Engineering Commons^™

A Comparison Of Techniques Of Boron Removal From Water And Wastewater, Abdolmajid Fadaei

Journal of Environmental Science and Sustainable Development

Boron is a vital trace element required by plants, humans, and animals. It is also a significant element used in several industries. Along with the widespread usage of boron, boron waste progressively contaminates the potable water sources as well as causing a chain of environmental and health challenges to occur. This study reviews the techniques used for boron removal from aqueous solutions, including ion exchange, resin adsorption, reverse osmosis (RO), electrocoagulation, microfiltration, chemical coagulation, solvent extraction, electro dialytic, and hybrid processes. A review search was carried out from the databases Scopus, PubMed, Web of Knowledge, and Embase using the following …

A Chemical Study Of Archaeometallurgical Ceramics From Southwestern Tanzania, Edwinus Lyaya

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

Archaeometallurgical ceramics, including furnaces, tuyères, and potteries, were required for successful pre-industrial iron smelting and refining. However, there are limited chemical studies on archaeometallurgical ceramics in Tanzania. This paper examined the nature of clay source in terms of refractoriness, determined whether there were multiple clay sources, and verified the refractoriness of the archaeometallurgical ceramics. An x-ray fluorescence (XRF) analytical technique and experimental re-firing of the archaeometallurgical ceramics were employed. The chemical data clustered in the mullite region on the Al2O3-SiO2-FeO ternary system indicate that iron smelters and refiners chose refractory clay sources for making archaeometallurgical ceramics. Small range and standard …

Determination Of Effectiveness Of Combined Biological And Physicochemical Treatment Of Vinasse, Mahir Mohammed Said

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

Combined biological and Physicochemical treatment method was used to treat vinasse using microorganisms (Aspergillus niger (fungi) and Bacillus subtilis (bacteria)), coagulants (aluminium sulphate (Al2(SO4)3) and iron III chlorides (FeCl3)) and followed by filtration. Three factors; coagulant type, type of microorganism and coagulant concentration was analysed using full factorial design (2n) with replication, on their percentage removal of Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), Total Suspended Solids (TSS) and turbidity. Pareto chart and regression analysis with a 95% confidence interval (5% significant level) were used to analyse the results using MINITAB 22 (current version). Initially, the vinasse had (COD), …

Damage Stability Study Of A 500 Dw Ro-Ro Ferry Vessel, Zulfaidah Ariany, Budhi Santoso, Sarwoko Sarwoko, Nauval Abdurrahman Prasetyo

Makara Journal of Technology

The development of the crossing transportation industry is currently increasing in the island areas. The use of Ro-Ro type ferry boats is extremely efficient in moving people, goods, and vehicles. The current research focuses on the damage stability of the 500 DWT Ro-Ro ferry, which aims to meet the needs of the Ro-Ro ferry in the archipelago area. The previously existing initial design of a barge hull with a main size Lpp = 40.15 m, B = 12 m, H = 3.2 m, and T = 2.15 m was used to analyze the damage stability condition further. First, the drawings …

Utilization Of Biopertalite For Fuel Efficiency And Reduction In Co And Co2 Gas Emissions In Four-Wheel Motor Vehicles, Ridwan Iskandar, Hadiyanto Hadiyanto, Suherman Suherman, Zainul Akmar Zakaria

Makara Journal of Technology

Emissions of carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO2) gases are the main problem that must be rectified as they are harmful and contribute to global warming through the greenhouse gas effect. In Indonesia, motor vehicles, especially four wheelers, are one of the biggest contributors with up to 71 million tons of CO2 emissions and energy consumption of 179 million barrel of oil equivalent. Bioethanol has octane rating >100, which is higher than that of gasoline; and emission contribution of only 0.02 kg/L, which is lower than that from gasoline (2.23 kg/L). Accordingly, a mixture of gasoline and bioethanol is …

Comparative Analysis Of Injection Of Pyrolysis Oil From Plastics And Gasoline Into The Engine Cylinder And Atomization By A Direct High-Pressure Injector, Magdalena Szwaja, Jeffrey Naber, David Shonnard, Daniel G. Kulas, Ali Zolghadr, Stanislaw Szwaja

Michigan Tech Publications, Part 1

The article discusses the results of experimental studies on the course of pyrolysis oil injection through the high-pressure injector of a direct-injection engine. The pyrolysis oil used for the tests was derived from waste plastics (mainly high-density polyethylene—HDPE). This oil was then distilled. The article also describes the production technology of this pyrolysis oil on a laboratory scale. It presents the results of the chemical composition of the raw pyrolysis oil and the oil after the distillation process using GC-MS analysis. Fuel injection tests were carried out for the distilled pyrolysis oil and a 91 RON gasoline in order to …

Temporal Changes In Extracellular Vesicle Hemostatic Protein Composition Predict Favourable Left Ventricular Remodeling After Acute Myocardial Infarction, Xiong Chang Lim, Chenyuan Huang, Siti Maryam J.M. Yatim, Suet Yen Chong, Sock Hwee Tan, Xiaoxun Yang, Caryn L. Heidt, Jodi Pedersen, Michael Talanker, Harshvardhan Modh, Matthias G. Wacker, Giorgia Pastorin, Siew Pang Chan, A. Mark Richards, Chris J. Charles, Mark Y. Chan, Jiong Wei Wang

Michigan Tech Publications, Part 1

The subset of plasma extracellular vesicles (EVs) that coprecipitate with low-density lipoprotein (LDL-EVs) carry coagulation and fibrinolysis pathway proteins as cargo. We investigated the association between LDL-EV hemostatic/fibrinolysis protein ratios and post-acute myocardial infarction (post-AMI) left ventricular (LV) remodeling which precedes heart failure. Protein concentrations of von Willebrand factor (VWF), SerpinC1 and plasminogen were determined in LDL-EVs extracted from plasma samples obtained at baseline (within 72 h post-AMI), 1 month and 6 months post-AMI from 198 patients. Patients were categorized as exhibiting adverse (n = 98) or reverse (n = 100) LV remodeling based on changes in LV end-systolic volume …

Magnetized Inulin By Fe3o4 As A Bio-Nano Adsorbent For Treating Water Contaminated With Methyl Orange And Crystal Violet Dyes, Kamran Valizadeh, Amir Bateni, Nazanin Sojoodi, Maryam Rostami Ataabadi, Amir Hossein Behroozi, Ali Maleki, Zhenjiang You

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Current work focuses on fabricating a new bio-nano adsorbent of Fe₃O₄@inulin nanocomposite via an in-situ co-precipitation procedure to adsorb methyl orange (MO) and crystal violet (CV) dyes from aqueous solutions. Different physical characterization analyses verified the successful fabrication of the magnetic nanocomposite. The adsorbent performance in dye removal was evaluated by varying initial dye concentration, adsorbent dosage, pH and temperature in 5110 mg/L, 0.10.8 g/L, 111 and 283 – 338 K, respectively. Due to the pH of zero point of charge and intrinsic properties of dyes, the optimum pHs were 5 and 7 for MO and …

Surface Modification Of 3d Printed Microfluidic Devices For Controlled Wetting In Two-Phase Flow, Chandler A. Warr, Nicole G. Crawford, Gregory P. Nordin, William G. Pitt

Faculty Publications

Microfluidic devices (MFDs) printed in 3-D geometry using digital light projection to polymerize monomers often have surfaces that are not as hydrophobic as MFDs made from polydimethylsiloxane. Droplet microfluidics in these types of devices are subject to droplet adhesion and aqueous spreading on less hydrophobic MFD surfaces. We have developed a post-processing technique using hydrophobic monomers that renders the surfaces of these devices much more hydrophobic. The technique is fast and easy, and involves flowing monomer without initiator into the channels and then exposing the entire device to UV light that generates radicals from the initiator molecules remaining in the …

Application Of Distributed Fiber-Optic Sensing For Pressure Predictions And Multiphase Flow Characterization, Gerald Kelechi Ekechukwu

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

In the oil and gas industry, distributed fiber optics sensing (DFOS) has the potential to revolutionize well and reservoir surveillance applications. Using fiber optic sensors is becoming increasingly common because of its chemically passive and non-magnetic interference properties, the possibility of flexible installations that could be behind the casing, on the tubing, or run on wireline, as well as the potential for densely distributed measurements along the entire length of the fiber. The main objectives of my research are to develop and demonstrate novel signal processing and machine learning computational techniques and workflows on DFOS data for a variety of …

Formation And Interrogation Of A Modeling Excel Database For Sorbent Preconcentrate With Gc/Ms, Lisa Caravello

Chemical and Biological Engineering ETDs

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are of great interest and the subject of much research, as they can be used in various applications. Preconcentrating this class of analytes is necessary as they can be elusive with simple sampling techniques. VOCs are often captured using sorbents in thermal desorption tubes as preconcentrates prior to analysis, commonly gas chromatography mass spectroscopy (GCMS). There are gaps in knowledge in behavior of materials used as sorbents i.e., if they will retain an analyte of interest appropriately. In this research I seek to eliminate speculation and unknown variables of analyte and sorbent combinations by creating a …

Structure And Morphology Of Photoreactive Monomer–Nanoparticle Mixtures Under Patterned Irradiation, Shreyas Pathreeker

Dissertations - ALL

Establishing processing–structure relationships is central to materials science. In this work, we seek answers to whether morphology can be controlled during Light–Induced Self–Writing (LISW) in polymer composite materials, and if yes, how? LISW is based on the ability of light to undergo divergence–free propagation in photoreactive media due to photopolymerization–induced rise in refractive index of the medium. Notably, LISW in polymeric materials has found use predominantly for the fabrication of optical waveguides but has not been explored in polymer–inorganic mixtures. Using through–mask projection which creates a spatially periodic array of optical beams, this work extends LISW to nanoparticle–monomer mixtures to …

Synthesis And Characterization Of Hybrid Catalysts For Fischer-Tropsch Jet Fuel Production, Jack M. Steinagel

Honors College Theses

Climate change is a major issue that our world is facing today. Finding renewable options for current infrastructure is paramount to solving this issue. Fischer-Tropsch synthesis of syngas from gasified biomass can produce renewable fuels that can be used in current conventional combustion engines. In order to make this process more industrially viable, a higher selectivity towards the desired range of liquid hydrocarbon products must be achieved. A novel way to do this is to introduce a catalyst to the Fischer-Tropsch reaction. The catalyst’s physical and chemical properties can promote chain growth of specific hydrocarbons. For the purpose of this …

A Robust Random Forest Prediction Model For Mother-To-Child Hiv Transmission Based On Individual Medical History, Rebecca Chaula

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) continues to be a leading cause of mortality and reduces manpower throughout the world. HIV transmission from mother to child is still a global challenge in health research. According to UNAIDS, in every 7 girls, 6 are found to be newly infected among adolescents whereby 15-24 years are likely to be living with HIV which is the maternal age and likely to transfer to the child. Machine learning methods have been used to predict HIV/AIDS transmission from mother to child but left behind some important considerations including the use of patient-level information and techniques in balancing …

Investigating The Support For Agility In Developing Government Software Systems: A Case Of Three East African Countries, Leonard Peter Binamungu

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

Agile Software Development Methods support an iterative and incremental way of developing software systems while responding to change by prioritising various aspects at different times. This differs from traditional sequential methods like Waterfall, in which one software development stage has to be completed before starting the next stage. To produce software systems that meet the requirements of their institutions, several governments in Africa have issued standards and guidelines to be followed during the development of government software systems. Such standards and guidelines specify the specific activities and deliverables for each stage of software development. While well-intentioned, such guidelines and standards …

Development Of Directed Randomization For Discussing A Minimal Security Architecture, Henrique Oyama, Dominic Messina, Keshav Kasturi Rangan, Akkarakaran Francis Leonard, Kip Nieman, Helen Durand, Katie Tyrrell, Katrina Hinzman, Michael Williamson

Chemical Engineering and Materials Science Faculty Research Publications

Strategies for mitigating the impacts of cyberattacks on control systems using a control-oriented perspective have become of greater interest in recent years. Our group has contributed to this trend by developing several methods for detecting cyberattacks on process sensors, actuators, or both sensors and actuators simultaneously using an advanced optimization-based control strategy known as Lyapunov-based economic model predictive control (LEMPC). However, each technique comes with benefits and limitations, both with respect to one another and with respect to traditional information technology and computer science-type approaches to cybersecurity. An important question to ask, therefore, is what the goal should be of …

Synthesis Of Novel Chiral Phosphorothioic Acid Organocatalysts And Application To Synthetic Methodology, Parsa Azaei

Undergraduate Research Symposium Posters

Much research efforts have been centered towards the synthesis of novel Bronsted acid catalysts. These organocatalyst enable synthesis of natural products, pharmaceuticals, and bioactive small molecules under toxic-metal-free conditions by donating their protons, while not being consumed in the reaction. Chiral phosphorothioic acid have significant potential as novel organocatalysts due to their high modifiability of chirality and acidity under environmentally friendly conditions; however, synthesis of these organocatalysts are far and in between. Therefore, our research aimed to i) synthesize novel phosphorothioic acid organocatalysts and ii) to apply these novel catalysts toward new methodology development.

Structure And Dynamics Of Lignin In Condensed Phase For Biomass Conversion, Nusrat Jahan

Theses and Dissertations

Lignocellulosic biomass represents the largest potential volume and lowest cost for biofuel and biochemical production. Harnessing the full potential of the lignocellulosic biomass for low-carbon energy requires the knowledge of efficient breakdown and fractionation of its carbohydrates and lignin. Organic solvent pretreatment is recognized as an emerging way ahead because of its inherent advantages, such as the ability to fractionate lignocellulosic biomass into cellulose, lignin, and hemicellulose components with high purity, as well as easy solvent recovery and solvent reuse. Through all-atom MD simulation, we analyze the conformational transition of diverse lignin molecules in varying concentration of Methanol/water , DMSO/water …

Towards High-Rate Thermoplastic Composites, Chris Croshaw

Dissertations

This dissertation attempts to identify and address the problems associated with high-rate thermoplastic composites. Herein, three primary research thrusts were investigated; the first two chapters focus on the melt-state degradation mechanism of PEKK copolymers and its role on downstream crystallization and thermomechanical properties, the third chapter examines the role of graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) on the crystallization and melting behavior of PEKK 70/30, and the final chapter focused on radio frequency and induction heating of PEKK nanocomposites.

The melt-state degradation mechanism was identified using a combination of x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), molecular dynamics (MD), and quantum mechanics (QM) simulations. Melt-state degradation …

Controlling Differentiation Of Adult Stem Cells Via Cell-Derived Nanoparticles: Implications In Bone Repair, Shruthi Polla Ravi, Yasmeen Shamiya, Aishik Chakraborty, Ali Coyle, Alap A. Zahid, Jin Wang, Michael Boutilier, Emmanuel Ho, Arghya Paul

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Publications

No abstract provided.

Prophylaxis And Remediation For Future Pandemic Pathogens-(Lessons From A Post-Covid World), Mark E. Obrenovich, Moncef B. Tayahi, Caryn L. Heidt, Steven N. Emancipator

Michigan Tech Publications, Part 1

Since influenza and coronaviruses are currently deadly and emerging threats worldwide, better treatment, remediation and prevention options are needed. In that regard, a basic understanding of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-CoV-2/COVID-19 () and other viral pathogen mechanisms of transmission are expected. Unfortunately, unprecedented, and growing distrust of vaccines and even masks or personal protective equipment (PPE) in the United States and elsewhere presents itself as an added challenge. We postulate that development of improved and highly effective prophylactic measures, together with new life-saving therapies that do inhibit or otherwise treat infection of SARS-CoV-2, influenza and other viral pathogens, could be …

Programming The Properties Of Branched Polymers Through Precision Architectures, Michael R. Dearman

LSU Master's Theses

The glass transition of branched polymers is determined by multiple structural parameters that dictate their inter- and intramolecular interactions, and ultimately, their molecular packing in the amorphous phase. Here we examined the impact of side chain length, backbone length, molecular weight composition, and topology on the glass transition behavior of bottlebrush polymers. Through examining precision bottlebrush polymer libraries (PBP, ĐSC = 1.0), we find the infinite molecular weight Tg is reached at a specific brush length after which the effect of the side-chain length dominates. Being a factor more dominant than the backbone, side-chain length affects the Tg of bottlebrush …

Effect Of Hydrogen Sulfide Content On The Combustion Characteristics Of Biogas Fuel In Homogenous Charge Compression Ignition Engines, Mohammad Alrbai, Adnan Darwish Ahmad, Sameer Al-Dahidi, Ahmad M. Abubaker, Loiy Al-Ghussain, Hassan S. Hayajneh, Nelson Akafuah

Institute of Research for Technology Development Faculty Publications

The use of biogas fuel in homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) engines has been promoted recently due to the environmental advantages. However, hydrogen sulfide (H2 S) forms a non-environment friendly content and biogas impurity that its removal is associated with high costs. In this study, the effect of using biogas fuel in the HCCI engines under different operating conditions is investigated to shed light on the best scenarios of biogas combustion, even with the presence of H2S contents. A modified reaction mechanism is introduced by considering the re- actions of H2 S with other species in the air-fuel mixture. The …

Lipids Affect The Diffusion Of Estradiol In Osteonal Bone, Nicholas Anthony Cimino

ETD Archive

In healthy osteonal bone, embedded osteocytes form an intercellular communication network through overlapping cell membrane extensions, possibly defining an overlooked and clinically relevant lipid-mediated transport pathway for nonpolar molecules. Previous techniques evaluating solute transport in cortical bone limit tissue analysis to microscale areas (less than 1 mm2) using tracers and assumptions that diminish clinical relevance, presenting the need for an improved method to evaluate solute diffusion in macroscale areas (greater than 1 mm2) of osteonal bone. A new diffusion system - constructed of glass and polytetrafluoroethylene - was designed and validated for this purpose, exhibiting minimal adsorption of solutes and …

Anion Alloying Of Iii-V Semiconductors For Water Splitting., Sonia Calero-Barney

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The challenge of solar energy conversion and storage translates into the discovery and development of semiconductor materials that can transform sunlight energy into electricity and/or high-energy-density fuels in a cost-effective way. From the solar energy conversion perspective, cation-alloyed III-V solar cells hold record-breaking energy conversion efficiencies, while anion-alloyed III-V’s are particularly interesting for photoelectrochemical hydrogen generation. The major challenge for the adoption of III-V-based technologies lies in the high manufacturing costs of established synthesis techniques and the difficulty to control the composition of ternary alloys. One of the materials investigated in this work is GaSb_zP_1-z. Thermodynamic …

Post-Translational Modifications And Age-Related Hearing Loss, Parveen Bazard, Jennifer Pineros, Alejandro A. Acosta, Mark Thivierge, Lauren R. Paganella, Samuel Zucker, Freyda L. Mannering, Shrikar Modukuri, Xiaoxia Zhu, Robert D. Frisina, Bo Ding

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Post-translational modifications (PTMs) affect nearly all systems of the human body due to their role in protein synthesis and functionality. These reversible and irreversible modifications control the structure, localization, activity, and properties of proteins. For this reason, PTMs are essential in regulating cellular processes and maintaining homeostasis. Diseases such as Alzheimer's, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, and many others have been linked to dysfunctions of PTMs. Recent research has also shown that irregularities in PTMs can be linked to hearing loss, including age-related hearing loss (ARHL) – the number one communication disorder and one of the top neurodegenerative diseases in our …

Generation Of Phase Transitions Boundaries Via Convolutional Neural Networks, Christopher Alexis Ibarra

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Accurate mapping of phase transitions boundaries is crucial in accurately modeling the equation of state of materials. The phase transitions can be structural (solid-solid) driven by temperature or pressure or a phase change like melting which defines the solid-liquid melt line. There exist many computational methods for evaluating the phase diagram at a particular point in temperature (T) and pressure (P). Most of these methods involve evaluation of a single (P,T) point at a time. The present work partially automates the search for phase boundaries lines utilizing a machine learning method based on convolutional neural networks and an efficient search …

Artificial Neural Network For Predicting Heat Transfer Rates In Supercritical Carbon Dioxide, Vinusha Dasarla Giri Babu

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

Supercritical carbon dioxide as a working fluid in a closed Brayton cycle is proving to be more efficient than a conventional steam-based Rankine engine. Understanding the heat transfer properties of supercritical fluids is important for the design of a working engine cycle. The thermophysical properties of supercritical fluids tend to vary non-linearly near the pseudo-critical region. Traditionally, empirical correlations are used to calculate the heat transfer coefficient. It has been shown in the literature and within our own studies that these correlations provide inaccurate predictions near the pseudo-critical line, where heat transfer may be deteriorated or enhanced, resulting from strong …

Study Of Sustainable Development In Paper, Printing And Packaging Material Applications To Support Circular Economy, Prashant Ramesh Kotkar

Dissertations

To support circular economy and sustainability, the use of suitable material in paper, printing, and packaging industries, for several types of industrial printing material and printed product applications, plays a significant role for end user applications. Several types of packaging printing materials, specifically those finished with different printing technologies and exposed to different environmental conditions are targeted.

The purpose of this research study is to improve design and evaluation for paper, printing, and packaging material sustainability in end-user applications, to deal with the addressed sustainability issues brought by the paper, printing and packaging products end user groups. As the impacts …

Live Imaging Of Micro And Macro Wettability Variations Of Carbonate Oil Reservoirs For Enhanced Oil Recovery And Co/ Trapping/Storage, Anastasia Ivanova, A. Orekhov, S. Markovic, Stefan Iglauer, P. Grishin, A. Cheremisin

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Carbonate hydrocarbon reservoirs are considered as potential candidates for chemically enhanced oil recovery and for CO² geological storage. However, investigation of one main controlling parameter—wettability—is usually performed by conventional integral methods at the core-scale. Moreover, literature reports show that wettability distribution may vary at the micro-scale due to the chemical heterogeneity of the reservoir and residing fluids. These differences may profoundly affect the derivation of other reservoir parameters such as relative permeability and capillary pressure, thus rendering subsequent simulations inaccurate. Here we developed an innovative approach by comparing the wettability distribution on carbonates at micro and macro-scale by combining live-imaging …