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The Effect Of Ozone Treatment On The Quality Of Biodiesel From Waste Cooking Oil, Sri Redjeki Setyawati, Singgih Wibowo

Makara Journal of Science

This research demonstrates the successful production of biodiesel from waste cooking oil (WCO) using the transesterification method. A methoxide solution, formed by employing a base catalyst and alcohol, facilitated the conversion of triglycerides into methyl esters and glycerol as the byproduct. The conversion process yielded 74% biodiesel and 13.5% glycerol content, with the remaining proportion consisting of water and contaminants. The application of ozone (O₃) aeration proved effective in reducing contaminants—such as alcohol, unreacted catalysts, food residues and water—by approximately 60%. Furthermore, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) testing affirmed that the biodiesel product—treated with O₃ aeration—maintained its original …

Effect Of Varying Chitosan Molecular Weights On The Morphology And Physical Characteristics Of Pva/Chitosan Composite Hydrogels, Yuan Alfinsyah Sihombing, Halida Rahmi Luthfianti, William Xaveriano Waresindo, Marathur Rodhiyah, Nur’Aini Nafisah, Dian Ahmad Hapidin, Dhewa Edikresnha, Khairurrijal Khairurrijal

Makara Journal of Science

We employed the innovative freeze–thaw method to investigate the effect of chitosan (CS) molecular weights incorporated into polyvinyl alcohol on the morphology and physical characteristics of the hydrogel. This study aimed to unravel the intricate relationships between CS molecular weight variations, CS concentration, and the number of freeze–thaw cycles (4 or 6 cycles) on hydrogel swelling degree and weight loss. Incorporating CS improved the hydrogel structure and enhanced its porosity, resulting in remarkable increases in swelling degree ranging from 2 to 6 times the initial weight. Higher molecular weight CS (310,000–375,000 Da) exhibited a lower swelling degree than medium molecular …

Effect Of Fine Particle Peening Induced Material Transfer On The Initial Deposition Behavior Of Nickel Electroplating On Aluminum Substrate, Kazuki Iijima, Yutaka Kameyama, Hideaki Sato, Shuhei Kodama

15th International Conference on Shot Peening

Plating on aluminum requires a complex zincate pretreatment. Fine Particle Peening (FPP), using particles ≤200 µm, has gained attention as an alternative due to its ability to transfer particle components onto the surface, potentially improving deposition and adhesion. Previous studies showed enhanced plating on aluminum treated with steel particles. This study investigates the effectiveness of FPP as a pretreatment for nickel electroplating by examining initial deposition behavior. A1050-H24 aluminum was treated using FPP with either steel or glass particles, compared to an untreated specimen. Steel particle FPP created a lamellar microstructure with alternating iron and aluminum phases. EBSD revealed that …

The Effect Of Surface Treatment On The Fatigue Strength Of Sus316l Additive Manufactured Products, Hitoshi Nishijima, Yuji Kobayashi, Toshiya Tsuji, Kiyotaka Masaki

15th International Conference on Shot Peening

Rotating bending fatigue tests were conducted to investigate the effect of shot peening and barrel finishing on fatigue properties of SUS316L made by laser PBF which was one of additive manufacturing processes. Surface roughness, residual stress, and fatigue strength were investigated for each specimen. As a result, the fatigue strength of the barrel finished specimens was almost same or better than that of the shot peened specimens. Barrel finished specimens increased 4.1 times higher fatigue strength than as-built specimens. The surface roughness of the specimens after barrel finishing was reduced by up to 96% compared to the as-built specimens. On …

Enhancing The Fatigue Strength Of Am Materials Via Mechanical Surface Treatment, Fabian Keil, Jan Schubnell, Sascha Fliegener, Alexander Heiss

15th International Conference on Shot Peening

Additive manufacturing (AM) processes, while enabling the production of intricate geometries, frequently result in suboptimal surface quality, which can significantly restrict the fatigue strength of components when compared to those manufactured using traditional methods. This study explores the effectiveness of mechanical surface treatment (MST) techniques, specifically shot peening and deep rolling, in enhancing the fatigue performance of additively manufactured AlSi10Mg and 316L alloys. A combination of experimental investigations and finite element simulations was employed to evaluate the influence of these treatments on surface integrity, microstructure, and fatigue life. The results reveal that both MST approaches lead to substantial improvements in …

Dynamic Flowsheet Modeling Of Shot Peening Processes, Langdon Feltner, Paul Mort

15th International Conference on Shot Peening

Process flowsheet modeling is used to map and predict performance by integrating sub-models within a system. This paper presents a dynamic flowsheet for shot peening used to track the effects of media characteristics, removal of worn media, and replenishment thereof. Input parameters include media characteristics, media feed rate, velocity (i.e., air pressure), effective impact area (i.e., nozzle setup), and recharge replenishment. The media working mix is described dynamically using tri-modal size and shape characteristics: as-manufactured, conditioned, and worn modes, each having impact-dependent rate coefficients for transition to the next mode, i.e., as-manufactured > conditioned > worn > debris. The flowsheet includes the effect …

Expansion Of Laser Peening Application With A High-Power Microchip Laser On A Robotic Arm, Yuji Sano, Yoshio Mizuta, Satoshi Tamaki, Tomonao Hosokai, Tomoharu Kato, Yoshihiro Sakino, Volker Schneidau, Sebastian Holz, Jörg Behler

15th International Conference on Shot Peening

Laser peening (LP) introduces compressive residual stress (RS) onto the surface of metallic materials using nanosecond laser pulses irradiated through a water layer, thereby effectively suppressing fatigue crack initiation. However, conventional LP systems require large, stationary setups, restricting their use to indoor environments. To overcome this limitation, a portable LP device featuring a finger-sized microchip laser mounted on a collaborative robot arm has been developed. Equipped with a compact power supply and a water circulation/recovery system, the device can operate on-site with minimal setup. Successful processing across various materials has confirmed both compressive RS induction and fatigue life extension. Notably, …

Effects Of Laser Peening On Fatigue Properties Of Welded Aluminum Thin Plates, Kiyotaka Masaki, Yoshio Mizuta, Satoshi Tamaki, Yuji Sano

15th International Conference on Shot Peening

To improve the fatigue properties of welded aluminum alloy thin plates used in transportation machinery, handheld laser peening (HH-LP) was applied to 2 mm-thick A5083-O specimens prepared by bead-on TIG welding. Conventional laser peening often causes warping in thin plates, but the HH-LP treatment using low-energy laser pulses avoids this problem. The HH-LP treatment introduced compressive residual stresses of over 200 MPa on the heat-affected zone (HAZ) of the welded specimens. Fatigue tests under plane bending conditions revealed that the HH-LP treatment significantly improved the fatigue strength of the welded specimens, achieving a level comparable to that of the base …

Origin And Interpretation Of Psi-Splitting And Out Of Plane Shear Stress When Using Diffraction Techniques, Mohammed Belassel, James A. Pineault, Michael E. Brauss

15th International Conference on Shot Peening

Psi-splitting is a phenomenon often observed in interplanar d-spacing vs. sin²ψ plots during the analysis of residual stress measurement data when employing the X-ray diffraction (XRD) method. Deviations from the expected linear relationship between interplanar d-spacing and sin²ψ are typically caused by the presence of out-of-plane shear stresses or inhomogeneous stress distributions within the measured phase of the material. In such cases, the d-spacing values measured at different ψ tilt angles deviate from the anticipated linear trend, resulting in a characteristic splitting of the d-spacing vs. sin²ψ plot data, where the shape of the data in the plot takes the …

Battery Management System For Solar Powered Li-Ion Battery In Electric Vehicle Applications: A Comprehensive Review, Mustafa Abdulelah Ali, Mohanad Aljanabi, Faris Mohammed Ali

The Nexus of Sustainability and Energy Technology Journal

Electric Vehicle (EV) charging use is going up solar installations on rooftops and on a large scale in power plants are increasing consequently. Therefore, a Battery Management System (BMS), which is the system for managing battery storage, was used to control the solar energy generation to coordinate charging. Such a connection gives the BMS the opportunity to modify charging/discharging patterns with the help of solar energy predictions and prices of electricity from the grid. Moreover, the battery is being protected from aging with the BMS to monitor the state of charge/health of the battery. The BMS protects the Li-ion batteries …

Fdm In Textiles - Present Scenario, Challenges And Future Prospects, Kaniz Farhana, Abdul Mahadin Labid, Mahnur Rahman Jahwa, Sabikun Nahar Sadia, Kamal Tafcir Rayhan, Abu Shadate Faisal Mahamude

The Nexus of Sustainability and Energy Technology Journal

In contemporary society, additive manufacturing, also known as 3D printing, is the most valuable production process. Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) is the most concentrated version because of its versatility, output quality, speed, and other attributes. The goal of this study is to give readers a thorough understanding of FDM and the graphic examination of its effects in the textile industry. This article provides a detailed examination of FDM technology, covering its history, benefits, drawbacks, sustainability, and contributions to many FDM fields. A particular emphasis on the role that FDM plays in the textile industry, as well as its prospects for …

Study Of Mechanical Properties Of 3d Printed Advanced Polymer, R. Kumaresan, D. Ramasamy, W.S.W. Harun, Sivaraos Sivaraos, Semin Semin, Krishnan Kanny, Habeeb Hattab Habeeb

The Nexus of Sustainability and Energy Technology Journal

This thesis focuses on the mechanical behaviour of ABS which is an advanced polymer material produced by 3D printing. The ABS specimens used in this work were prepared by fused deposition modelling (FDM) to compare the compressive and tensile strength with ASTM D 695. Critical settings within the range of 3D printing process including layer height, fill angle and density were adjusted to investigate the impact on ABS mechanical properties. The effects of these parameters are observed to have a profound impact on the strength and the stiffness of the printed specimens. Further, the optimal conditions for ABS print were …

Sustainable Additive Manufacturing Of Polymer Composites: A Review, Wan Sharuzi Wan Harun, Faiz Ahmad, Farhana Mohd Foudzi, Fujio Tsumori, Arun Kumar Thirugnanasambandam, Mohammed Saber

The Nexus of Sustainability and Energy Technology Journal

Additive Manufacturing (AM) of polymer composites has matured from a prototyping tool into a viable process for functional components. This review critically assesses this progress, focusing on the intersection of performance, sustainability, and industrial readiness. Advancements in AM processes now accommodate diverse reinforcements, from nanoscale fillers to continuous fibres, yielding parts with exceptional mechanical properties. Concurrently, a sustainability strategy has emerged, prioritising bio-based and recycled feedstocks, enhanced process energy efficiency through novel out-of-oven curing, and circular economy principles. However, widespread industrial adoption is hindered by persistent challenges. These include managing fibre-matrix interfacial integrity, the inherent anisotropy of printed parts, complex …

Unlocking Potential: A Case Study Of Solar Photovoltaic Growth And Challenges In Bangladesh, Kaniz Farhana, Borhan Uddin Khan, Aditya Bhattacharjee, Abu Shadate Faisal Mahamude

The Nexus of Sustainability and Energy Technology Journal

This case study looks at the design and technology of photovoltaic cells and assesses Bangladesh’s advancements in using solar energy, including government programs. Because of Bangladesh’s continuous industrialization and population increase, the country’s energy needs are rising quickly. These issues can be resolved by solar photovoltaic (PV) cells, which provide a renewable energy source because of their adaptability, minimal environmental impact, and fuel independence. Due to its advantageous location, Bangladesh receives a significant amount of solar energy every day, which makes solar photovoltaic cells a viable choice. The Bangladeshi government has taken several steps to encourage solar energy, and organizations …

Chacahoula 2025, Volume 92, Alayna Pellegrin

Chacahoula

The 2025 issue of Chacahoula includes December 2024 and May 2025 graduating classes, as well as stunning photography student life on the banks of Bayou Desiard. With features covering students, faculty, and staff, this year's time capsule preserves an academic year in the life of the University of Louisiana at Monroe.

Facilitating The Move Towards A Wellbeing Economy Through Supporting Infrastructure: A Review Of Frontrunner Countries, Henry Bartelet, Vincent De Gooyert

Quantitative Methods and Information Technology Faculty Publications

As more governments seek to shift beyond gross domestic product (GDP) as the dominant measure of progress, the concept of a “wellbeing economy” has gained traction. This approach prioritizes human and environmental wellbeing through broader, more holistic policy frameworks. A central question in this transition is what the implications of shifts to a wellbeing economy are for infrastructure investments. In this study, we identify four frontrunner governments, Bhutan, Scotland, New Zealand, and Wales, that have formally adopted wellbeing economy principles. We analyse how each operationalizes the concept and assess the resulting implications for infrastructure planning and investment. Despite shared goals, …

Design Of Non-Invasive Device To Measure Differential Flow In The Carotid Arteries, Rachel Elisabeth Jacquay

Masters Theses

A stroke is categorized as quickly developing symptoms of cerebral function loss with no apparent cause other than that of vascular origin. Stroke detection in prehospital settings, such as an ambulance, is subjective and often requires additional imaging methods to obtain a definitive conclusion. Common non-invasive methods for stroke detection include Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Computed Tomography (CT) scans. Still, these techniques can be expensive, time-consuming, and dangerous due to exposure to strong magnetic fields and radiation. Two additional methods have been proposed for quick, inexpensive, and non-invasive stroke detection, namely Ultrasound Doppler and Pressure Transducer. A simplified physical …

Cyberbullying Defensive Strategy In Social Media Sessions Via Machine Learning And Cyber Deception, Mohammad Shafiqul Islam

Masters Theses

Cyberbullying poses a significant challenge on social media, where traditional detection systems struggle with the nuanced and dynamic nature of online abuse. This thesis proposes an integrated framework that combines large language model (LLM)-based detection with generative decoy responses to enable real-time protection for victims on platforms like Instagram and WhatsApp. Using models such as Mistral 7B, GPT-3.5 Turbo, and Phi-3 Mini, prompt-based one-shot learning achieved 87% detection accuracy and a 5% F1-score improvement over zero-shot approaches, demonstrating robust identification of text-based bullying. A novel synthetic dataset of 98 multi-turn conversations, designed with diverse subtypes and evaluated for realism, addressed …

Evaluation Of Robotic Swabbing And Fluorescent Sensing To Monitor The Hygiene Of Food Contact Surfaces, Siavash Mahmoudi, Clark Griscom, Pouya Sohrabipour, Yang Tian, Chaitanya Palleria, Philip G. Crandall, Dongyi Wang

Biological and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Effective environmental monitoring is critical for preventing microbial and allergenic cross-contamination. However, manual swabbing methods, commonly used to verify hygienic conditions, are prone to inconsistent results because of variability in pressure, coverage, and techniques. Two novel solutions will be explored to address these challenges: a robotic swabbing system with tactile sensing control, and a fluorescence/absorbance spectrometer for non-contact, protein-based residue detection. The robotic system was evaluated against trained and untrained humans, measuring water pickup, surface coverage, and pressure consistency. Concurrently, the fluorescence system analyzed model poultry protein soil to correlate spectral patterns with contamination levels. The robotic system demonstrated statistically …

Eng- Semicon: Understanding Nanoscale Heat Transport In Wide- And Ultrawide Bandgap Semiconductors Using Novel Deep Ultraviolet Tools, Joshua Lee Knobloch

Funded Research Records

No abstract provided.

Teaching Science And Technology As Stewardship Of God’S Creation, Fred Haan

University Faculty Publications and Creative Works

Took place on 9/24/25 at Sekolah Pelita Harapan, Lippo Village in Jakarta, Indonesia. The event was called Integration of Faith and Learning in K-12 Education.

Click-Ready Gold Nanoparticles From Aqueous Mechanochemistry: 2-Propynylamine As A Reducing Agent And Surface Ligand, Amber L. Garcia, Brian S. Mitchell, Amanda Reusch, Mark J. Fink, Juan P. Hinestroza, Yelin Ko, Julie P. Vanegas

Physics & Astronomy Faculty Publications

We report a rapid aqueous method for synthesizing monodisperse gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), employing 2-propynylamine as both an intrinsic reducing agent and a surface-stabilizing ligand. This self-mediated process—achieved in a single step—yields spherical AuNPs with an average diameter of 4.0 ± 1.0 nm and a well-defined localized surface plasmon resonance band centered at 520 nm. Acting as a bifunctional molecule, 2-propynylamine simultaneously reduces HAuCl4·3H2O to elemental gold and passivates the nanoparticle surface through coordination via the amine group, while preserving a terminal alkyne (–C≡CH) functionality. This reactive moiety remains exposed and chemically accessible, enabling post-synthetic modification through Cu(I)-catalyzed azide–alkyne cycloaddition. Control …

Seismic Fragility Analysis Of Above-Ground Liquid Storage Tanks, Pooyan Khajeh Shahzanian

Dissertations and Theses

Liquid storage tanks are critical infrastructure, serving as key storage facilities for various products. As the contents in these tanks are usually highly toxic and flammable, damage to these structures under earthquakes can cause severe consequences, including energy shortage, fire and explosion, and spilling and long-term environmental damages.

Although new liquid storage tanks are designed according to the updated seismic design codes, large numbers of existing storage tanks were built before modern seismic design codes and did not undergo necessary seismic retrofitting. Observations and reports from past earthquakes demonstrate that these older tanks can be highly vulnerable to seismic excitation. …

Evaluation Of Peening Intensity With Nozzle-Mounted Sensor During Processing, Akinori Matsui, Shuji Hayashida, Yuji Kobayashi

15th International Conference on Shot Peening

In recent years, digital technologies have been increasingly applied in manufacturing, including visualization and anomaly detection in production equipment. In shot peening, Peening Intensity is a key process control indicator, but its measurement requires significant manual effort. This study aims to evaluate the possibility of using an AE-sensor-mounted nozzle to estimate Peening Intensity. We conducted experiments comparing sensor outputs with experimented Intensity under controlled conditions. A strong correlation (R² ≥ 0.95) was observed, suggesting that Peening Intensity can be estimated via AE sensing. This approach may contribute to labor-saving and automation in shot peening processes.

Comparison Of Anti-Fouling Performance Of Textured Glass Surface Fabricated By Ductile-Mode Peening And Precision Grinding, Hayato Tagaya, Yutaka Kameyama, Shuhei Kodama, Hideaki Sato, Kento Shinagawa, Ayumu Sekiguchi, Seiji Hirai, Hitoshi Ohmori

15th International Conference on Shot Peening

Recently, there has been a growing demand for precision processing glass. In addition to dimensional accuracy, surface texturing to impart functional properties has attracted increasing attention. For example, anti-fouling performance against powder adhesion is required for cover glasses of solar cells. Powder adhesion is governed by van der Waals forces, which depend on the surface texture of the substrate, suggesting that surface structures influence adhesion behavior. Our previous study demonstrated that angled fine particle peening (FPP) could fabricate a nanoscale fine texture on glass surfaces through ductile-mode peening—glass processing without brittle fracture. In this study, the effect of surface texturing …

Evaluating The Effectiveness Of Localized Masking To Prevent Changes In Residual Stress When Shot Peening, James R. Harrison, James Pineault, Tom Mills

15th International Conference on Shot Peening

When shot peening components, it is common practice to mask certain localized regions where peening roughness is not desirable. For example, surfaces that have been highly machined such as bearing races or areas of interference-fit may require masking to protect them from the cold working effects of shot peening. Oftentimes shot peening the grip sections of fatigue test coupons can prevent cracking and failures due to fretting fatigue in the grip area but could affect the outcome of the test if applied to the gauge section of the coupons. Thus, maintaining an “as machined” surface roughness is the most common …

The Use Of A Dynamic Imaging System To Characterize Particle Size And Shape For Shot Peening Media, Matthew Spink, Tod Canty, Langdon Feltner, Paul Mort

15th International Conference on Shot Peening

Shot peening is a cold working process that enhances the mechanical properties of components such as springs, axles, and gears. Shot media are projected at a high velocity against the material’s surface, creating a layer of compressive residual stress that improves fatigue and wear resistance of the material. The size and shape of the media affect the residual stress layer that is created. To ensure consistent quality, it is critical to characterize and control the particle size and shape distribution of the shot media, both as-manufactured and in the working mix. This paper presents how the use of a dynamic …

Microstructural Changes And Residual Stress Generation On The Periodically Patterned Surface Texture Fabricated By Angled Fine Particle Peening, Yutaka Kameyama, Hideaki Sato, Ryokichi Shimpo

15th International Conference on Shot Peening

Focusing on the potential of peening technology as a surface texturing technique, angled fine particle peening (angled-FPP) has been proposed to fabricate a specific periodical surface structure, which possibly provides various surface functions. It is necessary to further characterize the textured surface to earn more advantages from angled-FPP. Thus, in this paper, texture formation phenomena, residual stress, and microstructural changes were investigated on the angled-FPP specimens.

Methodologies And Applications Of Precision Shot Peening To Hole Or Slot Geometry, James C. Hoffman

15th International Conference on Shot Peening

Shot peening, a commonly used method of fatigue and surface enhancement, is a critical process in many of the components in the aerospace industry. When it comes to small holes and/or slot geometries in these components, the process can become a challenge when these features are smaller than a conventional size Almen strip. In these cases, a decision must be made about how to process this type of geometry. Oftentimes, the method to apply the shot peen process is already defined in a process specification or part print so we must adhere to that method. If a method is not …

Portable Inspection Technology For Shot Peening As Preventive Maintenance At Steel Bridges, Yoshihiro Watanabe, Ryosuke Watanabe, Mitsuru Handa, Kanehisa Hattori, Masato Yamawaki, Koji Kinoshita

15th International Conference on Shot Peening

Positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS) is a non-destructively technique to study open-volume lattice defects such as vacancies or dislocations, which is used for fatigue, aging and shot peening inspection. In this study, we developed a portable PALS apparatus that has the ability for on-site measurement[1,2]. We developed the light-shielding technique which enable us to do on-site measurement. Furthermore, we downsized the apparatus size using Monte Carlo simulation technique. We validated that the developed portable apparatus has the same measurement capabilities as the conventional system[1]. We concluded that the developed portable apparatus is sufficiently able to capture the change caused by …