Engineering Commons^™

Development And Application Of An F/M Based Anaerobic Digestion Model And The Rt-Ribosyn Molecular Biology Method, Matthew Raymond Cutter

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

A simple anaerobic digestion model has been developed for a continuously-stirred tank reactor (CSTR), which links the specific biogas production rate to the food/microorganism ratio (F/M). The model treats the various microbial populations involved in the sequential biological processes involved in anaerobic digestion as a composite and links the entire biomass specific growth rate directly to the specific biogas production rate. The model was calibrated by determining the specific gas production rate for a range of F/M values using a municipal wastewater seed sludge. The model predictions for steady-state biogas production rates were compared to observed biogas production and volatile …

Investigation And Synthesis Of Novel Graphene-Based Nanocomposites For Hydrogen Storage, Anthony Joseph D'Angelo

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

It is of great interest to develop and utilize a high surface area material with optimized hydrogen sorption properties. The need for a renewable energy source to replace automobile gasoline has become more critical in the past decade. Hydrogen is a viable fuel source for automobile usage; however, the question of how hydrogen will be safely and efficiently stored still remains. Critical factors for optimum hydrogen storage include ambient conditions and low activation temperature for adsorption and desorption phenomena. In order for optimum hydrogen adsorption to be achieved, the properties of (1) high surface area, (2) optimum hydrogen adsorption energy, …

Multidimensional Spectroscopy Of Semiconductor Quantum Dots, Jason Michael Bylsma

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The coherent properties of semiconductor nanostructures are inherently difficult to measure and one-dimensional spectroscopies are often unable to separate inhomogeneous and homogeneous linewidths. We have refined and improved a method of performing multidimensional Fourier transform spectroscopy based on four-wave

mixing (FWM) experiments in the box geometry. We have modified our system with broadband beamsplitters in all interferometer arms, high-resolution translation stages and the ability to work in reflection geometry. By improving the phase-stability of our setup and scanning pulse delays with sub-optical cycle precision, we are able to

reproduce 2DFT spectra of GaAs multiple quantum wells. With the FWM signal …

Rainwater Harvesting Storage Methods And Self Supply In Uganda, Jonathan Peter Blanchard

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Self supply is an emerging approach to water supply which focuses on fostering household investment in incremental improvements to their water sources. When successful, it can lower costs and increase sustainability by offering users a larger share

of ownership in their own supply, and harnessing the already existing strengths of a community rather than trying to impose an external perspective. In addition to well upgrading and source protection, one of the key self supply areas is rainwater harvesting.

Uganda has a diverse selection of rainwater storage options, but many of them are scattered and disparate.

The objective of this study …

Novel Encapsulation Of Oxidizer Applied To Galvanic Cells: Aluminum / H2o2 Galvanic Cell As A Case Study, Marlyn Colon

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The work presented in this thesis aims to address the obstacles that side reactions create in aluminum / H2O2 galvanic cells by proposing to control the cathodic reactant, H2O2, via encapsulation. Encapsulation of the cathodic reactant is achieved utilizing a non-ionic surfactant vesicle (i.e. niosome). Once encapsulated, a second control element over the cathodic reactant is provided. The use of a polymer will be implemented to achieve stability and render further control over the encapsulated H2O2 solution. Implementation of the proposed novel cathodic control system in aluminum / H2O2 galvanic cells aims to minimize aluminum consumption and increase cell efficiency. …

Willingness-To-Pay For Maintenance And Improvements To Existing Sanitation Infrastructure: Assessing Community-Led Total Sanitation In Mopti, Mali, Justin Vern Meeks

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

In recent years, much focus has been put on the sustainability of water and sanitation development projects. Experts in this field have found that many of the projects of the past have failed to achieve sustainability because of a lack of demand for water and sanitation interventions at a grassroots level. For years projects looked to create this demand through various subsidy schemes, with the "software" of behavior change and education taking a backseat to the "hardware" of infrastructure provision. Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) is a fairly new way of looking at the issues of increasing basic sanitation coverage, promoting …

Evaluation Of Transfer Technologies To Preserve Shoulder Function In Sci, Karen Michelle Mann

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated a series of independent unassisted and device-assisted transfers from a wheelchair to vehicle mock-up and vice versa while simultaneously capturing kinematic, kinetic and electromyographic (EMG) data of impaired volunteers. The study provides a venue for observation and evaluation of upper extremity (UE) joint stresses, muscular force and functional demands associated with transfers in persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) to ultimately prevent UE injury, minimize excessive stress, preserve functionality and limit pain. If people with SCI lose function of their UEs, due to pain and/or degeneration, they must then rely on others for everyday tasks.

Five paraplegic …

Development Of An Integrated Process Model For Algae Growth In A Photobioreactor, Mehregan Jalalizadeh

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

While understanding the kinetics of algae growth plays an important role in improving algae cultivation technology, none of the existing kinetic models are able to describe algae growth when more than three growth limiting factors are involved. A model was developed in this study to describe algae growth in a photobioreactor. Two expressions were proposed based on the Monod model to relate the specific growth rate of algae to the concentration of nitrogen, phosphorus, inorganic carbon and light intensity in the culture media. Algal biomass concentration as a function of time was calculated by solving mass and energy balances around …

Speaker Recognition Using Shifted Mfcc, Rishiraj Mukherjee

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Speaker Recognition is the art of recognizing a speaker from a given database using speech as the only input. In this thesis we will be discussing a novel approach to detect speakers. Here we will introduce the concept of shifted MFCC to add improvement over the performance from previous work which has shown quite a decent amount of accuracy of about 95% at best. We will be talking about adding different parameters which also contributed in improving the efficiency of speaker recognition. Also we will be testing our algorithm on Text dependent speech data and Text Independent speech data. Our …

Respiratory Monitoring System Based On The Thoracic Expansion Measurement, Fabiola Araujo Cespedes

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this reasearch was to develop a respiratory monitoring system using a reflective object sensor based belt to measure the thoracic expansion of a neonatal for future application at the medical center of the Universidad Evangelica Boliviana (UEB). This medical center, being founded by the UEB University, is dedicated to help and serve the poor and currently has no respiratory monitoring system.

The methodology used was first to build and test the respiratory sensor belt and test the relationship between the blet expansion and the voltage generated. The, to incorporate the respiratory sensor belt in a system that …

Overcoming Limitations Of Serial Audio Search, Isabela Cordeiro Ribeiro Moura Hidalgo

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The typical approach for finding audio recordings, such as music and sound effects, in a database is to enter some textual information into a search field. The results appear summarized in a list of textual descriptions of the audio files along with a function for playing back the recordings. Exploring such a list sequentially is a time-consuming and tedious way to search for sounds. This research evaluates whether searching for audio information can become more effective with a user interface capable of presenting multiple audio streams simultaneously.

A prototype audio player was developed with a user interface suitable for both …

Technical And Economic Assessment Of Adobe As The Primary Building Material On The Water Yield Of A Single Basin Solar Still, Nathan Daniel Manser

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

It is estimated that only one percent of global freshwater is available to humans, with nearly three billion people living in water scarce conditions. Populations living in impoverished settings are particularly vulnerable to water related illnesses, with approximately 2.2 million people dying each year from to waterborne illnesses. This research uses modeling and field studies to assess the quantity, quality, and economics of distillate produced for drinking water from a brackish water source using two single-sloped, single-basin distillation reactors. The reactors were constructed from adobe and concrete in an arid rural community in San Luis Potosí, Mexico and tested from …

Design Methodologies For Reversible Logic Based Barrel Shifters, Saurabh Kotiyal

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The reversible logic has the promising applications in emerging computing paradigm

such as quantum computing, quantum dot cellular automata, optical computing, etc. In

reversible logic gates there is a unique one-to-one mapping between the inputs and outputs.

To generate an useful gate function the reversible gates require some constant ancillary

inputs called ancilla inputs. Also to maintain the reversibility of the circuits some additional

unused outputs are required that are referred as the garbage outputs. The number of

ancilla inputs, number of garbage outputs and quantum cost plays an important role in

the evaluation of reversible circuits. Thus minimizing these …

A Novel Ultrasonic Method To Quantify Bolt Tension, Jairo Andres Martinez Garcia

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The threaded fasteners are one of the most versatile methods for assembly of structural components. For example, in bridges large bolts are used to fix base columns and small bolts are used to support access ladders. Naturally not all bolts are critical for the operation of the structure. Fasteners loaded with small forces and present in large quantities do not receive the same treatment as the critical bolts. Typical maintenance operations such tension measurements, internal stress checking or monitoring of crack development are not practical due to cost and time constrains. Although failure of a single non-critical fastener is not …

Metal Oxide Graphene Nanocomposites For Organic And Heavy Metal Remediation, Tanvir E. Alam

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This thesis consists of two research problems in the water decontamination area. In the first work, the main focus is to understand the structure and photocatalytic activity of titanium dioxide with graphene (G-TiO2) which is synthesized by using sol-gel method. The photocatalytic activity of TiO2 is limited by the short electron hole pair recombination time. Graphene, with high specific surface area and unique electronic properties, can be used as a good support for TiO2 to enhance the photocatalytic activity. The obtained G-TiO2 photocatalysts has been characterized by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Raman Spectroscopy, Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), FTIR Spectroscopy and Ultraviolet …

Effect Of Platinum Particle Size On The Sulfur Deactivation Of Hydrogenation, Lyndsey Michelle Baldyga

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

A large concern of the fossil fuel and renewable energy industries is the sulfur poisoning of catalysts. In the case of noble metals, such as platinum, it is seen that there is a size trend associated with the level of activity in the presence of sulfur. Smaller nanoparticles could be more tolerant due to sulfur surface vacancies. On the other hand, larger particles could have less deactivation because the sulfur is more attracted to the smaller particles and the sulfur molecules bind stronger to these smaller particles.

The size effect of sulfur deactivation was investigated by testing four sizes of …

The Creation Of A Robotics Based Human Upper Body Model For Predictive Simulation Of Prostheses Performance, Derek James Lura

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This work focuses on the use of 3D motion capture data to create and optimize a robotic human body model (RHBM) to predict the inverse kinematics of the upper body. The RHBM is a 25 degrees of freedom (DoFs) upper body model with subject specific kinematic parameters. The model was developed to predict the inverse kinematics of the upper body in the simulation of a virtual person, including persons with functional limitations such as a transradial or transhumeral amputation. Motion data were collected from 14 subjects: 10 non-amputees control subjects, 1 person with a transradial amputation, and 3 persons with …

Water Quality Monitoring In A Pilot Marine Integrated Aquaculture System, Alex W. Kruglick

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Land based aquaculture systems are growing in popularity, and there is a drive to improve the efficiency of their energy and water systems for both economic and environmental benefit. Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS) generally refer to systems that recycle their wastewater streams to be more or less a zero discharge facility. A more sustainable approach is emerging in the form of Integrated Aquaculture Systems (IAS) where maximum utility is realized from the various components so that fresh water use is reduced, water quality is improved, energy use is reduced, and new markets are created or fulfilled. Under a grant from …

The Art And Beauty Of Flight, Edmond Ing Huang Tan

The Hilltop Review

This picture nicely represents the art and gracefulness of flight with the beauty of sunset in a tranquil setting. In the picture is a powered paragliding, also known as paramotoring in the plains of Nebraska. The ability to fly both low and slow safely, the 'open' feel, the minimal equipment and maintenance costs, the portability, minimally regulated and requires no license are claimed to be this type of flying's greatest merits. Paramotors can be flown during any season of the year anywhere but not in high wind conditions which typically means at low Sun azimuths as shown in the picture …

Wmu Sunseeker Solarcar, Edmond Ing Huang Tan

The Hilltop Review

This picture was taken, at the racetrack the evening before the start of the North American Solar Challenge 2008 race in Plano, Texas. In this picture is the Sunseeker, Western Michigan University’s solar powered car that will race in the 2 week long, 2400miles long race from Plano, Texas to Calgary, Canada. Sunseeker was the only car in that race that feature a 2 electric motor drive system than the standard one electric motor drive system. Western Michigan University Sunseeker team brought back the sportsmanship award that year.

A Multifaceted Analysis Of Early Stage Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Data, Madhusmita Behera

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Some early stage NSCLC patients have a better survival prospects than others. In any event, the long-term prognosis for NSCLC patients is poor. Various measures were investigated to gain a better understanding of those patient characteristics that confer better survival or predict disease recurrence. A dataset comprised of stage 1 NSCLC patients (n=162) that underwent resection was investigated. Clinical variables (CVs) and tissue microarray (TMA) images with DNA repair protein and standard H&E expressions were investigated. Patients were dichotomized into two groups by survival characteristics and logistic regression (LR) modeling was used to predict favorable survival outcome. Various patient strata …

Synthesis And Characterization Of Nanocomposites For Electrochemical Capacitors, Farah Alvi

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Presently there are deep concerns over the environmental consequences and the consumption of non-renewable energy sources, with the accelerated greenhouse effect, triggered enormous interest in the use of renewable energy sources e.g., solar, hydropower, wind and geothermal. However the intermittent nature of harvesting renewable energy sources has recently gained considerable attention in the alternative reliable, cost effective, and environmentally friendly energy storage devices. The supercapacitor and lithium ion batteries are considered more efficient electrical energy storage devices than conventional energy storage systems.

Both devices have many useful and important applications; they could be an excellent source for high power and …

Building A Wright Flyer - By Committee, Fred E.C. Culick

ERAU Prescott Aviation History Program

Hear the story of the earliest aircraft from 1895 to 1908 and how the Wright Brothers successfully built the first airplane but couldn’t build the second one!

Zeppelins Over London, Ron Anderson

ERAU Prescott Aviation History Program

Hear the story of the first strategic bombing campaign in history. The target was the civilian populated areas of London in World War I. Come on board a giant Zeppelin of the Imperial German Navy Air Service and learn what these raids did, or did not accomplish, from Ron Anderson, local zeppelin historian.

Su People, Yuhan Xu, Paula Meseroll, Kathleen Haley, Jay Cox, Jim Reilly, Carol L. Boll

Syracuse University Magazine

No abstract provided.

Nebraska Summary: S861 New Holland T6 175, Nebraska Tractor Test Lab

Nebraska Tractor Tests

ABOUT THE TEST REPORT AND USE OF THE DATA The test data contained in this report are a tabulation of the results of a series of tests. Due to the restricted format of these pages, only a limited amount of data and not all of the tractor specifications are included. The full OECD report contains usually about 30 pages of data and specifications. The test data were obtained for each tractor under similar conditions and therefore, provide a means of comparison of performance based on a limited set of reported data. EXPLANATION OF THE TEST PROCEDURES Purpose The purpose of …

Santa Clara Magazine, Volume 53 Number 3, Winter 2012, Santa Clara University

Santa Clara Magazine

18 - MY FIGHT, MY FAITH By Steven Boyd Saum. As head of the CIA, Leon Panetta '60, J.D. '63 restored confidence in the agency and oversaw the mission to find Osama bin Laden. Now, as secretary of defense in an age of budget austerity, he has to make sure the Pentagon doesn't break the bank-and that the nation doesn't break faith with the men and women who serve.

24 - GENERAL JOE By Sam Scott '96. When Joseph Peterson '72 signed up for ROTC as an undergrad, he planned to complete his military service and then move on. Nearly …

Santa Clara Magazine, Volume 54 Number 1, Summer 2012, Santa Clara University

Santa Clara Magazine

14 - BELLA VITA By Ron Hansen M.a. '95. After 66 years, Professor Victor Vari is retiring. He's imparted to generations of Santa Clara students an understanding of Italian language and culture-and how to live a beautiful life.

18 - THE SPORTING LIFE By Ann Killion. From when women first arrived on the Mission Campus 50 years ago and athletics was a dirty word-to internationally known programs and penalty shots heard 'round the world.

20 - RESPECT THE GAME By Britt Yap. They've been national champs and the subject of dreams-may-cometrue movies. But in the beginning, they were women who …

Santa Clara Magazine, Volume 54 Number 2, Fall 2012, Santa Clara University

Santa Clara Magazine

18 - WE, ROBOTS By John Deever. Adventures with the Robotics Systems Laboratory by land, sea, and sky. And in orbit.

20 - SARAH KATE WILSON VS. GODZILLA By Jeff Gire. Tackling big problems- like attracting more women to engineering and transferring mountains of data through the air.

22 - DELUGE AND DROUGHT By Erica Klarreich. Lessons in how to wedge more data into less space-and build a smarter energy grid.

24 - BUILDING BIOMEDICAL TESTS By Melissae Fellet. Where engineering meets biology, the work ranges from diagnosing voice disorders to tracking toxicity in the brain.

26 - THE LONG …

Santa Clara Magazine, Volume 53 Number 4, Spring 2012, Santa Clara University

Santa Clara Magazine

20 - WHAT WILL YOU BE? By David Mckay Wilson. San Francisco's Immaculate Conception Academy has found a work-study program that gives low-income students what they need. Starting with a bigger view of the world.

22 - BUCKY BRONCO CONFIDENTIAL By Jeff Gire And Sam Scott '96. Who wears the costume today may be classified information. But here are a few secrets revealed-including how Bucky came to be.

26 - TALKIN' DUST BOWL BLUES By David Mckay Wilson. The ghost of Woody Guthrie stalks the stage-with Rob Tepper '00 playing the role. This year marks the centennial of the iconic …