Engineering Commons^™

Investigation Of Succinylated Zwitterionic Polyethylenimine/Dna Complexes: Performance In Serum, Internalization, And Intracellular Fate, Levi Lampe

Theses and Dissertations--Chemical and Materials Engineering

Gene therapy has promised to revolutionize medicine since the earliest clinical trials, but a lack of delivery methods that are both safe and efficient has hampered progress. Gene therapy with viral vectors is effective at delivering nucleic acids to cells, but is associated with dangerous immunogenic responses and cancer-causing insertions into the genome. Viral vectors are also among the most prohibitively costly therapeutics in medicine. Polymeric vectors avoid these dangers and are made from inexpensive, off-the- shelf materials, but have been hindered by poor efficiency compared to viral vectors.

A benchmark polymer for in vitro nucleic acid delivery has been …

Aqueous Synthesis Of Luminescent Semiconductors For Opto-Electronic Applications, Saurabh Singh

Theses and Dissertations--Chemical and Materials Engineering

The advancement of opto-electronic and scintillation technologies relies heavily on developing low-temperature, eco-friendly, and scalable synthesis routes for high performance luminescent halide-based semiconductor materials. However, traditional synthesis methods for halide-based semiconductors, including hot-injection, solvothermal, solid-state reactions, Ligand-Assisted Reprecipitation (LARP), microwave-assisted synthesis, and thin film deposition techniques (spin coating, physical vapor deposition (PVD), chemical vapor deposition (CVD), etc.), often demand toxic organic/inorganic solvents, elevated processing temperatures, and high vacuum/inert environments. Such constraints limit their scalability, raise environmental concerns, and impede their commercial-level device integration. This research overcomes these long-standing challenges by employing water as a powerful crystallization-directing, and environmentally benign medium …

Effect Of Inter Electrode Distance On Electrochemical Mineralization Of Calcium Carbonate In Mildly Acidic Environments, Irene Walker, Ivy Wu, Steven Decaluwe, Robert Bell, Kerry Rippy

Reviews, Analyses, and Instructional Studies in Electrochemistry (RAISE)

The effect of inter electrode distance (IED) on electrochemical mineralization in a parallel plate cell with a stainless-steel working electrode is presented. Three IEDs were tested, 6.5 mm, 15.5 mm, and 22.0 mm, for their water reduction effectiveness to create a region of local alkalinity that stimulates calcium carbonate precipitation in mildly acidic conditions. Chronoamperometry at -1.6 V for 30 minutes with ex-situ optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used. At the smallest IEDs, crystal clusters formed in growth-favored regimes as compared to the largest IED, where nucleation dominated, leading to encasement of the SS mesh. Rapid precipitation …

De Novo Protein Binding To Zinc Oxide Through Biomineralization Pathways, Jean-Mark A. Francis

Theses and Dissertations

De novo proteins are structurally distinct from proteins found in nature and thus capable of having their amino acid sequence modified to accomplish tasks such as increasing protein-nanoparticle binding without unfolding or decomposing. Zinc Oxide nanoparticles are functionally distinct from their bulk counterparts and are widely used as semiconductors in a variety of fields such as medicine and agriculture. With demand for these nanoparticles increasing, environmentally sustainable methods of Zinc Oxide nanoparticle synthesis are being investigated as an eco-friendly alternative to currently utilized but environmentally hazardous chemical and physical techniques. This research investigates the binding characteristics between Zinc Oxide nanoparticles …

Utilizing Coal For Mesophase Pitch-Based Carbon Fiber Production: Precursors, Processes, And Progress, Christina M. Thompson

Theses and Dissertations--Chemistry

Graphitic materials possess unique properties due to the unique combination of layered crystalline structure and carbon’s low atomic weight. High performance carbon fiber is one such example, displaying exceptional strength-to-weight ratios, stiffness, and thermal and chemical resistance. These properties render high performance carbon fiber a critical structural reinforcement material in the manufacture of composites across various industries, such as for automotive and aerospace applications. However, balancing fiber performance with precursor and processing costs remains a challenge. As alternative carbonaceous feedstocks are explored, coal has gained interest for utilization in graphitic products as a relatively abundant and low-cost source of aromatic …

Nanostructured Cathode Catalysts For Aem Electrolysis: From Catalyst Design To Degradation And Hydrogen Dynamics, Yamini Kumaran

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

Anion exchange membrane water electrolysis (AEMWE) presents a promising pathway toward cost-effective and sustainable hydrogen production by integrating the chemical robustness of alkaline systems with the compact, zero-gap design of proton exchange membrane electrolyzers. However, the widespread implementation of AEMWE is limited by the availability of highly active and durable platinum-group-metal (PGM)-free catalysts and by an incomplete understanding of their degradation behavior under realistic operating conditions.

This dissertation focuses on the development, characterization, and mechanistic investigation of nanostructured MoNi₄–MoO₂-based electrodes for efficient and stable hydrogen generation under alkaline and membrane-integrated environments. MoNi₄–MoO₂ nanorods …

The Composition Of Gases From A Diffusion Flame Above Longleaf Pine Needle Fuel Beds, David R. Weise, Thomas H. Fletcher, Timothy J. Johnson, Weimin Hao, Russell G. Tonkyn, Catherine A. Banach, Javier Palarea-Albaladejo, Mahsa Alizadeh, Stephen Baker

Faculty Publications

The gas and tar composition of a wildland fire diffusion flame from longleaf pine needles is currently relatively unmeasured and more data are needed to fill in the gap between pyrolysis data and smoke plume data, thus improving physical and chemical modeling of wildland smoke formation. A pilot experiment to measure light gas and tar composition of such a flame is described for three flame zones: persistent flame (flame base), intermittent flame, and smoke plume. Flame gases from 24 experimental fires were collected in canisters and analyzed for CO2, CO, H2, CH4, and C2 to C7 hydrocarbon gases. Other light …

Flow Field Characterization Of The Hyperreact Vitiated Hypersonic Wind Tunnel, Erik R. Fernandez

Graduate Studies Theses and Dissertations 2026

Reliable interpretation of hypersonic ground-test data requires knowledge of the thermochemical state delivered to the test section, especially in combustion-heated facilities where the gas is chemically altered before nozzle expansion. This thesis investigates the HyperReact vitiated hypersonic wind tunnel using the effective specific-heat ratio, γeff, as an experimentally inferred indicator of the coupled chemical and gas-dynamic behavior of hydrogen-air vitiated flow. HyperReact produces high stagnation temperatures through hydrogen-air combustion before expanding the mixture through interchangeable converging-diverging nozzles. During this expansion, temperature-dependent specific heats, molecular-weight changes, finite-rate chemistry, and internal energy relaxation can modify the relationship between Mach number, pressure ratio, …

Investigation On Selective Catalytic Reduction For Retrofit Of Commercial Aviation Aircraft Engines, Connor M. Wall

Graduate Studies Theses and Dissertations 2026

As the aviation industry continues to grow, the ever-increase of emissions from the sector becomes a growing concern. While the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) set a goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, there are other emissions like contrails and NOx that must still be addressed. Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) has been used in the transportation and power generation industry for over two decades and has been an effective solution for NOx reduction. Even with the success SCR has had in other industries, its capabilities in the aviation industry have been trivially investigated. Aircraft engines pose an unique challenge …

Optimization Of Carbon Capture And Sequestration In The Tri-State Hub West Virginia, Ohio, And Pennsylvania, Saif Abdullah Saif Al-Nabhani

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Carbon Capture and sequestration (CCS) is a critical way for the decarbonization of power and industrial sectors. The Tri-State area between West Virgina, Ohio and Pennsylvania are a diverse region with various CO₂ sources, deep saline, depleted reservoirs, pipeline network, and the midstream infrastructure that makes it possible for Captured CO₂ to be safely and economically moved and stored over long periods of time. This project addresses the need for an integrated optimization framework that includes CO₂ sources to potential storing sites using a transportation network design and a subsurface model that secures storage and minimizes leakage risk.

The model …

Process Modeling, Operability Analysis, And Techno-Economic Optimization Of Soecs For Sustainable H2 Production, Krishna Murthy Busam

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The global imperative to decarbonize energy systems has intensified research into sustainable hydrogen production pathways, as hydrogen emerges as a critical energy carrier for sectors difficult to electrify directly. Among water electrolysis technologies, solid oxide electrolyzer cells operating at elevated temperatures offer the highest theoretical efficiency by utilizing thermal energy to reduce electrical energy requirements, yet comprehensive frameworks integrating electrochemical modeling with process operability analysis and techno-economic optimization remain scarce in the literature. This dissertation develops a process systems framework for proton-conducting solid oxide electrolyzer cells that bridges the gap between fundamental electrochemical phenomena and industrial-scale process economics. At the …

Convergence Of High Throughput Experimentation And Machine Learning To Rapidly Advance Application-Specific Polymer Development, Mashrafee Aryan, Daniel Struble, Felix Campbell, Saroj Upreti, S. M.Ashik Abedin, Aahil Khambawla, Jeetain Mittal, Michael S. Dimitriyev, Emily B. Pentzer, Svetlana A. Sukhishvili, Xiaodan Gu, Boran Ma

Faculty Publications

Machine learning (ML) has heavily influenced the way scientific study is done with demonstrated successes in nearly every field. However, furthering performance and explainability of ML models in increasingly complex systems and with increasingly demanding outcomes requires a significant influx of high-quality data. To that end, this Review covers some of the techniques, instrumentation, and methodologies that have shown promise for significantly accelerating the discovery of polymer materials, optimization of their properties, and elucidation of property–application relationships through high throughput (HT) experimentation, characterization, and analysis. Attention is given to not only ML, but also to hardware advancements and their synergy …

Supply Chain Optimization For Fertilizer Production From Wastewater, Ethan Clement Robey

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

In West Virginia, approximately 27,000 tons of wastewater solids are generated annually, with nearly 75% being landfilled or alternatively disposed of in a non-beneficial manner. Over the past two decades, the amount of these solids being taken for beneficial uses, such as agricultural application, has declined by 25%, while landfilling has increased by more than 30%. This highlights issues related to eutrophication and disposal costs. This study aims to develop a supply chain optimization framework that addresses the conversion of wastewater solids into fertilizers to match local farm requirements, while determining processing facility locations that minimize transportation costs. To determine …

Sustainable Textiles Through Electrospinning: Addressing Environmental Challenges, Nicole Sharples, Omid Doustdar, Miguel Carmona‐Cabello, Shayan Abrishami, Jose M. Herreros, Ali Sadaghiani, Karl D. Dearn

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The textile industry, known for its significant environmental footprint, faces growing pressure to adopt sustainable practices. This review identifies the textile industry’s sustainability challenges and examines electrospinning as a promising technology to mitigate its environmental impact. Electrospinning enables the production of nanofibers with enhanced properties suitable for various textile applications, offering potential solutions to reduce resource consumption and waste generation. This review discusses the current uses of electrospinning in textile manufacturing and analyses emerging trends in textile recycling, emphasising the role of electrospinning in transforming waste textiles into value-added products. Prospects for advancing electrospinning techniques to achieve efficient textile recycling …

Performance Investigation Of Microchannel Heat Sink With Biomimetic Trefoil Cavities On Different Walls, Sadiq Ali, Numan Habib, Faraz Ahmad, Aamer Sharif, Ana Vafadar

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The modern world is shifting towards digitalization and miniaturization, leading to higher flux densities in electronic components and machines. However, conventional cooling methods, such as air-cooled smooth channels, are proving inadequate for removing the huge amounts of heat generated, thereby compromising the reliability and operational lifespan of electronic systems. This necessitates urgently exploring and analyzing modern techniques like microchannel cooling to improve its efficiency. This work uses ANSYS to conduct numerical simulations and investigates the heat transfer and flow behavior in a microchannel heat sink. The smooth channel is used to investigate and validate the flow behavior with the available …

Towards Carbon Geosequestration: Comparing The Wettability Performance Of Western Australian Altered Basaltic Rock/Co2/Water Systems, Seyi Philemon Akanji, Rossen Sedev, Lionel Esteban, Ausama Giwelli, Trevor Beardsmore, Heather Howard, Joel Sarout, Alireza Keshavarz, Stefan Iglauer

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Geosequestration of carbon dioxide in basaltic rock formations is considered to have the potential to safely and permanently store significant quantities of this greenhouse gas and thereby mitigate its potential global warming effect. The success of this storage method is primarily dependent on the wettability behaviour of the rock-water-CO2 system, which significantly affects fluid distribution, fluid transport, storage capacity and containment security. This study investigates the wettability performance of several Western Australian altered basaltic rocks, of similar geochemistry, porosity and inter-connection. The wettability behaviour of the basaltic materials is assessed using water containing ions that have been leached from the …

Tribological Properties Of Woven Carbon Fiber/Peek Composites From Ambient To 200 °C: Ultra-Low Wear And Performance Evolution, Zheng Bo Xu, Shu Qing Kou, Feng Qiu, Liang Yu Chen, Hong Yu Yang, Jun Nan Dai, Shi Li Shu, Ruifen Guo, Qi Chuan Jiang, Lai Chang Zhang

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The limited mechanical and tribological stability of carbon fiber reinforced PEEK matrix composites at elevated temperatures remains a major obstacle to their widespread application in extreme service environments. In this work, stain-woven carbon fiber (60 wt%) reinforced PEEK composite (CP60) was fabricated via compression molding, and its temperature-dependent mechanical and wear performance was systematically evaluated. Friction and wear behavior were systematically investigated using pin-on-disc tests under dry sliding conditions. Experiments were conducted at two distinct temperatures (room temperature (RT) and 200 °C) with diverse loads (200–400 N) and sliding velocities (0.47 and 0.94 m/s). The composite exhibited lower average friction …

Harnessing Mono-2-(Methacryloyloxy) Ethyl Succinate Grafting For Robust Micro/Nanoplastic-Resistant Ultrafiltration Membranes, Mohadeseh Najafi, Javad Farahbakhsh, Mitra Golgoli, Michael Johns, Masoumeh Zargar

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The growing presence of microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) in water systems poses a serious threat to conventional treatment processes, particularly membrane filtration. This study focuses on a surface modification strategy for commercial ultrafiltration (UF) membranes via plasma-induced grafting of mono-2-(methacryloyloxy) ethyl succinate (MMES) to enhance resistance against MP/NPs fouling. The membranes were characterised using advanced analytical techniques, including high-resolution scanning electron microscopy (HRSEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and atomic force microscopy (AFM), confirming successful grafting, increased hydrophilicity, and a more negative surface charge. At optimal conditions of grafting (2 min pretreatment, 0.5 M monomer concentration, and 3 h grafting …

Ai-Enhanced Smart Sensors For Heavy Metal Detection In Water Treatment, Fatemeh Noorisafa, Amir Razmjou, Asghar Taheri-Kafrani, Fatemeh Ejeian, Mohsen Asadnia, Hamidreza Akbari Ghavamabadi

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Artificial intelligence (AI) enhances biosensor design by efficiently processing and modeling environmental data. This study employs machine learning algorithms to optimize biosensor parameters for the detection of trace-level heavy metals in aquatic environments, utilizing enzymes, DNAzymes, and aptamers as recognition elements. Machine learning models, including decision trees, random forests, gradient boosting, ensemble neural networks, and GLMM,were trained on extensive laboratory datasets. Among these, the random forest model exhibited the highest predictive accuracy, achieving 71 % for the limit of detection (LOD), 75 % for the minimum concentration of linearity, and 62 % for the maximum concentration of linearity. The AI-driven …

Effects Of Electroshock Treatment On Microstructure Evolution And Mechanical Properties Of Ti-8al-1mo-1v Alloy, Jian Zhou, Yu Peng Yao, Hong Xin Sun, Chang Liu, Yan Wen, Li Qiang Wang, Lai Chang Zhang, Le Chun Xie, Lin Hua

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The effect mechanism of electroshock treatment (EST) on microstructure evolution and mechanical property variations of Ti-8Al-1Mo-1V alloy was investigated. The results show that EST results in the phase transformation from the acicular secondary αs to β phase. While the EST time is 0.12 s, the acicular martensitic phase (αM) precipitates. The results of electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD) reveals that the average grain size decreases from 3.95 to 2.53 μm after EST, indicating that the grains are refined, and the significant recrystallization behavior and martensitic transformation occur. The orientation distribution reveals a more uniform distribution of texture, which is caused by …

Enhanced Strength And Corrosion Resistance Of Ti-13nb-12ta-10zr-4sn Alloy By Aging Treatment, Yuhua Li, Rong Zhao, Qian Zhang, Haojie Wang, Yujing Liu, Lai Chang Zhang

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This work investigates the effect of aging treatment on the mechanical properties and corrosion resistance of Ti-13Nb-12Ta-10Zr-4Sn (TNTZS) alloy prepared by vacuum arc melting. The as-cast TNTZS alloy was solution-treated and aged at 450°C (HT450) and 550°C (HT550). Microstructural characterization revealed significant changes in the phase proportion (in vol%), which transformed from 64% β, 19% α, and 17% α″ in as-cast condition to 54% β, 13% α, and 33% α″ for HT450 and 55% β, 25% α, and 20% α″ for HT550, respectively. The tensile strength and yield strength increased from 608 and 424 MPa in as-cast condition to 1192 …

Photocatalytic Degradation Of Cephalexin, Amoxicillin, And Phenol Red Using A Green-Synthesized Folic Acid–Zno–Bi2o3 Nanoporous System, M. Sarani, Haghighi, P. Tamaddon, A. Najafidoust, P. Faghani-Eskandarkolaei, N. Sattarahmady

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The persistent presence of pharmaceutical pollutants like amoxicillin (AMX) and cephalexin (CPX), and industrial dyes such as phenol red (PR) in wastewater poses serious ecological and public health risks, including antibiotic resistance. It necessitates efficient and low-cost remediation technologies. Photocatalysts employing innovative and engineered nanomaterials such as bismuth oxide (Bi2O3) and zinc oxide (ZnO) nanostructures exhibit considerable potential for eliminating pollutants. This study focused on the photodegradation of AMX, CPX, and PR utilizing green-synthesized folic acid–ZnO–Bi2O3 nanoparticles (F-Zn-Bi NPs) under visible light irradiation. Characterization of the synthesized photocatalyst was conducted using various techniques of powder x-ray diffraction (PXRD), field emission …

Aqueous Iron Electrowinning: From Electrolyte Engineering To The Unexplored Potential Of Acetate Systems, Chodwell N. Verenga

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Iron electrowinning and electrodeposition sit at the intersection of classical metallurgy and developing sustainable manufacturing. With the iron and steel industry responsible for 7 - 9% of global CO₂ emissions, low-temperature electrochemical pathways for iron production have garnered significant research interest. This review examines the fundamental electrochemical principles governing iron deposition, the thermodynamic constraints imposed by the iron-water system, and the kinetic challenges posed by the parasitic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). The three key electrolyte systems are objectively evaluated: acidic sulfate and chloride electrolytes, alkaline suspension electrolytes and water-in-salt electrolytes. Their operating parameters, faradaic efficiencies, energy consumption and deposit characteristics …

Numerical And Experimental Evaluation Of A Simple, Low-Energy Lunar Volatile Separation Technology, Eleanor L. Zimmermann

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

In-situ resource utilization (ISRU) is the practice of finding, extracting, and using the local resources found on extraterrestrial bodies, such as the Moon and Mars. ISRU enables in-situ production of mission consumables—such as rocket fuel and potable water—which will be critical for establishing a sustainable human presence on the Moon, a goal NASA intends to accomplish by 2028 with the Artemis missions. The separation and liquefaction of locally extracted volatiles—such as water, CO₂, and Methane—is an essential component in lunar surface sustainability, but there are very few technologies being developed for this purpose. This report introduces the Radiative …

Mechanical Fractionation Of Wheat Middlings For Application In Pyrolysis And Animal Feed, Okwudili I. Obiakor

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Wheat middlings are grain byproducts that are underused for bioenergy production despite having a high lignocellulose content. Its use as a feedstock for catalytic pyrolysis depends on effective and sustainable fractionation to enhance efficiency and product yield. This study tested mechanical pre-fractionation (sieving and air classification) to reduce ash content of certain fractions to < 1% for catalytic pyrolysis and enrich nutrient levels of other fractions for feed applications. Wheat middlings were separated into 11 fractions using screen sizes from 106 µm to 1651 µm, and the composition of each fraction was characterized (ash, protein, structural carbohydrates, lignin, starch, and simple sugars). For cyclone separation, a full factorial design was used to study the effect of air velocity (15,18, 20 m/s) and feed rate (33, 35, 38 kg/h) on the amount of material collected in the underflow and overflow, and the composition of these fractions was characterized. Sieving showed a pronounced segregation of ash content, from 4.5% to 6.5% in wheat middlings fractions, with 5.7% being the lowest for coarse fractions which has higher lignocellulose content, and 4.5% in the fine fraction (150-212 µm). The same defined enrichment was observed in all nutrients except for protein. Starch enrichment zone were defined in the fine fractions (212 µm and below), for structural carbohydrates and lignin in the coarse fractions (600 µm and above), and for ash in coarse fractions (1180-1651 µm). In contrast, protein content was not significantly different between various fractions (p value=0.787). The fiber rich fraction (> 600 µm), suitable for pyrolysis, which have a composite ash value of 6.0% can be sorted and mixed with intermediate fractions to reduce ash to 5.3% and the remaining fractions rich in digestible nutrients used for animal feed formulation. Compared to sieving, cyclone separations did not …

Numerically Evaluating The Effect Of Extrusion Angle On Material Flow And Thermal Behaviour During Additive Friction Extrusion Deposition (Afed), Numan Habib, Ferdinando Guzzomi, Ana Vafadar

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Additive Friction Extrusion Deposition (AFED), also known as “SoftTouch”, is an emerging friction-based Additive Manufacturing (AM) technology allowing material to soften before the deposition, increasing the printing speed and reducing cost [1]. However, high power is required during the process, as excessive force is needed to extrude enough material through the printing head. This study investigates how extrusion angle and tool rotational speed affect thermal distribution and material flow in AFED to minimise power consumption. A three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model is proposed, and ANSYS ^® Workbench CFD code (Fluent) is used to discretise the CFD model. A User-Defined …

Additive Manufacturing And Heat Treatment Of Zero Poisson’S Ratio Self-Expanding Nitinol Stents, Farhana Yasmin, Vafadar, Majid Tolouei-Rad

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Additive manufacturing (AM) has recently gained attention as an effective approach for printing patient-specific, self-expanding Nitinol (NiTi alloy) stents with complex structural designs for the treatment of peripheral arterial disease (PAD). However, achieving the desired phase transformation temperature and superelastic performance remains challenging due to compositional variations, phase imbalance and microstructural inhomogeneities introduced during the printing process. In this study, self-expanding Nitinol stents with a zero Poisson’s ratio (ZPR) structural design were fabricated via laser powder bed fusion (PBF-LB). The printed stents showed no evidence of cracks or structural defects, confirming PBF-LB’s capability to produce mechanically sound stent geometries. However, …

Material Degradation And Analysis Of N-Doped Graphene/Mof Nanocatalysts For Orr In Electrochemical Energy Systems, Niladri Talukder

Dissertations

The development of advanced electrochemical energy conversion and storage systems is crucial for achieving sustainable energy security. As alternatives to precious metal-based catalysts in electrochemical systems, especially for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), Nitrogen-doped Graphene with Metal-organic Frameworks (N-G/MOF) nanocatalysts have shown exceptional promise in recent years. This research advances the understanding of N-G/MOF nanocatalysts by systematically examining their structural features, degradation traits, correlated performance losses, and other aspects related to catalytic activities.

First, nitrogen-doped graphene (N-G) nanocatalysts were thoroughly investigated, resolving their physical properties, the influence of synthesis parameters, molecular-level material structures, and chemical and electronic structural details of …

Effect Of Local Steel Slag Incorporation On The Mechanical Properties Of Concrete, Ahmed Safaa Tariq Karmah, Wissam Khadum Alsaraj, Luma A. Zghair

Al-Esraa University College Journal for Engineering Sciences

The increasing interest in the production of concrete through the utilization of inexpensive materials has caused a rise in the number of studies concerning the use of materials with cementitious properties, such as Silica Fume, Slag, Fly Ash and other pozzolanic materials. Moreover, the increasing amounts of Steel Slag being produced from local factories that are being deposited without an available method of disposal provides an opportunity to harness the Slag in the production of an inexpensive, and possibly better concrete. Slag has been used as both an addition and substitution of the cement and fine aggregate. The mixtures included …

Decoding Climate Change: A Comprehensive Statistical Insight Into Temperature Anomalies In Iraq And Its Neighboring Countries, Jameel T. Al-Naffakha, Mohammed R. Al-Qassabanda, Israa Jafar

Al-Esraa University College Journal for Engineering Sciences

This study applies advanced statistical techniques, including the Mann-Kendall Trend Test and ARIMA forecasting, to validate and predict temperature anomalies across Iraq and its neighboring countries (2014–2024). Findings confirm a statistically significant warming trend (p < 0.00000005) across all nations, with Syria (1.02°C) and Turkey (0.97°C) experiencing the highest anomalies. GIS-based spatial analysis highlights regional disparities, identifying climate-vulnerable zones. The persistent rise in temperature anomalies correlates with worsening water scarcity, desertification, and extreme weather events, including prolonged droughts and heatwaves. Iraq’s peak anomaly (1.48°C) has exacerbated heat stress, agricultural decline, and reduced river inflows, while Kuwait and Saudi Arabia struggle to maintain critical infrastructure under record-breaking temperatures exceeding 50°C. These climate shifts pose severe risks to water availability, food security, and energy demand, necessitating urgent policy interventions. Key recommendations include enhanced water resource management, climate-adaptive agriculture, and renewable energy expansion. If left unaddressed, rising temperatures could destabilize the region, increasing socio-economic vulnerabilities and escalating resource conflicts. This study underscores the need for cross-border collaboration and sustainable adaptation policies to mitigate the long-term impacts of climate change in the Middle East.