving absorption by 40 % and enhancing thermal conductivity. MXML125 demonstrated superior long-term stability, with a 25 % lower zeta potential reduction over …


The Impact Of A Structured Training Program On The Depth Perception Of Ab Initio Drone Pilots, John Murray, Steven Richardson, Keith Joiner, Graham Wild Feb 2026

The Impact Of A Structured Training Program On The Depth Perception Of Ab Initio Drone Pilots, John Murray, Steven Richardson, Keith Joiner, Graham Wild

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Highlights: What are the main findings? First empirical assessment of depth-perception improvement from an official RPAS training program. Demonstrates measurable perceptual-skill gains despite no explicit syllabus objective for depth perception. What are the implications of the main findings? Conducted in authentic operational settings under regulated conditions, ensuring strong external validity. Establishes a validated baseline for future comparative and longitudinal studies on perceptual training effectiveness. Flying remotely requires accurate perception of the environment to ensure safe operation. While remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) bring unique opportunities, they also present new challenges for the pilot, including exercising accurate depth perception. The impact of …


Influence Of Superhydrophobic Surface Microstructure On Transient Jet Impingement Cooling, D. Jacob Butterfield, Brian D. Iverson, Daniel Maynes, Julie Crockett Feb 2026

Influence Of Superhydrophobic Surface Microstructure On Transient Jet Impingement Cooling, D. Jacob Butterfield, Brian D. Iverson, Daniel Maynes, Julie Crockett

Faculty Publications

Water jet impingement is an effective method of rapidly cooling a surface, but heat transfer from the surface is highly dependent on the surface condition and properties. Here, the impact of a superhydrophobic (SH) surface on heat transfer to an impinging, axisymmetric, room-temperature water jet with Re=6 x 103to 18 x 103 is explored. SH surfaces are created by etching thin silicon wafers to form different micropatterns (posts or holes). Surfaces are heated to between 200 and 320°C, and the local surface temperature is measured with a thermal camera. The time resolved heat transfer from the surface and …


Optimization Of Pressure And Flow Rate For Co2 Microbubble Generation Using Porous Ceramic Membrane: Insights For Co₂ Geological Storage, Malek Jalilian, Tawanda Matamba, David Tang, Alireza Keshavarz, Stefan Iglauer Feb 2026

Optimization Of Pressure And Flow Rate For Co2 Microbubble Generation Using Porous Ceramic Membrane: Insights For Co₂ Geological Storage, Malek Jalilian, Tawanda Matamba, David Tang, Alireza Keshavarz, Stefan Iglauer

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

CO2 microbubbles show significant potential in carbon capture and storage (CCS) through enhancing CO2 dissolution and improving the residual trapping mechanism. To take full advantage of microbubbles, maximizing their generation by selecting the optimal operational conditions, including injection pressure and flow rate, is essential. In this study, we examined a wide range of experimental conditions to quantitatively evaluate the potential of a porous ceramic membrane for producing CO2 microbubbles in a chemical-free manner. In particular, the effects of injection pressure (5.0–10.0 MPa) and CO2 flow rate (0.25–5 mL/min) on mean bubble diameter (DMB) and microbubble yield efficiency (YMB) were systematically …


City Farm Slo Sheep Shed Concrete Slab Installation, Jake Simkins, Elijah Burt, Finnbarr Kelly Feb 2026

City Farm Slo Sheep Shed Concrete Slab Installation, Jake Simkins, Elijah Burt, Finnbarr Kelly

Construction Management

The City Farm SLO Sheep Shed Foundation Slab project, undertaken by California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo Construction Management students, aimed to improve the structural integrity and longevity of an existing livestock shelter at City Farm SLO. Initiated in coordination with Shane Lovell, owner and operator of City Farm SLO, and guided by Construction Management faculty member Mark Montoya, the project integrated community service with practical application of structural concrete construction principles. The scope involved temporarily removing an existing sheep shed from within an active livestock pen, preparing subgrade in muddy winter conditions, and constructing a reinforced 5-inch, 4500 …


Integrated Computational And Experimental Investigation Of Groups V And Vi Metals In (M,Hf,Ti,Zr)B2-(M,Hf,Ti,Zr)C Ceramics, Ana C. Feltrin, Simon Divilov, Gregory E. Hilmas, Stefano Curtarolo, William G. Fahrenholtz Feb 2026

Integrated Computational And Experimental Investigation Of Groups V And Vi Metals In (M,Hf,Ti,Zr)B2-(M,Hf,Ti,Zr)C Ceramics, Ana C. Feltrin, Simon Divilov, Gregory E. Hilmas, Stefano Curtarolo, William G. Fahrenholtz

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Dual-phase compositionally complex ultra-high temperature ceramics were formulated by incorporating different Groups V and VI metals such as V, Nb, Ta, Cr, Mo, or W into a base composition containing the Group IV elements, Hf, Ti, and Zr. Metal distribution was predicted using first-principles-based thermodynamics simulations and compared with experimental results. Moreover, phase stability, microstructure, and mechanical properties were evaluated for all of the ceramics. Compositions containing Cr, V, Nb, or Ta formed dual-phase ceramics containing only one boride and one carbide phase, while compositions containing Mo or W developed an additional third phase. The experimental metal distribution trends generally …


Co-Calcination Of Limestone And Clay Enhances The Performance Of Limestone Calcined Clay Cement (Lc3), Oluwadamilare Charles Adesina, Sahil Surehali, Avinaya Tripathi, Kayla Lauren Lee, Bryan K. Aylas-Paredes, Aditya Kumar, Narayanan Neithalath Feb 2026

Co-Calcination Of Limestone And Clay Enhances The Performance Of Limestone Calcined Clay Cement (Lc3), Oluwadamilare Charles Adesina, Sahil Surehali, Avinaya Tripathi, Kayla Lauren Lee, Bryan K. Aylas-Paredes, Aditya Kumar, Narayanan Neithalath

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Limestone-calcined clay cements (LC3) reduce the environmental impact of cement production and accelerate the industry transition toward carbon neutrality. While conventional LC3 with 50% clinker replacement (LC3-50) demonstrate long-term performance comparable to ordinary Portland cement (OPC) in concrete, early-age performance is generally compromised. This study explores for the first time, joint thermal treatment—that is, co-calcination—of limestone (LS) and bulk kaolinitic clay in mass ratios of 1:1 to 1:4 under a calcination regime specifically designed to ensure activation of the clay mineral. The co-calcination converts a small fraction of LS to metastable CaO, thus providing an …


Post-Calcium Treatment Evolution Of Alumina (Al2o3) Inclusions Morphology, Naziru I. Fuseini, Ronald J. O'Malley, Todd P. Sander, Jeffrey D. Smith, Haiming Wen, Laura N. Bartlett Feb 2026

Post-Calcium Treatment Evolution Of Alumina (Al2o3) Inclusions Morphology, Naziru I. Fuseini, Ronald J. O'Malley, Todd P. Sander, Jeffrey D. Smith, Haiming Wen, Laura N. Bartlett

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The post-calcium morphological evolution of Al2O3 inclusions formed under high-oxygen supersaturation (~1000 ppm) was investigated through time-resolved sampling and quenching of aluminum-killed, calcium-treated steel. SEM-EDS analysis revealed the formation of angular two-phase CaO·Al2O3–CaS inclusions within 1 minute, gradually transforming into spherical liquid 12CaO·7Al2O3 and CaO·Al2O3 with a thin CaS layer around it. The 3D morphology of the CaS phase of the complex CaO·Al2O3–CaS inclusions observed at 1 minute appeared as a cone-cap attached to the partially modified CaO·Al2O3. This …


Thermodynamic Analysis Of Metal Segregation In Two Metal Boride-Carbide Ceramics Containing V With Cr, Hf, Ti, Or Zr, Ana C. Feltrin, Simon Divilov, Gregory E. Hilmas, Stefano Curtarolo, William G. Fahrenholtz Feb 2026

Thermodynamic Analysis Of Metal Segregation In Two Metal Boride-Carbide Ceramics Containing V With Cr, Hf, Ti, Or Zr, Ana C. Feltrin, Simon Divilov, Gregory E. Hilmas, Stefano Curtarolo, William G. Fahrenholtz

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Dual-phase carbide-boride ceramics in different vanadium-Me (Me = Cr, Hf, Ti, and Zr) binary systems were synthesized by boro/carbothermal reduction under stoichiometric and carbon-deficient conditions and densified by spark plasma sintering. Thermodynamic analysis was used to evaluate the influence of composition on the phase stability and metal segregation between phases, along with the resulting effects on microstructure and hardness. Pairing vanadium with Group IV elements (Hf, Ti, and Zr) consistently formed one boride and one carbide phase, while the Cr-V system formed a monoboride phase and a carbon-deficient carbide. Metal segregation trends depended on composition. Vanadium preferentially segregated to the …


Hybrid Sensing For Near-Earth Space Domain Awareness: Leveraging Space-Based Assets For Augmenting Optical Ground Observations, Smriti Nandan Paul, Hang Woon Lee Feb 2026

Hybrid Sensing For Near-Earth Space Domain Awareness: Leveraging Space-Based Assets For Augmenting Optical Ground Observations, Smriti Nandan Paul, Hang Woon Lee

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Because of recent advancements in space technologies, easier and more economical access to space, and an increase in commercial interests, the near-Earth space environment has witnessed an exploding number of objects being put into orbit. In particular, the low Earth orbit (LEO) region is at an increased risk of orbital collisions from large satellite constellation projects. Thus, monitoring LEO objects for space domain awareness and space traffic management has become increasingly imperative. In this paper, we use the concept of limited-CDF (cumulative distribution function) surface and mutual information for designing sensor tasking algorithms focusing on regular observation of known catalog …


Efficiency Evaluation Of Different Methods For Nitrogen Removal In Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plants: An Integrative Review, Cristiane G. Ferrarezzi, Juliana Canto Duarte Feb 2026

Efficiency Evaluation Of Different Methods For Nitrogen Removal In Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plants: An Integrative Review, Cristiane G. Ferrarezzi, Juliana Canto Duarte

The School of Sustainability Engineering and Environmental Engineering (SEE) Graduate Student Publications

Domestic wastewaters present high nitrogen levels due to the urea and ammonia, which are excreted into urine. Municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) normally face some challenges in keeping their treated wastewater at a low total nitrogen concentration, since the majority of their wastewater is domestic. Low nitrogen levels in the treated wastewater are important to avoid increasing eutrophication of the receptor body, which receives the treated wastewater. This work presents an integrative review considering studies related to denitrification in domestic WWTPs published from January 1st, 2018, to April 30th, 2023. This review aims to identify the most effective methods for …


Artificial Intelligence, Society 5.0 And Smart City Adaptation Initiatives For Businesses: An Integrated Approach, Ines A. M. Gila, Fernando A. F. Ferreira, Neuza C. M. Q. F. Ferreira, Florentin Smarandache, Momtaj Khanam, Tugrul Unsal Daim Feb 2026

Artificial Intelligence, Society 5.0 And Smart City Adaptation Initiatives For Businesses: An Integrated Approach, Ines A. M. Gila, Fernando A. F. Ferreira, Neuza C. M. Q. F. Ferreira, Florentin Smarandache, Momtaj Khanam, Tugrul Unsal Daim

Engineering and Technology Management Faculty Publications and Presentations

The mass migration of human populations to urban areas has resulted in unprecedented challenges for city services. To address and find solutions for these emerging issues, decision-makers must embrace the smart city and Society 5.0 paradigms, which comprehensively tackle various dimensions of the problem and ensure adaptability to evolving citizen needs. Central to the success of these paradigms is technology, particularly artificial intelligence (AI). AI’s transformative capabilities enable the expansion of services, automation of tasks, efficient operationalization and processing vast amounts of data to address urban challenges, aligning with several sustainable development goals (SDGs) such as sustainable cities and communities …


Utilization Of Plastic Waste In The Concrete Industry, Nancy Abdelmoneim Sakr Feb 2026

Utilization Of Plastic Waste In The Concrete Industry, Nancy Abdelmoneim Sakr

Theses and Dissertations

Plastic recycling has emerged as a crucial strategy that aligns with environmental, social and economic sustainability indicators. Currently, substantial volumes of plastic waste are either deposited in landfills or incinerated, neglecting the potential to harness its embodied energy and the energy consumed for producing virgin materials. A key advantage of plastic lies in its promising mechanical properties. Concrete mix design is fundamental to a wide range of construction applications, including brick walls, reinforced concrete slabs and concrete pavements. Despite the adoption of recycled plastic in construction materials in various countries, its widespread implementation remains limited. This is primarily due to …


Constrained Pricing In Logit-Based Revenue Management, Qian Shao, Tien Mai, Shih-Fen Cheng Feb 2026

Constrained Pricing In Logit-Based Revenue Management, Qian Shao, Tien Mai, Shih-Fen Cheng

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

We consider a dynamic pricing problem in network revenue management in which customer behavior is predicted by a choice model, that is, the multinomial logit model. The problem, even in the static setting (i.e., customer demand remains unchanged over time), is highly nonconcave in prices. Existing studies mostly rely on the observation that the objective function is concave in terms of purchasing probabilities, implying that the static pricing problem with linear constraints on purchasing probabilities can be efficiently solved. However, this approach is limited in handling constraints on prices, noting that such constraints could be highly relevant in some real …


Light Cone Cancellation For Variational Quantum Eigensolver In Solving Noisy Max-Cut, Xinwei Lee, Xinjian Yan, Ningyi Xie, Yoshiyuki Saito, Leo Kurosawa, Nobuyoshi Asai, Dongsheng Cai, Hoong Chuin Lau Feb 2026

Light Cone Cancellation For Variational Quantum Eigensolver In Solving Noisy Max-Cut, Xinwei Lee, Xinjian Yan, Ningyi Xie, Yoshiyuki Saito, Leo Kurosawa, Nobuyoshi Asai, Dongsheng Cai, Hoong Chuin Lau

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

Variational Quantum Eigensolver (VQE) is a quantum-classical hybrid algorithm used to estimate the ground energy of a given Hamiltonian. It consists of a parameterized quantum circuit, which the parameters are optimized using a classical optimizer. With the increasing need in solving large-scale problems in real-world applications, solving those large problems with fewer qubits and fewer gates becomes essential, so that we reduce the simulation difficulty and mitigate the effect of noise in real quantum hardware. In this study, we applied the Light Cone Cancellation (LCC) method to reduce the number of qubits and gates required in a two-local ansatz. LCC …


In-Situ Carbon Mineralization Through Injection Of Co2-Saturated Water Into Basalts: Effects On Pore Network, Seyi Philemon Akanji, Lionel Esteban, Ausama Giwelli, Joel Sarout, Alireza Keshavarz, Stefan Iglauer Feb 2026

In-Situ Carbon Mineralization Through Injection Of Co2-Saturated Water Into Basalts: Effects On Pore Network, Seyi Philemon Akanji, Lionel Esteban, Ausama Giwelli, Joel Sarout, Alireza Keshavarz, Stefan Iglauer

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) offers the potential to remove and safely store significant quantities of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, thereby limiting global warming. Conventional geological storage involves injecting CO2, in gaseous or supercritical state, into porous rock reservoirs, relying on geological top seals, capillary forces and/or dissolution in groundwater as the primary “locking-in” processes. An alternative method injects CO2-saturated water into mafic rocks (basalts), chemically inducing in-situ mineralization of CO2 to form solid carbonate minerals. This mechanism offers the lowest risk of carbon returning to the atmosphere. This review synthesizes field and laboratory studies on CO2 mineralization in …


Treatment And Valorization Of Spent Caustic Brine: A Critical Review With Emphasis On Membrane Technologies, Rouba D. Al Bostami, Amani Al Othman, Muhammad Tawalbeh, Kerry N. Mcphedran, Mohammad Mahdi A. Shirazi Feb 2026

Treatment And Valorization Of Spent Caustic Brine: A Critical Review With Emphasis On Membrane Technologies, Rouba D. Al Bostami, Amani Al Othman, Muhammad Tawalbeh, Kerry N. Mcphedran, Mohammad Mahdi A. Shirazi

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Spent caustic brine (SCB) is a hazardous yet resource-rich industrial waste, primarily composed of sodium hydroxide, water, and contaminants such as sulfides, phenols, organic compounds, heavy metals, and valuable minerals. Originating from industries such as oil and gas, metal finishing, and food processing, SCB poses high pH ('11), high total dissolved solids (up to 58,000 ppm), heavy metal content, and elevated chemical oxygen demand (COD). In this work, treatment and valorization methods for SCB are categorized into three groups: traditional techniques without caustic or water recovery, conventional techniques with limited recovery, and membrane technologies offering effective caustic and water recovery …


Fiber-Reinforced Foam Concrete Using Quarry Micro Fines And Sugarcane Bagasse Ash: A Box–Behnken Design Optimization And Performance Assessment, Ravindaran Thangavel, Sanjay Kumar Shukla, Mini K. Madhavan Feb 2026

Fiber-Reinforced Foam Concrete Using Quarry Micro Fines And Sugarcane Bagasse Ash: A Box–Behnken Design Optimization And Performance Assessment, Ravindaran Thangavel, Sanjay Kumar Shukla, Mini K. Madhavan

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Foam concrete is well-appreciated for its thermal and acoustic benefits and is prepared by introducing foam into cement slurry/mortar. The current research examines the feasibility of Quarry Micro Fines (QMF), a waste generated from the quarries during sand manufacturing, as a substitute for fine aggregate in the preparation of foam concrete. During the preparation of concrete, a portion of cement is replaced with sugarcane bagasse ash (SCBA), while polypropylene (PP) fibers are added to improve the shrinkage resistance and tensile strength of the resulting concrete. A three-factor, three-level Box–Behnken Design (BBD) in Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was used to optimize …


Mechanical Properties And Reproducibility Of One-Part Ambient-Cured Slag And Fly Ash-Based Geopolymer Concrete, Daro Sun, Jessey Lee, Alireza Mohyeddin, Janitha Migunthanna Feb 2026

Mechanical Properties And Reproducibility Of One-Part Ambient-Cured Slag And Fly Ash-Based Geopolymer Concrete, Daro Sun, Jessey Lee, Alireza Mohyeddin, Janitha Migunthanna

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The cement industry is a major source of anthropogenic CO2 emissions due to its energy-intensive production process and calcination of limestone. Producing one ton of cement emits approximately one ton of CO2, and cement accounts for about 5% to 8% of global CO2 emissions. In this context, cement-less one-part (“just-add-water”) ambient-cured geopolymer concrete (GPC) has gained attention due to its environmental friendliness and practicality for large-scale cast-in-situ construction. However, field adoption remains limited, mainly due to the scarcity of data on mechanical properties and durability, as well as the lack of widely accepted standards and specifications. This paper is part …


Mining Waste As A Resource In Construction: Applications, Benefits, And Challenges, Chathurika Dassanayake, Nuha S. Mashaan, Daniel Oguntayo Feb 2026

Mining Waste As A Resource In Construction: Applications, Benefits, And Challenges, Chathurika Dassanayake, Nuha S. Mashaan, Daniel Oguntayo

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Mining activities generate vast quantities of waste each year, including mine tailings, bauxite residue, waste rock, and various metallurgical slags. Although these materials have traditionally been regarded as environmental liabilities, many possess physical and chemical properties that make them promising candidates for use in construction. This review synthesizes recent research on the utilization of major mining waste streams, with particular emphasis on pavement applications and other construction materials. The findings indicate that bauxite residue exhibits both pozzolanic and filler characteristics, demonstrating potential in asphalt mastics, asphalt mixtures, and other construction products. Nonetheless, its widespread adoption is constrained by issues such …


High-Throughput Computational Framework For High-Order Anharmonic Thermal Transport In Cubic And Tetragonal Crystals, Zhi Li, Huiju Lee, Chris Wolverton, Yi Xia Feb 2026

High-Throughput Computational Framework For High-Order Anharmonic Thermal Transport In Cubic And Tetragonal Crystals, Zhi Li, Huiju Lee, Chris Wolverton, Yi Xia

Mechanical and Materials Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Accurate first-principles prediction of lattice thermal conductivity (κ L) remains challenging in identifying materials with extreme thermal behavior. While the harmonic approximation with three-phonon scattering (HA + 3ph) is now routine, reliable κ L prediction often requires higher-order anharmonic effects, including self-consistent phonon renormalization, three- and four-phonon scattering, and off-diagonal heat flux (SCPH + 3, 4ph + OD). We present a state-of-the-art high-throughput workflow that unifies these effects and apply it to 773 cubic and tetragonal crystals spanning diverse chemistries and structures. From 562 dynamically stable compounds, we assess the hierarchical impacts of higher-order anharmonicity. For around 60% of materials, …


Three-Dimensional Topographical Effects On The Generation Of Internal Lee Waves, Haosen H.A. Xu, Xiaowei Zhu, Kaiwen Zheng Feb 2026

Three-Dimensional Topographical Effects On The Generation Of Internal Lee Waves, Haosen H.A. Xu, Xiaowei Zhu, Kaiwen Zheng

Mechanical and Materials Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Internal lee waves generated by the interaction between geostrophic flows and ocean-floor topography are recognized as an important pathway for transferring energy from large-scale circulation to small-scale mixing in the deep ocean; however, energy fluxes inferred from field observations often fall well below estimates based on classical linear theory. Here, we use direct numerical simulations to examine how three-dimensional (3D) topographic structure alters the generation and energy pathways of internal lee waves. We simulated idealized stratified flows impinging on twodimensional (2D) and 3D sinusoidal topography in a radiating regime. We used Reynolds decomposition based on spatial averaging to isolate wave-induced …


Predicting Water Quality Using Quantum Machine Learning: The Case Of The Umgeni Catchment (U20a) Study Region, Jamal Al-Karaki, Muhammad Al Zafar Khan, Amjad Gawanmeh, Marwan Omar Feb 2026

Predicting Water Quality Using Quantum Machine Learning: The Case Of The Umgeni Catchment (U20a) Study Region, Jamal Al-Karaki, Muhammad Al Zafar Khan, Amjad Gawanmeh, Marwan Omar

All Works

The assessment of water quality has become increasingly vital for maintaining the ecological balance and ensuring public safety across global water systems. This study examines the application of Quantum Machine Learning (QML) techniques in a real-world setting to predict water quality in the U20A region of the Umgeni Catchment, Durban, South Africa. We implemented the Quantum Support Vector Classifier (QSVC) and Quantum Neural Network (QNN) on a field-collected dataset. Our results demonstrate that the QSVC is more practical to implement and yields superior performance, achieving 75 % accuracy with polynomial and radial basis function kernels. In contrast, the QNN encountered …