Digital Commons Network^™

Developing Machine Learning Models And Graphene-Based Flexible Humidity And Temperature Sensors For Machine-Learning-Assisted Sensing, Seth Hajian

Dissertations

Flexible sensor technology has recently gained tremendous momentum in both academic research and industrial applications, transitioning from conceptual frameworks to practical implementations across diverse fields. This remarkable advancement can be attributed to several converging factors, including the maturation of nanomaterial science, the advancements of machine learning algorithms, and the critical demand for intelligent sensing solutions in healthcare, environmental monitoring, and industrial automation. The growing emphasis on personalized medicine and real-time health monitoring, accelerated by global health challenges, has further highlighted the necessity for accurate, cost-effective, and adaptable sensing platforms. This dissertation presents the fulfillment of three interconnected research projects focused …

A Parallel Fuzzy Logic Framework For Surgical Skill Evaluation Via Instance Segmentation And Deepsort Tracking, Mohsen M. Mohaidat

Dissertations

Manual evaluation of suturing skills during laparoscopic training is often subjective and labor-intensive, resulting in the lack of scalable and consistent feedback for trainees. This study proposes an automated framework that not only significantly reduces the need for in-person assessment by experts but also ensures scalability, thereby addressing the objectivity and cost-effectiveness limitations. While low-cost laparoscopic box trainers have become increasingly popular for residency training, performance assessment still depends on expert supervision. The proposed system aims to alleviate these limitations.

This study introduces a novel automated framework incorporating an optimized DeepSORT algorithm for classifying, localizing, and tracking surgical tools using …

Supporting Academic Parents: The Effects Of Dependent Care Policies On Research Productivity Trends, Drake Van Egdom, Matthew M. Piszczek, Christiane Spitzmueller, Peggy Lindner, Aaron Clauset

Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

On average, women faculty take on more childcare responsibilities, posing barriers to career success. Work-family policies represent one solution for advancing gender equity in academia as they support parents after childbirth with benefits for children, employees, and organizations. We contribute to understanding how the availability and use of dependent care policies (paid parental leave and childcare benefits) relate to long-term research productivity trends. Based on the work-home resources model, we theorize that policy availability provides contextual resources and policy use provides personal resources, leading to improvements in an individual's research productivity after they have a child. We also examine potential …

Range-Dependent Meso-Scale Geoacoustic Seabed Quantification, Tim Sonnemann, Jan Dettmer, Charles W. Holland, Stan E. Dosso

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

This study presents a probabilistic one-step two-dimensional (2D) inversion method of spherical-wave reflection coefficient data to estimate the range-dependent structure and geoacoustic parameters along a track. The approach of inverting such datasets independently as one-dimensional (1D) layered models and merging them to a 2D section is feasible but computationally expensive. This study demonstrates a more parsimonious 2D parametrization for active source data recorded on a towed hydrophone array. The comparison of data variance reduction for 1D- and 2D-based results clearly favors the 2D parametrization described here.

Whose Bot Is It Anyway? Determining Liability For Ai-Generated Content, John G. Browning

Northern Illinois University Law Review

As Chief Justice John Roberts noted in his State of the Judiciary address in late December 2023, artificial intelligence has not only had a seismic effect on society and the legal profession, but it is also presenting courts with novel questions to resolve. To date, most of the legal scholarship discussing generative AI has focused on areas like the ethical dimensions of its use, copyright infringement implications, AI governance issues, and the evidentiary questions raised by the use of this technology. However, a void in the scholarship exists with respect to the question of who should be liable for AI-generated …

The Emerging Danger Of Ai-Generated Child Sexual Abuse Material And An Unprepared Criminal Code, Jessica L. Terkovich

Northern Illinois University Law Review

The development and dissemination of child sexual abuse material (“CSAM”) using artificial intelligence (“AI”) is becoming easier and easier with technological advancements. This Article argues that traditional child pornography statutes should be extended to encompass fully AI-generated images. The Article outlines the history of the nation’s current federal CSAM laws and details the results of a nationwide survey of statutes which determined that few states have effective laws on the books regarding AI-generated CSAM. This Article also offers recommendations for constructing effective laws against AI-generated CSAM and concludes that harm comes from the very existence of CSAM, no matter how …

Understanding And Managing Parent–Child Well Interactions In The Bakken, Kyoung Min, Xue Yu, Nicholas A. Azzolina, Darren D. Schmidt, Bethany A. Kurz, James A. Sorensen

EERC Publications, Papers, & Presentations

This study proposes actionable strategies to mitigate parent–child interactions and negative production impacts. Key approaches, including wider well spacing, optimized stimulation designs, and refracturing, minimize interference while enhancing recovery efficiency.

Maximizing Edge Connectivity In Graph Partitioning Using Hotspots, Isam A. Alobaidi, Hiba G. Fareed, Jennifer L. Leopold, Andrea E. Smith

Computer Science Faculty Research & Creative Works

Graphs have long been used to model relationships between entities. For some applications, a single graph is sufficient; for other problems, a collection of graphs may be more appropriate to represent the underlying data. Many contemporary problem domains, for which graphs are an ideal data model, contain an enormous amount of data (e.g., social networks). Hence, researchers frequently employ parallelized or distributed processing. The graph data must first be partitioned and assigned to the multiple processors in a way that the workload is balanced and inter-processor communication is minimized. The latter problem may be complicated by the existence of edges …

Floating Wind Turbine Foundation, Clayton Lahodny, Dillon Nelson, Trevor Ortega, Andrew Cervantes

Mechanical Engineering

The 2024 Collegiate Wind Competition (CWC) has introduced a new element to their Turbine Design Competition: a floating foundation. In previous years, foundations have been fixed-bottom in a box of sand and water. The Cal Poly Wind Power Club, who competes in the CWC every year, requires a floating foundation to be designed, manufactured, and tested to assist in winning the competition. The foundation is a large, hollow, cylindrical barge with a hanging spar (heavy mass). The barge will provide a restoring moment using buoyancy, and the heavy spar provides additional restoring moment. Four cables will be attached at the …

Hydropower Collegiate Competition, Aiden D. Foster, Devon Bountry, Joanna Vo, Timothy Rinker, Amanda Rodriguez, Minh Nguyen, Eli Haushalter, Sophie Watkinson, Maiya Holton, Breanne Evans

Mechanical Engineering

The Cal Poly SLO HCC team presents a feasibility study and engineering design review package for retrofitting the non-powered Ritschard Dam in Colorado into a hydroelectric facility as part of the 2025 Hydropower Collegiate Competition. Through a rigorous and multi-staged assessment of plausible dam sites in the western US, the team has chosen the Ritschard Dam in Colorado to implement an electromechanical component designed to accommodate a large range of flowrates stemming from a large variance in upper reservoir capacity due to geographical and climate effects. The team evaluated non-powered dams based on technical feasibility, electric grid proximity, power generation …

Farmnav-Uav: A Field-Ready Autonomous Uav For Tracking Static And Dynamic Trajectories In Agricultural Applications, Veera Venkata Ram Murali Krishna Rao Muvva

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

This study presents the design and development of a custom-built uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) tailored for precision agriculture. Unlike commercial UAVs, which are often constrained by proprietary systems and limited hardware customization, the proposed platform emphasizes modularity, upgradeability, and cost-effectiveness. The UAV is equipped with a Cube Blue flight controller for reliable low-level actuation and a Raspberry Pi 4 companion computer that executes a Model Predictive Control (MPC) algorithm for high-level trajectory optimization and stability enhancement.

Most conventional UAV autopilot systems rely on non-optimal control strategies, such as proportional–integral–derivative (PID) controllers, which can be inadequate for dynamic or resource-constrained environments. …

Cruising Beyond Car Dealer Dominance, Piotr Tereszkiewicz

University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform

The automotive industry plays a pivotal role in both the American economy and American daily life. This means that the laws that govern the automotive industry and structure power dynamics between central players in the market also play a pivotal role in both the American economy and American daily life. One such area of law has room for improvement: laws governing the manufacturer-dealer relationship in car sales.

Although the law currently structures automotive industry power dynamics to the detriment of consumer welfare, it does not have to be this way. This Article proposes legal reforms aimed at improving consumer welfare …

Chains Of Knowledge: Slavery, Low-Wage Labor, And The Role Of Intellectual Property In Antebellum Georgia (1789 To 1865), Kris Kallies

Journal of the Patent and Trademark Resource Center Association

This article investigates Georgia’s engagement with intellectual property from 1789 to 1865, with an epilogue to 1920, arguing that the state’s economic reliance on unfree labor systems profoundly shaped its approach to technological innovation. Drawing from a newly constructed, state-specific patent database, the study reveals that Georgia’s low patenting rates—examining the areas of in mining and metallurgy, textiles, and the establishment of the Confederate Patent Office during the American Civil War—was not indicative of technological stagnation, but rather evidence of a region where innovation was informal, experiential, and embedded in labor hierarchies. The article advances the argument that the absence …

Treading Water: Striking A Delicate Balance In Wetland Conservation In The Wake Of Sackett V. Environmental Protection Agency, Ryan Donofrio

Hofstra Law Review

No abstract provided.

Play The Players For Winning Peace: Complexity Analytics With The Uk-Ireland Good Friday Agreement As A Case Study, Bilal M. Ayyub

New England Journal of Public Policy

This article presents an innovative framework for analyzing and resolving intractable conflicts through the lens of complexity analytics. By conceptualizing conflicts as complex adaptive systems with fractal properties, we introduce a multifaceted methodology that integrates game theory, network analysis, cognitive science, and artificial intelligence (AI) to comprehend and influence conflict dynamics across multiple scales. The approach emphasizes ‘playing the players’ rather than focusing solely on the immediate conflict situation, drawing insights from poker strategy and AI-driven decision-making processes. This strategy involves understanding the psychological profiles, risk attitudes, and decision-making patterns of key actors, allowing for more nuanced and effective interventions. …

Service-Learning For Teachers/Exegetes: A Postcolonial Avenue For Biblical Sustainability Education, Maricel S. Ibita

Theology Department Faculty Publications

While textual excavation mainstreams biblical scholarship, studies on biblical pedagogies for social justice have also proliferated. In Activism, Bible, and Research-based Teaching (2024), the contributors expound on their biblical research and activism in areas of disability studies, gender-sexuality, community grounding and university pedagogies, Judaeophobia, climate change, etc. Although the book mentioned sustainable development, there is no discussion yet of “education for sustainable development”. In this study, I will briefly present the debate on education for sustainability (EfS), especially in relation to faith-based organizations, including educational institutions. Next, I will delve into the participative, community-based methodology of service-learning and its limits, …

Structural Color Pigments For Waterborne Coatings, Kyle William Liston

Master's Theses

Structural colors offer unique alternatives to conventional pigments, utilizing their microstructures to produce vibrant colors. These pigments offer an alternative source for colorants without the need for less environmentally friendly conventional pigments. In keeping with the sustainability approach, the use of waterborne coatings was chosen over solvent-based coatings. Here we report the synthesis of brushite platelet, silica supraball, and inverse opal pigments. Brushite platelets were produced through a condensation reaction, while silica supraballs were synthesized via the Stöber process and assembly was attempted using an oil-in-water emulsion. Inverse opal was produced through the templating of silica on poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) …

Functionalization Of A Calcium-Based Squaric Acid Metal Organic Frameworks With Amine-Based Polymers For Enhancing Post Combustion Carbon Capture, Corinne D. Watson

Master's Theses

The primary driver of climate change is the release of carbon dioxide (CO₂) from fossil fuel combustion. Global climate change has resulted in sea level rise, adverse weather patterns, and countless other negative global effects. Several carbon-reduction frameworks emphasize the transition to clean energy sources; however, other strategies must be concurrently pursued to immediately and effectively reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide point source emissions. Metal organic frameworks (MOFs) are a promising new technology for post-combustion carbon dioxide capture. The materials are synthesized using organic linker molecules and metal ion joints. Notably, there are several challenges with various types of …

Tanzania Mbesese Initiative 2025, Genevieve Marie Tedder, Frances Street, Audrey Wojcik, Alex Trujillo, Tristen Mullin, Jessica Jane, Anna Marie Langer, Carissa Castro, Molly Linong Rojec, Haley Pilcher

Architectural Engineering

The Tanzania Mbesese Initiative is an ongoing project based in Same, Tanzania. The Mbesese Initiative for Sustainable Design (MISD) is working in collaboration with ARUP and Cal Poly to develop a polytechnic college for the community in Same. Our team of ten students aims to support the design and construction process of the project.

Outdoor Exercise Area Renovation, Hagan T. Jackson, Chet S. Crummett, Jesse E. Muth

Architectural Engineering

The Outdoor Exercise Area Renovation project revitalizes a well-used outdoor exercise area located near the baseball fields at Cal Poly. The existing exercise equipment, originally donated by Maino Construction, was weathered, but the area remained well-utilized and presented potential for revitalization. This project transforms the site into a functional and resilient space by replacing the pull-up and dip bar equipment, constructing a 300 square foot pavilion, and adding a concrete slab and integrated concrete benches. The new design enhances usability, providing a multifunctional area for the Cal Poly community to exercise, socialize, relax, and enjoy scenic views.

The renovated area …

Tettoia Iperbolica, Lydia Chou, Jack L. Walsh, William Jasper Mors, Simarjot S. Gandhoke, Ian F. Da Silva, Jamie L. Zimmerman

Architectural Engineering

Tettoia Iperbolica (Hyperbolic Canopy) is a multidisciplinary senior project created to revitalize an underutilized outdoor space next to the Architectural Engineering Building 21 at Cal Poly. The project responds to needs identified by faculty and staff, including limited gathering space, inadequate shading for the adjacent conference room, poor drainage, and a lack of ADA accessibility. Building on two previous senior project efforts, the 2025 team advanced the concept into a fully designed, structurally stamped, permitted redwood canopy supported by existing concrete columns and one new steel column.

The work included extensive site investigation to verify subsurface conditions, concrete strength testing, …

Untold Stories Bench Project, Elijah Labb

Architectural Engineering

No abstract provided.

Cementing Co2 Into C-S-H: A Step Toward Carbon Neutrality, Or A Step In The Wrong Direction?, John Reilly Benn, Tahne Larson

Architectural Engineering

As greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise, many in the construction industry are looking for sustainable solutions to reduce its carbon footprint. One of the biggest contributors to atmospheric CO2 comes from cement production. In 2023, researchers at MIT explored ways to enhance concrete’s natural ability to act as a carbon sink. Concrete does this unassisted through a chemical reaction called carbonation, by which atmospheric carbon bonds to key components in cement. The researchers at MIT proposed a process of early-stage forced carbonation, which can be induced by the addition of NaHCO3 into a standard concrete mix. Sodium bicarbonate, or …

Physical Construction Of 1/2 Scale Concrete Wall, Alicia Danielle Lee, Cali Jeanne Carson

Architectural Engineering

This senior project was the physical construction and material testing of the half-scale reinforced concrete wall specimens. This included all stages of the building process, from formwork and reinforcement to concrete placement and laboratory testing.

The Xenaform, Cassadie J. Golding

Architectural Engineering

The XenaForm explores how complex, expressive structures can emerge from simple, low-tech construction methods using principles of parametric design and structural geometry. By combining folded plate techniques with modular tetrahedral components, the project bridges high-tech digital modeling and hands-on physical fabrication. The result is a lightweight, buildable system that reclaims the engineer’s role as a form-finder.

Practical Integration Of Reality Capture In Architecture, Engineering, Construction, And Operations (Aeco) Workflows: Cost And Application Considerations, Dylan T. Ramsey

Architectural Engineering

This paper explores the practical integration of Reality Capture (RC) technologies, specifically LiDAR and photogrammetry, within Architecture, Engineering, Construction, and Operations (AECO) workflows. As interest in RC grows, costs decrease, and industry applications expand, this paper aims to clarify the current landscape of research, industry practices, hardware, and software. It provides managers, RC technology enthusiasts, and AECO professionals considering its implementation with essential insights into cost considerations, expectations, and limitations. The paper details common research and industry applications, including as-built documentation, surface analysis, and deflection monitoring, and cross-references cost data and project requirements to provide informed recommendations and considerations for …

C.H.I.I.P., Continuous Health Information For Infrastructure Protection, Lariel Sasha Henley

Architectural Engineering

This paper presents the development and validation of CHIIP (Continuous Health Information for Infrastructure Protection), a wireless structural health monitoring (SHM) device designed to provide accessible, real-time data on structural performance of building structures following a seismic event. The system integrates inclinometers, accelerometers, linear potentiometers, and strain gauges with ESP32 microcontrollers to create a compact and robust data collection device that can transmit synchronized sensor data via Wi-Fi to a remote server. A web-based interface enables users to access and download live data for rapid structural evaluation. The device was tested in three phases: a small-scale wired baseline test, a …

Concrete Mix Designs With Shrinkage Reducing Admixture, Beau Usry, Julio Munoz Tanaka

Architectural Engineering

The goal of this project was to explore how shrinkage-reducing admixtures (SRAs) affect the strength and overall performance of concrete. While SRAs are typically used to help reduce shrinkage and cracking, it is less common to see how they might affect compressive strength directly. To test this, three different concrete mixes were made: a control mix with no admixture, one mix with 1% SRA, and another with 3% SRA. The idea was to compare how each mix performed under the same testing conditions.

Architectural Engineering Institute: International Student Design Competition 2025, Alexandra Marie Kersting, Alec Thomas Gibbs, Haley Francesca Sousa, Kline Genevieve Nickel

Architectural Engineering

The AEI International Student Design Competition is an annual competition held by the Architectural Engineering Institute that aims to replicate an integrated building design process. The 2025 Cal Poly team consisted of 4 Architectural Engineering students, each competing in the Structural and Integration disciplines. The team was provided a set of architectural drawings and a 3D architectural Revit model of Carson Headquarters in Omaha, Nebraska. The team was tasked with the creation of a complete structural design as well as a discussion of integration of other building design disciplines.

Modal Analysis Of Cal Poly’S Kennedy Library Using Computational Modeling, Joseph Mangan

Architectural Engineering

This project determines the modal parameters of the Robert E. Kennedy Library at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo using ETABS. Similar analyses on the building have been performed in the past by other Architectural Engineering students. The recent renovation of the library which included a seismic retrofit provides the opportunity to understand how the modal response of concrete structures can be influenced by retrofit practices. This project provides insight into how computational modeling can be used to accurately represent real conditions, and how isolated changes from the retrofit affect the structure’s modal response.