All Hands On Deck: Choosing Virtual End Effector Representations To Improve Near Field Object Manipulation Interactions In Extended Reality, Roshan Venkatakrishnan

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Extended reality, or "XR", is the adopted umbrella term that is heavily gaining traction to collectively describe Virtual reality (VR), Augmented reality (AR), and Mixed reality (MR) technologies. Together, these technologies extend the reality that we experience either by creating a fully immersive experience like in VR or by blending in the virtual and "real" worlds like in AR and MR.

The sustained success of XR in the workplace largely hinges on its ability to facilitate efficient user interactions. Similar to interacting with objects in the real world, users in XR typically interact with virtual integrants like objects, menus, windows, …

Integrated Energy-Aware Motion Planning And Charge Scheduling Of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, Hayleyesus Alemayehu

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The growing demand for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) is driven by their operational convenience, cost-effectiveness, availability, and adaptability to various scenarios. In energy-constrained environments, optimizing energy consumption and ensuring a continuous power supply for UAVs is crucial for mission success. The objective of this thesis is to address this issue by integrating energy-aware motion planning and charge scheduling for UAVs by utilizing a charger hosted on an unmanned ground vehicle (UGV), whose rendezvous locations and routes are jointly computed to minimize overall energy consumption.

This thesis proposes a hierarchical trajectory and control framework comprising local and global planners for each …

Digital Twins And Artificial Intelligence For Applications In Electric Power Distribution Systems, Deborah George

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As modern electric power distribution systems (MEPDS) continue to grow in complexity, largely due to the ever-increasing penetration of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs), particularly solar photovoltaics (PVs) at the distribution level, there is a need to facilitate advanced operational and management tasks in the system driven by this complexity, especially in systems with high renewable penetration dependent on complex weather phenomena.

Digital twins (DTs), or virtual replicas of the system and its assets, enhanced with AI paradigms can add enormous value to tasks performed by regulators, distribution system operators and energy market analysts, thereby providing cognition to the system. DTs …

Simulating The Eccentricity Evolution Of Accreting Equal-Mass Binaries: Numerical Sensitivity To The Computational Domain Size And Grid Resolution, Zhongtian Hu

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With high resolution hydrodynamics simulations, we show that the optimal values of domain radius and grid resolution for the software Sailfish when simulating time-based eccentricity evolution of equal mass, non-circular accreting binaries in a circumbinary disk to be $r_{\rm out} \leq 15a$ and $\delta x / a \le 0.01 $. These values provide a useful guideline for optimizing the performance of simulation runs while maintaining scientific accuracy. Each artificial parameter is probed with 15 runs of 2000 orbits each.

Healthcare Built Environment And The Covid-19 Pandemic, A Mixed-Method Study, Mohammad Saleh Nikooopayan Tak

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The outbreak of COVID-19 presented an unparalleled risk to public health, leading to urgent scientific efforts in understanding transmission mechanisms and mitigating risks, especially in healthcare settings. This mixed-methods study examines knowledge advancement regarding indoor air quality in healthcare facilities during the pandemic. A systematic literature review of 163 post-COVID studies identifies key research thrusts and 31 recommendations related to building ventilation, air filtration, surface disinfection, and monitoring. Comparison with over 200 pre-pandemic publications reveals both reliance on established infection control principles and unique contributions, such as detecting viral RNA in air and surface samples indicating potential airborne and fomite …

The Effects Of Primary And Secondary Task Workloads On Cybersickness In Immersive Virtual Active Exploration Experiences, Rohith Venkatakrishnan

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Virtual reality (VR) technology promises to transform humanity. The technology enables users to explore and interact with computer-generated environments that can be simulated to approximate or deviate from reality. This creates an endless number of ways to propitiously apply the technology in our lives. It follows that large technological conglomerates are pushing for the widespread adoption of VR, financing the creation of the Metaverse - a hypothetical representation of the next iteration of the internet.

Even with VR technology's continuous growth, its widespread adoption remains long overdue. This can largely be attributed to an affliction called cybersickness, an analog to …

The Application Of Model Predictive Control On Paralleled Converters For Zero Sequence Current Suppression And Active Thermal Management, Justin Dobey

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In the field of power electronics, the control of rectifiers is a crucial area of study. Rectifiers are used to convert AC power into DC power, and are commonly used in a wide range of applications, including renewable energy systems, industrial automation, and consumer electronics. However, in medium and high-power systems when multiple rectifiers are connected in parallel to a DC bus, stability issues can arise, including voltage fluctuations, zero sequence circulating current, and thermal imbalance.

Achieving stable DC bus voltage is essential for maintaining the proper functioning of electronic devices, while suppressing zero sequence current is necessary for protecting …

Evaluating The Feasibility Of Using Strain Measured During Sinusoidal Rate Pumping Tests To Characterize An Aquifer, Riley Blais

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Pumping tests with sinusoidal variation in pumping rate have been proposed as a method for improving aquifer characterization. These tests can interrogate a larger aquifer volume than slug tests and they can be more sensitive to small variations in drawdown. Current methods of using sinusoidal variations of rate are based on measuring pressure signals from the reservoir or aquifer, which requires access to monitoring wells. An alternative approach has been developed that measures the strain in the vadose zone instead of pressure in the reservoir. An instrument has been developed at Clemson University that can measure small strains using optical …

Virtual Prototyping Of Pebb Based Power Electronics System For Ground Vehicles, Yi Li

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Power electronics are heavily involved in power and energy systems in plenty of applications nowadays. The increase of demand brings more challenges into simulations for development. Considering the complexity of the systems and high frequency operational conditions, this paper presents comprehensive research on modeling, simulating, and validation on ground vehicle propulsion system applications.

To reduce the computational burden, the Power Electronics Building Blocks concept is utilized to simplify the structure of modeling under different conversion scenarios in ground vehicle systems. In addition, the Average and Switching versions models are included. To speedup the simulation, the engagement of advanced computing technique …

A Framework For Statistical Modeling Of Wind Speed And Wind Direction, Eva Murphy

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Atmospheric near surface wind speed and wind direction play an important role in many applications, ranging from air quality modeling, building design, wind turbine placement to climate change research. It is therefore crucial to accurately estimate the joint probability distribution of wind speed and direction. This dissertation aims to provide a modeling framework for studying the variation of wind speed and wind direction. To this end, three projects are conducted to address some of the key issues for modeling wind vectors.\\

First, a conditional decomposition approach is developed to model the joint distribution of wind speed and direction. Specifically, the …

Study Of Highly Charged Ion Charge Exchange With Applications To X-Ray Astrophysics, Richard Mattish

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Highly charged ions (HCIs) exist in many hot astrophysical environments where they play an important role in plasma dynamics. Charge exchange involving highly charged ions has been shown to be responsible for many observed X-ray emissions from a variety of astrophysical sources. Proper modeling of these environments requires an understanding of this process, including the electronic structure of each ion species as well as their charge exchange cross sections. This dissertation investigates charge exchange processes with highly charged ions which are present in astrophysical environments via a laboratory-based study.

The Clemson University electron beam ion trap (CUEBIT) laboratory was utilized …

Intent Versus Reality: Examining Implementation Of The Advisory Period At The Middle School Level, Jordan A. Hudson

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The advisory period is a key component of a successful middle level experience for young adolescents. Advisory is designed to be a time when students build relationships with peers as well as one trusted adult, referred to as an advocate. During the advisory period, the academic and social-emotional needs of students are addressed. In order to address the vast and varying needs of a young adolescent, school leaders provide direction for specific structures to be put in place; however, there is a lack of teacher buy-in and student engagement.

This study utilized improvement science through the implementation of one Plan, …

Asymptotic Cones Of Quadratically Defined Sets And Their Applications To Qcqps, Alexander Joyce

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Quadratically constrained quadratic programs (QCQPs) are a set of optimization problems defined by a quadratic objective function and quadratic constraints. QCQPs cover a diverse set of problems, but the nonconvexity and unboundedness of quadratic constraints lead to difficulties in globally solving a QCQP. This thesis covers properties of unbounded quadratic constraints via a description of the asymptotic cone of a set defined by a single quadratic constraint. A description of the asymptotic cone is provided, including properties such as retractiveness and horizon directions.

Using the characterization of the asymptotic cone, we generalize existing results for bounded quadratically defined regions with …

Integrating Sensor Development, Risk Assessment, And Community Engagement To Support Environmental Justice In The Rural Community Of El Tiple, Colombia, David Bahamon Pinzon

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In Colombia, ethnic communities have traditionally been responsible stewards of natural resources. They recognize the importance of these resources for their livelihood, as well as their ancestral and cultural heritage. El Tiple, a rural Afro-Colombian community, has been affected by the incursion of private corporations that promoted the expansion of sugarcane monocrops in their territory. Since the introduction of the monoculture industry, local freshwater sources have been depleted due to intensive water use for irrigation of the sugarcane crops. Additionally, the intensive usage of agrochemicals has been linked with loss of native flora, damages to family farms, and pollution of …

Examining Biological Algal Harvest For Use In Clemson University’S Algal Carbon Capture System Using Freshwater Mussel Elliptio Complanata, Jack Grimes

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Capture of atmospheric carbon by freshwater algae is being proposed in Clemson University’s outdoor algal carbon capture system, formerly described as the Partitioned Aquaculture System (Drapcho and Brune, 2000). Several algal species have been present in the system, depending on cultivation conditions. However, mechanical harvesting of the algae has proven difficult because of the cost of chemical flocculants, the energy cost of filtration due to small particle size of algae, and the relatively dilute algal cell concentrations in the system. Prior research on algal filtration by freshwater mussels has indicated its potential for use as a biological filter. This research …

Characterization Of Mechanically Recycled Polylactic Acid (Pla) Filament For 3d-Printing By Evaluating Mechanical, Thermal, And Chemical Properties And Process Performance, Mahsa Shabani Samghabady

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Polylactic acid (PLA) is a biopolymer made from renewable resources such as sugar and corn. PLA filament is a popular material used in Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) 3D-printing. While this material has many advantages, all the failed parts, support structures, rafts, nozzle tests, and the many prototype iterations during the 3D-printing process contribute to the plastic pollution and release of greenhouse gases. Although PLA is biodegradable, it can take years to degrade in landfills. Instead of throwing away PLA waste and buying new filaments, PLA can be recycled. Amongst the different recycling technologies, mechanical recycling is the most environmentally friendly. …

Resistive And Capacitive Behavior In Self-Healing Poly(Ionic Liquid) Copolymers, Jaylan Fraser-Mines

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This thesis elucidates the origin of molecular events during the damage-repair cycle in a new class of copolymers composed of ionic liquids (ILs) and acrylic-based monomers. In these studies, (1-[(2-methacryloyloxy)ethyl]-3- butylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethyl-sulfonyl)imide) (MEBIm-TFSI) was copolymerized with methyl methacrylate (MMA) and n-butyl acrylate (nBA) to form poly((1-[(2-methacryloyloxy)ethyl]-3- butylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethyl-sulfonyl)imide)-co-methyl methacrylate-co-n butyl acrylate) (p(MEBIm-TFSI/MMA/nBA)) and its mechanical and electrical properties were examined. Following the introduction to this work, Chapter 1 provides an overview of the continuously growing field of ILs and focuses on the structure-property relationships between ILs and their properties as single molecules and monomers in poly(ionic liquid)s (PILs). Chapter 2 …

The Effect Of Package Types On Fresh Peaches In The Direct-To-Consumer Distribution Environment, Brennan Lytle

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The direct-to-consumer (DTC) shipping mode presents new opportunity for fresh peach sales in North America where demand over the past four decades has steadily declined. The hazards in this distribution mode are severe, and fresh peaches are fragile emphasizing the need for proper protection. A full analysis that not only encompasses the effects of the direct-to-consumer distribution environment, but also incorporates analyses of the environmental and economic impact of the packages utilized for transit of peaches is necessary. In this study, we use the metrics of peach grade, firmness, soluble solids concentration, and percent softness before and after the distribution …

Composite And Polymer Formulation Employing Sulfur And Bio-Olefin Feedstocks, Claudia V. Lopez

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Environmental sustainability represents a challenge for society since industrial growth has a direct impact on natural resources and waste production. New technologies that effectively incorporate waste into renewable resources are critical to the development of a sustainable and circular economy. The manufacturing of structural materials like Portland cement (OPC) is responsible for >8% of the global anthropogenic emissions of carbon dioxide, with ~ 1 kg of CO₂ released to the atmosphere for every kilogram of OPC produced. For instance, the development of sustainable structural materials is a key factor to reduce the greenhouse emissions and to attenuate the climate …

Energy-Aware Coordination Of Automated Vehicles, Nathan Goulet

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Energy is an inherently limited resource for two reasons: the sources utilized to obtain energy are limited; and the methods used most often to convert energy also generate pollutants that the planet has a limited capacity to absorb or compensate for without adverse effects. Efficiently utilizing energy is, therefore, an important topic. As around 16% of the energy consumed in the United States is by light vehicles, a significant impact can be made if vehicle energy consumption is reduced. The advent of connected and automated vehicles offers unprecedented opportunities to optimize their behavior with respect to energy consumption through trajectory …

Belonging By Design: The Exploration Of Architecture Learning Environments And Their Role In The Sense Of Belonging And Field Identity Of Black Architecture Students, Stacy Scott

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This research offers a comprehensive analysis of the various dimensions of belonging, isolation, and the role of identity in architecture learning environments (ALEs) for Black architecture students. In a multi-site case study, the study analyzes the experiences of Black students in the habitus that forms these ALEs at three universities with fifteen participants. Through qualitative investigation and thematic analysis, this research evaluates the obstacles these students face when endeavoring to establish meaningful connections.

The results of this study provide a greater understanding of the impact that isolation, lack of representation have on students and the significance of support-seeking activities in …

Bridging The Gap Between High-Stakes Testing And 21st Century Skills, Patricia Gosnell

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The purpose of this research study is to determine how successful teachers allocate class time between the need for students to meet high-stakes testing and creating a constructivist learning environment that prepares students for real-world careers. In this study, I used an explanatory sequential mixed method design to explore how much class time teachers of English Language Arts (ELA) and math allow for constructivist activities and direct instruction. The findings showed that teachers of gifted and talented (GT) and advanced classes who use 70% or more of their class time for constructivist learning still successfully have 60% or more of …

Innovations In Geospatial Technologies For Water And Environmental Resource Protection, Madeleine Bolick

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New technologies and applications of technologies are critical to protecting environmental and water resources. Students need to be aware of these new technologies so they can be prepared to utilize them in their future careers. One such technology is using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) because it can be applied to a wide variety of fields such as engineering, construction, wildlife biology, agriculture, and many more. Chapter two discusses the creation of an online teaching module to introduce students to using UAVs in natural resource research and evaluates how well students respond to the education module. Overall, student familiarity with UAVs …

Exploring Transfer Students’ Perceptions Of Their Transition Experience In Calculus 2 At A Research Intensive Institution: A Schlossberg’S And Tinto’S Theory Approach, Steven Edalgo

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This study explored the lived experiences of eleven transfer students as they described their experiences in Calculus 2 at very high research land grant institutions (R1). This qualitative investigation focused on the psychological phenomenon of transition as the transfer students perceived, reflected, made sense, and understood their transition experience. Furthermore, this study explored transfer students’ understanding of how they perceive the attributes of their success or lack of success in Calculus 2.

Employing the use of Schlossberg’s Transition Framework along with Tinto’s Persistence/Departure Framework, the perceptions of the transition experience was analyzed through the lens of this conceptual framework. The …

High-Energy Storm Events And Their Impacts On Carbon Storage In Tidal Wetlands Of South Carolina, Gavin Gleasman

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Atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) concentrations have been increasing at an accelerating rate for the past two centuries, profoundly impacting global climate change. Atmospheric CO₂ concentrations are influenced by the global carbon cycle through physical and biogeochemical pathways. Tidal wetland environments play a vital role in the global carbon cycle by offsetting atmospheric CO₂ concentrations through their natural physiochemical processes of high autotrophic productivity, allochthonous organic matter deposition, anoxic soils, and continuous accretion which promotes carbon sequestration with long-term storage at the land-ocean margin. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and United States Global Change Research …

Vibration-Based Fault Diagnostics In Wind Turbine Gearboxes Using Machine Learning, Abdelrahman Amin

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A significantly increased production of wind energy offers a path to achieve the goals of green energy policies in the United States and other countries. However, failures in wind turbines and specifically their gearboxes are higher due to their operation in unpredictable wind conditions that result in downtime and losses. Early detection of faults in wind turbines will greatly increase their reliability and commercial feasibility. Recently, data-driven fault diagnosis techniques based on deep learning have gained significant attention due to their powerful feature learning capabilities. Nonetheless, diagnosing faults in wind turbines operating under varying conditions poses a major challenge. Signal …

Cosmic Diffuse Neutrino And Gamma-Ray Backgrounds In The Mev Regime, Ilukpitiye Samalka Anandagoda

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Cosmic Multi-Messenger backgrounds include relic diffuse components created in the early Universe and contributions from individual sources. In this dissertation, I present the work done in Anandagoda (2019); Anandagoda et al. (2020, 2023) where type Ia (SNe Ia) and core-collapse supernovae (CCSNe) contributions to the diffuse neutrino and gamma-ray backgrounds in the MeV regime are studied. These backgrounds are referred to as DSNB and DSGB respectively. Based on this work, the diffuse SN Ia background is ~10⁶ times lower (for electron antineutrinos) than the CCSN background making it negligible. The predicted DSNB electron antineutrino flux at earth in the …

Implementation Of An Early College Design In A Rural High School: Empowering Place-Conscious Leadership To Affect Change And Overcome Barriers To Innovation, Michael Timko

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This qualitative, improvement science, autoethnograpic case study aims to examine a unique perspective on rural research through the lens of place-conscious leadership. With an identified problem of inequity in advanced-level course offerings, which resulted in lost student opportunities and student attrition to neighboring schools, the leadership at Forest Lakes High School (FLHS) in rural South Carolina began the ambitious journey of reframing their narrative. As a scholarly researcher and administrator at FLHS, I had the unique opportunity to immerse myself fully in all aspects of this study. My dual positionality allowed me to study this process while sharing the lived …

Concentration Theorems For Orthonormal Sequences In A Reproducing Kernel Hilbert Space, Travis Alvarez

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Let H be a reproducing kernel Hilbert space with reproducing kernel elements {Kx} indexed by a measure space {X,mu}. If H can be embedded in L2(X,mu), then H can be viewed as a framed Hilbert space. We study concentration of orthonormal sequences in such reproducing kernel Hilbert spaces.

Defining different versions of concentration, we find quantitative upper bounds on the number of orthonormal functions that can be classified by such concentrations. Examples are shown to prove sharpness of the bounds. In the cases that we can add "concentrated" orthonormal vectors indefinitely, the growth rate of doing so is shown.

Multiscale Modeling And Gaussian Process Regression For Applications In Composite Materials, Joshua Arp

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An ongoing challenge in advanced materials design is the development of accurate multiscale models that consider uncertainty while establishing a link between knowledge or information about constituent materials to overall composite properties. Successful models can accurately predict composite properties, reducing the high financial and labor costs associated with experimental determination and accelerating material innovation. Whereas early pioneers in micromechanics developed simplistic theoretical models to map these relationships, modern advances in computer technology have enabled detailed simulators capable of accurately predicting complex and multiscale phenomena.

This work advances domain knowledge via two means: firstly, through the development of high-fidelity, physics-based finite …