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Full-Text Articles in Engineering

Optimal Configuration Of Extreme Fast Charging Stations Integrated With Energy Storage System And Photovoltaic Panels In Distribution Networks, Zhouquan Wu, Pradeep Bhat, Bo Chen Mar 2023

Optimal Configuration Of Extreme Fast Charging Stations Integrated With Energy Storage System And Photovoltaic Panels In Distribution Networks, Zhouquan Wu, Pradeep Bhat, Bo Chen

Michigan Tech Publications

Extreme fast charging (XFC) for electric vehicles (EVs) has emerged recently because of the short charging period. However, the extreme high charging power of EVs at XFC stations may severely impact distribution networks. This paper addresses the estimation of the charging power demand of XFC stations and the design of multiple XFC stations with renewable energy resources in current distribution networks. First, a Monte Carlo (MC) simulation tool was created utilizing the EV arrival time and state-of-charge (SOC) distributions obtained from the dataset of vehicle travel surveys. Various impact factors are considered to obtain a realistic estimation of the charging …


Noise2clean: Cross-Device Side-Channel Traces Denoising With Unsupervised Deep Learning, Honggang Yu, Mei Wang, Xiyu Song, Haoqi Shan, Hongbing Qiu, Junyi Wang, Kaichen Yang Feb 2023

Noise2clean: Cross-Device Side-Channel Traces Denoising With Unsupervised Deep Learning, Honggang Yu, Mei Wang, Xiyu Song, Haoqi Shan, Hongbing Qiu, Junyi Wang, Kaichen Yang

Michigan Tech Publications

Deep learning (DL)-based side-channel analysis (SCA) has posed a severe challenge to the security and privacy of embedded devices. During its execution, an attacker exploits physical SCA leakages collected from profiling devices to create a DL model for recovering secret information from victim devices. Despite this success, recent works have demonstrated that certain countermeasures, such as random delay interrupts or clock jitters, would make these attacks more complex and less practical in real-world scenarios. To address this challenge, we present a novel denoising scheme that exploits the U-Net model to pre-process SCA traces for “noises” (i.e., countermeasures) removal. Specifically, we …


A Simple Micromilled Microfluidic Impedance Cytometer With Vertical Parallel Electrodes For Cell Viability Analysis, Jason Eades, Julianne F. Audiffred, Micah Fincher, Jin Woo Choi, Steven A. Soper, William Todd Monroe Feb 2023

A Simple Micromilled Microfluidic Impedance Cytometer With Vertical Parallel Electrodes For Cell Viability Analysis, Jason Eades, Julianne F. Audiffred, Micah Fincher, Jin Woo Choi, Steven A. Soper, William Todd Monroe

Michigan Tech Publications

Microfluidic impedance cytometry has been demonstrated as an effective platform for single cell analysis, taking advantage of microfabricated features and dielectric cell sensing methods. In this study, we present a simple microfluidic device to improve the sensitivity, accuracy, and throughput of single suspension cell viability analysis using vertical sidewall electrodes fabricated by a widely accessible negative manufacturing method. A microchannel milled through a 75 µm platinum wire, which was embedded into poly-methyl-methacrylate (PMMA), created a pair of parallel vertical sidewall platinum electrodes. Jurkat cells were interrogated in a custom low-conductivity buffer (1.2 ± 0.04 mS/cm) to reduce current leakage and …


Wavelet-Based Harmonic Magnitude Measurement In The Presence Of Interharmonics, Flavio Costa, Stefan Häselbarth, Sergey Yanchenko, Kai Strunz, Aurenice M. Oliveira Jan 2023

Wavelet-Based Harmonic Magnitude Measurement In The Presence Of Interharmonics, Flavio Costa, Stefan Häselbarth, Sergey Yanchenko, Kai Strunz, Aurenice M. Oliveira

Michigan Tech Publications

The increasing proliferation of power electronic converters, nonlinear loads, and distributed generation are leading to increased levels of harmonic and interharmonics in power networks. As a consequence, power quality (PQ) has become a critical performance indicator for power utilities and end-users. This study proposes a novel harmonic estimation method based on the real-time stationary discrete wavelet packet transform (RT-SDWPT). The proposed technique decomposes an input signal into frequency bands with harmonic information at cutoff frequencies and uses a compensation strategy to estimate root mean square (RMS) values of harmonics at every sampling period. The performance and effectiveness of the proposed …


Towards Scalable Spectral Clustering Via Spectrum-Preserving Sparsification, Yongyu Wang, Zhuo Feng Nov 2022

Towards Scalable Spectral Clustering Via Spectrum-Preserving Sparsification, Yongyu Wang, Zhuo Feng

Michigan Tech Publications

Eigenvalue decomposition of Laplacian matrices for large nearest-neighbor (NN)graphs is the major computational bottleneck in spectral clustering (SC). To fundamentally address this computational challenge in SC, we propose a scalable spectral sparsification framework that enables to construct nearly-linear-sized ultra-sparse NN graphs with guaranteed preservation of key eigenvalues and eigenvectors of the original Laplacian. The proposed method is based on the latest theoretical results in spectral graph theory and thus can be applied to robustly handle general undirected graphs. By leveraging a nearly-linear time spectral graph topology sparsification phase and a subgraph scaling phase via stochastic gradient descent (SGD) iterations, our …


A Smart Parallel Gripper Industrial Automation System For Measurement Of Gripped Work Piece Thickness, Erik Kocher, Chukwuemeka George Ochieze, Ahmat Oumar, Travis Winter, Aleksandr Sergeyev, Mark Gauthier, Nathir Rawashdeh Nov 2022

A Smart Parallel Gripper Industrial Automation System For Measurement Of Gripped Work Piece Thickness, Erik Kocher, Chukwuemeka George Ochieze, Ahmat Oumar, Travis Winter, Aleksandr Sergeyev, Mark Gauthier, Nathir Rawashdeh

Michigan Tech Publications

As part of the advanced programmable logic controllers (PLC) course at Michigan Tech, this class project is performed on a mechatronics system gifted by Donald Engineering, a Michigan-based supplier of industrial automation systems and components. This paper explores the functionality and ladder programming of the smart parallel gripper system to measure the width of components grasped with the gripper. In addition, details of the system’s components, operation, more advanced uses are discussed. On the automation line, this smart gripper can be used to measure the thickness of work pieces while handling them and classifying these as either acceptable, too large …


Gesture Controlled Collaborative Robot Arm And Lab Kit, Abel A. Reyes, Skylar Reinhardt, Tony Wise, Nathir Rawashdeh, Sidike Paheding Nov 2022

Gesture Controlled Collaborative Robot Arm And Lab Kit, Abel A. Reyes, Skylar Reinhardt, Tony Wise, Nathir Rawashdeh, Sidike Paheding

Michigan Tech Publications

In this paper, a mechatronics system was designed and implemented to include the subjects of artificial intelligence, control algorithms, robot servo motor control, and human-machine interface (HMI). The goal was to create an inexpensive, multi-functional robotics lab kit to promote students’ interest in STEM fields including computing and mechtronics. Industrial robotic systems have become vastly popular in manufacturing and other industries, and the demand for individuals with related skills is rapidly increasing. Robots can complete jobs that are dangerous, dull, or dirty for humans to perform. Recently, more and more collaborative robotic systems have been developed and implemented in the …


Mechatronics Bachelor Curriculum Development In Light Of Industry 4.0 Technology Needs: Contrasting Us And German University Curricula, Paniz Hazaveh, Aleksandr Sergeyev, Nathir Rawashdeh Nov 2022

Mechatronics Bachelor Curriculum Development In Light Of Industry 4.0 Technology Needs: Contrasting Us And German University Curricula, Paniz Hazaveh, Aleksandr Sergeyev, Nathir Rawashdeh

Michigan Tech Publications

This study compares Mechatronics bachelor curricula at universities in the United States of America and German universities. Mechatronics education is relatively new in the United States, but has been common in Germany for over a decade. With the multidisciplinary nature of technologies required by the 4’th industrial revolution, a.k.a. Industry 4.0, composing an appropriate Mechatronics curriculum becomes a challenge and an opportunity. This paper studies how Mechatronics education can address the future needs of industry, while building on a specific university’s strengths and industry links. We have also analyzed the new undergraduate Mechatronics program at Michigan Technological University (MTU) and …


Operation Of A Controllable Force-Sensing Industrial Pneumatic Parallel Gripper System, Brian Piechocki, Chelsey Spitzner, Namratha Karanam, Travis Winter, Aleksandr Sergeyev, Mark Gauthier, Nathir Rawashdeh Nov 2022

Operation Of A Controllable Force-Sensing Industrial Pneumatic Parallel Gripper System, Brian Piechocki, Chelsey Spitzner, Namratha Karanam, Travis Winter, Aleksandr Sergeyev, Mark Gauthier, Nathir Rawashdeh

Michigan Tech Publications

As part of the advanced programmable logic controllers (PLC) course at Michigan Tech, this class project was performed on a mechatronics system gifted by Donald Engineering, a Michigan-based supplier of industrial automation systems and components. This paper explores the functionality and application of a force-programmable and sensing pneumatic parallel gripper system. Force sensing is a critical part of many systems in modern automation systems. Applications such as prosthetics, robotic surgery, or basic manufacturing systems may rely on the ability to properly read and control forces applied to an object. This work evaluates the basic operation of the pneumatic force-sensing gripper …


An Industrial Pneumatic And Servo Four-Axis Robotic Gripper System: Description And Unitronics Ladder Logic Programming, Zongguang Liu, Chrispin Johnston, Aleksi Leino, Travis Winter, Aleksandr Sergeyev, Mark Gauthier, Nathir Rawashdeh Nov 2022

An Industrial Pneumatic And Servo Four-Axis Robotic Gripper System: Description And Unitronics Ladder Logic Programming, Zongguang Liu, Chrispin Johnston, Aleksi Leino, Travis Winter, Aleksandr Sergeyev, Mark Gauthier, Nathir Rawashdeh

Michigan Tech Publications

As part of the advanced programmable logic controllers (PLC) course at Michigan Tech, this class project is performed on a mechatronics system gifted by Donald Engineering, a Michigan-based supplier of industrial automation systems and components. This paper explores the functionality and ladder programming of a four-axis robot enclosed in a cage with one side guarded by an optical fence. The robot has pneumatically actuated X-Y linear motion and a pneumatic gripper. Furthermore, the Z-axis motion and gripper wrist rotation are controlled by servo motors. A human machine interface (HMI) is also present, and it allows for easy manipulation and programming …


The Missing Link Between Standing-And Traveling-Wave Resonators, Qi Zhong, Haoqi Zhao, Liang Feng, Kurt Busch, Sahin K. Özdemir, Ramy El-Ganainy Aug 2022

The Missing Link Between Standing-And Traveling-Wave Resonators, Qi Zhong, Haoqi Zhao, Liang Feng, Kurt Busch, Sahin K. Özdemir, Ramy El-Ganainy

Michigan Tech Publications

Optical resonators are structures that utilize wave interference and feedback to confine light in all three dimensions. Depending on the feedback mechanism, resonators can support either standing-or traveling-wave modes. Over the years, the distinction between these two different types of modes has become so prevalent that nowadays it is one of the main characteristics for classifying optical resonators. Here, we show that an intermediate link between these two rather different groups exists. In particular, we introduce a new class of photonic resonators that supports a hybrid optical mode, i.e. at one location along the resonator the electromagnetic fields associated with …


Through-Ice Acoustic Source Tracking Using Vision Transformers With Ordinal Classification, Steven Whitaker, Andrew Barnard, George D. Anderson, Timothy C. Havens Jun 2022

Through-Ice Acoustic Source Tracking Using Vision Transformers With Ordinal Classification, Steven Whitaker, Andrew Barnard, George D. Anderson, Timothy C. Havens

Michigan Tech Publications

Ice environments pose challenges for conventional underwater acoustic localization techniques due to theirmultipath and non-linear nature. In this paper, we compare different deep learning networks, such as Transformers, Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs), Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) networks, and Vision Transformers (ViTs), for passive localization and tracking of single moving, on-ice acoustic sources using two underwater acoustic vector sensors. We incorporate ordinal classification as a localization approach and compare the results with other standard methods. We conduct experiments passively recording the acoustic signature of an anthropogenic source on the ice and analyze these data. The results demonstrate that Vision Transformers are …


Mobile-Polypnet: Lightweight Colon Polyp Segmentation Network For Low-Resource Settings, Ranit Karmakar, Saeid Nooshabadi Jun 2022

Mobile-Polypnet: Lightweight Colon Polyp Segmentation Network For Low-Resource Settings, Ranit Karmakar, Saeid Nooshabadi

Michigan Tech Publications

Colon polyps, small clump of cells on the lining of the colon, can lead to colorectal cancer (CRC), one of the leading types of cancer globally. Hence, early detection of these polyps automatically is crucial in the prevention of CRC. The deep learning models proposed for the detection and segmentation of colorectal polyps are resource-consuming. This paper proposes a lightweight deep learning model for colorectal polyp segmentation that achieved state-of-the-art accuracy while significantly reducing the model size and complexity. The proposed deep learning autoencoder model employs a set of state-of-the-art architectural blocks and optimization objective functions to achieve the desired …


Kernel Matrix-Based Heuristic Multiple Kernel Learning, Stanton R. Price, Derek T. Anderson, Timothy C. Havens, Steven R. Price Jun 2022

Kernel Matrix-Based Heuristic Multiple Kernel Learning, Stanton R. Price, Derek T. Anderson, Timothy C. Havens, Steven R. Price

Michigan Tech Publications

Kernel theory is a demonstrated tool that has made its way into nearly all areas of machine learning. However, a serious limitation of kernel methods is knowing which kernel is needed in practice. Multiple kernel learning (MKL) is an attempt to learn a new tailored kernel through the aggregation of a set of valid known kernels. There are generally three approaches to MKL: fixed rules, heuristics, and optimization. Optimization is the most popular; however, a shortcoming of most optimization approaches is that they are tightly coupled with the underlying objective function and overfitting occurs. Herein, we take a different approach …


Wave-Optics Investigation Of Branch-Point Density, Jeffrey R. Beck, Jeremy Bos, Terry J. Brennan, Mark F. Spencer Apr 2022

Wave-Optics Investigation Of Branch-Point Density, Jeffrey R. Beck, Jeremy Bos, Terry J. Brennan, Mark F. Spencer

Michigan Tech Publications

We use wave-optics simulations to investigate branch-point density (i.e., the number of branch points within the pupil-phase function) in terms of the grid sampling. The goal for these wave-optics simulations is to model plane-wave propagation through homogeneous turbulence, both with and without the effects of a finite inner scale modeled using a Hill spectrum. In practice, the grid sampling provides a gauge for the amount of branch-point resolution within the wave-optics simulations, whereas the Rytov number, Fried coherence diameter, and isoplanatic angle provide parameters to setup and explore the associated deep-turbulence conditions. Via Monte Carlo averaging, the results show that …


Overcoming Supply Disruptions During Pandemics By Utilizing Found Hardware For Open Source Gentle Ventilation, S. Oberloier, N. Gallup, J. M. Pearce Apr 2022

Overcoming Supply Disruptions During Pandemics By Utilizing Found Hardware For Open Source Gentle Ventilation, S. Oberloier, N. Gallup, J. M. Pearce

Michigan Tech Publications

This article details the design of an open source emergency gentle ventilator (gentle-vent) framework that can be used in periods of scarcity. Although it is not a medical device, the system utilizes a wide range of commonly-available components that are combined using basic electronics skills to achieve the desired performance. The main function of the gentle-vent is to generate a calibrated pressure wave at the pump to provide support to the patient's breathing. Each gentle-vent permutation was tested using a DIY manometer as it would be utilized in the field in low-resource settings and validated with an open source VentMon. …


Cascading Verification Initiated By Switching Attacks Through Compromised Digital Relays, Koji Yamashita, Zhiyuan Yang, Chee Wooi Ten, Soummya Kar, Andrew Ginter Mar 2022

Cascading Verification Initiated By Switching Attacks Through Compromised Digital Relays, Koji Yamashita, Zhiyuan Yang, Chee Wooi Ten, Soummya Kar, Andrew Ginter

Michigan Tech Publications

Attackers are able to enumerate all devices and computers within a compromised substation network. Digital relays deployed in the substation are the devices with IP addresses that can be discovered in the process of trial-and-error search. This paper is concerned with studies of cyberattacks manipulating digital relays to disruptively disconnect the associated breakers. The plausible enumeration of such disruptive attack for each relay in a substation is verified with the dynamic simulation studies with the special protection system for frequency, voltage, and rotor angle stability. A pertinent approach with smaller scale contingency analysis results is proposed to reduce the enormous …


Performance Prediction Of Underwater Acoustic Communications Based On Channel Impulse Responses, Evan Lucas, Zhaohui Wang Jan 2022

Performance Prediction Of Underwater Acoustic Communications Based On Channel Impulse Responses, Evan Lucas, Zhaohui Wang

Michigan Tech Publications

Featured Application: Convolutional neural networks are used on the channel impulse response data to predict the performance of underwater acoustic communications. Abstract: Predicting the channel quality for an underwater acoustic communication link is not a straightforward task. Previous approaches have focused on either physical observations of weather or engineered signal features, some of which require substantial processing to obtain. This work applies a convolutional neural network to the channel impulse responses, allowing the network to learn the features that are useful in predicting the channel quality. Results obtained are comparable or better than conventional supervised learning models, depending on the …


Decarbonizing Rural Residential Buildings In Cold Climates: A Techno-Economic Analysis Of Heating Electrification, Filippo Padovani, Nelson Sommerfeldt, Francesca Longobardi, Joshua M. Pearce Nov 2021

Decarbonizing Rural Residential Buildings In Cold Climates: A Techno-Economic Analysis Of Heating Electrification, Filippo Padovani, Nelson Sommerfeldt, Francesca Longobardi, Joshua M. Pearce

Michigan Tech Publications

Given the need for decarbonization of the heating sector and the acute need of a propane replacement in the U.S. Upper Midwest, this study quantifies the techno-economic characteristics of sustainable heating electrification in isolated rural, residential buildings in cold climates without natural gas supply. Archetypal buildings are modeled under four levels of electrification. At each electrification level, a parametric solar photovoltaic (PV) sizing analysis is performed and the total life cycle cost, renewable fraction and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are calculated based on the primary energy supply for each building type. Cost optimal solutions are stress-tested with multi-dimensional sensitivity analyses. …


Sliding Mode Control Of A Nonlinear Wave Energy Converter Model, Tania Demonte Gonzalez, Gordon Parker, Enrico Anderlini, Wayne Weaver Sep 2021

Sliding Mode Control Of A Nonlinear Wave Energy Converter Model, Tania Demonte Gonzalez, Gordon Parker, Enrico Anderlini, Wayne Weaver

Michigan Tech Publications

The most accurate wave energy converter models for heaving point absorbers include nonlinearities, which increase as resonance is achieved to maximize the energy capture. Over the power production spectrum and within the physical limits of the devices, the efficiency of wave energy converters can be enhanced by employing a control scheme that accounts for these nonlinearities. This paper proposes a sliding mode control for a heaving point absorber that includes the nonlinear effects of the dynamic and static Froude‐Krylov forces. The sliding mode controller tracks a reference velocity that matches the phase of the excitation force to ensure higher energy …


Progressive Poling Of Large Area, High R33 Electro-Optic Polymer Seo100c, Michael Maurer, Evan Gawron, Christopher Middlebrook Sep 2021

Progressive Poling Of Large Area, High R33 Electro-Optic Polymer Seo100c, Michael Maurer, Evan Gawron, Christopher Middlebrook

Michigan Tech Publications

SEO100c, an EO-polymer, has been reported of having an r33 in excess of 100 pm/V. Experimental poling research was performed on rib waveguide modulator for device design and development. Reported is the determination of the impact that temperature and voltage have on the poling of a SEO100c waveguide device in order to maximize the r33 while avoiding damage to the device structure ensuring high yield in manufacture. The poling process is shown to have a nonlinear relationship between r33 and poling field aiding in the selection of achievable poling voltages for required r33 values. Device thermal stability is quantified and …


Open Source Vacuum Oven Design For Low-Temperature Drying: Performance Evaluation For Recycled Pet And Biomass, Benjamin R. Hubbard, Lindsay I. Putman, Stephen Techtmann, Joshua M. Pearce May 2021

Open Source Vacuum Oven Design For Low-Temperature Drying: Performance Evaluation For Recycled Pet And Biomass, Benjamin R. Hubbard, Lindsay I. Putman, Stephen Techtmann, Joshua M. Pearce

Michigan Tech Publications

Vacuum drying can dehydrate materials further than dry heat methods, while protecting sensitive materials from thermal degradation. Many industries have shifted to vacuum drying as cost-or time-saving measures. Small-scale vacuum drying, however, has been limited by the high costs of specialty scientific tools. To make vacuum drying more accessible, this study provides design and performance information for a small-scale open source vacuum oven, which can be fabricated from off-the-shelf and 3-D printed components. The oven is tested for drying speed and effectiveness on both waste plastic polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and a consortium of bacteria developed for bioprocessing of terephthalate wastes …


U.S. Potential Of Sustainable Backyard Distributed Animal And Plant Protein Production During And After Pandemics, Theresa K. Meyer, Alexis Pascaris, David Denkenberger, Joshua M. Pearce Apr 2021

U.S. Potential Of Sustainable Backyard Distributed Animal And Plant Protein Production During And After Pandemics, Theresa K. Meyer, Alexis Pascaris, David Denkenberger, Joshua M. Pearce

Michigan Tech Publications

To safeguard against meat supply shortages during pandemics or other catastrophes, this study analyzed the potential to provide the average household’s entire protein consumption using either soybean production or distributed meat production at the household level in the U.S. with: (1) pasture-fed rabbits, (2) pellet and hay-fed rabbits, or (3) pellet-fed chickens. Only using the average backyard resources, soybean cultivation can provide 80-160% of household protein and 0- 50% of a household’s protein needs can be provided by pasture-fed rabbits using only the yard grass as feed. If external supplementation of feed is available, raising 52 chickens while also harvesting …


Open Source 3d-Printable Planetary Roller Screw For Food Processing Applications, Marcello C. Guadagno, Jacob M. Loss, Joshua M. Pearce Apr 2021

Open Source 3d-Printable Planetary Roller Screw For Food Processing Applications, Marcello C. Guadagno, Jacob M. Loss, Joshua M. Pearce

Michigan Tech Publications

Historically, open source agriculture (OSA) was based on grassroots technology generally manufactured by hand tools or with manual machining. The rise of distributed digital manufacturing provides an opportunity for much more rapid lateral scaling of open source appropriate technologies for agriculture. However, the most mature distributed manufacturing area is plastic, which has limited use for many OSA applications. To overcome this limitation with design, this study reports on of a completely 3D-printable planetary roller screw linear actuator. The device is designed as a parametric script-based computer aided design (CAD) package to allow for the easy adaption for a number of …


Authors From All Over The World Share Their Tech In Hardwarex To Battle Covid-19, Joshua M. Pearce Apr 2021

Authors From All Over The World Share Their Tech In Hardwarex To Battle Covid-19, Joshua M. Pearce

Michigan Tech Publications

No abstract provided.


Economics Of Grid-Tied Solar Photovoltaic Systems Coupled To Heat Pumps: The Case Of Northern Climates Of The U.S. And Canada, Joshua M. Pearce, Nelson Sommerfeldt Feb 2021

Economics Of Grid-Tied Solar Photovoltaic Systems Coupled To Heat Pumps: The Case Of Northern Climates Of The U.S. And Canada, Joshua M. Pearce, Nelson Sommerfeldt

Michigan Tech Publications

Solar photovoltaic (PV) technology is now a profitable method to decarbonize the grid, but if catastrophic climate change is to be avoided, emissions from transportation and heating must also decarbonize. One approach to renewable heating is leveraging improvements in PV with heat pumps (HPs). To determine the potential for PV+HP systems in northern areas of North America, this study performs numerical simulations and economic analysis using the same loads and climate, but with local electricity and natural gas rates for Sault Ste. Marie, in both Canada and U.S. Ground-mounted, fixed-tilt, grid-tied PV systems are sized to match 100% of electric …


The Economics Of Classroom 3-D Printing Of Open-Source Digital Designs Of Learning Aids, Nicole Gallup, Joshua M. Pearce Nov 2020

The Economics Of Classroom 3-D Printing Of Open-Source Digital Designs Of Learning Aids, Nicole Gallup, Joshua M. Pearce

Michigan Tech Publications

While schools struggle financially, capital for purchasing physical learning aids is often cut. To determine if costs could be reduced for learning aids, this study analyzed classroom-based distributed digital manufacturing using 3-D printing of open-source learning aid designs. Learning aid designs are analyzed in detail for their economic viability considering printing and assembly costs with purchased components and compared to equivalent or inferior commercial products available on Amazon. The results show current open-source 3-D printers are capable of manufacturing useful learning aids and that doing so provides high economic savings in the classroom. Overall, the average learning aid would save …


Water Conservation Potential Of Self-Funded Foam-Based Flexible Surface-Mounted Floatovoltaics, Kaomi Soulemane Hayibo, Pierce Mayville, Ravneet Kaur Kailey Nov 2020

Water Conservation Potential Of Self-Funded Foam-Based Flexible Surface-Mounted Floatovoltaics, Kaomi Soulemane Hayibo, Pierce Mayville, Ravneet Kaur Kailey

Michigan Tech Publications

A potential solution to the coupled water–energy–food challenges in land use is the concept of floating photovoltaics or floatovoltaics (FPV). In this study, a new approach to FPV is investigated using a flexible crystalline silicon-based photovoltaic (PV) module backed with foam, which is less expensive than conventional pontoon-based FPV. This novel form of FPV is tested experimentally for operating temperature and performance and is analyzed for water-savings using an evaporation calculation adapted from the Penman–Monteith model. The results show that the foam-backed FPV had a lower operating temperature than conventional pontoon-based FPV, and thus a 3.5% higher energy output per …


A First Investigation Of Agriculture Sector Perspectives On The Opportunities And Barriers For Agrivoltaics, Alexis Pascaris, Chelsea Schelly, Joshua M. Pearce Nov 2020

A First Investigation Of Agriculture Sector Perspectives On The Opportunities And Barriers For Agrivoltaics, Alexis Pascaris, Chelsea Schelly, Joshua M. Pearce

Michigan Tech Publications

Agrivoltaic systems are a strategic and innovative approach to combine solar photovoltaic (PV)-based renewable energy generation with agricultural production. Recognizing the fundamental importance of farmer adoption in the successful diffusion of the agrivoltaic innovation, this study investigates agriculture sector experts’ perceptions on the opportunities and barriers to dual land-use systems. Using in-depth, semistructured interviews, this study conducts a first study to identify challenges to farmer adoption of agrivoltaics and address them by responding to societal concerns. Results indicate that participants see potential benefits for themselves in combined solar and agriculture technology. The identified barriers to adoption of agrivoltaics, however, include: …


Equivalent Consumption Minimization Strategy With Consideration Of Battery Aging For Parallel Hybrid Electric Vehicles, Bin Zhou, Jeffrey Burl, Amir Rezaei Nov 2020

Equivalent Consumption Minimization Strategy With Consideration Of Battery Aging For Parallel Hybrid Electric Vehicles, Bin Zhou, Jeffrey Burl, Amir Rezaei

Michigan Tech Publications

The equivalent consumption minimization strategy (ECMS) is a well-known energy management strategy for Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEV). ECMS is very computationally efficient since it yields an instantaneous optimal control. ECMS has been shown to minimize fuel consumption under certain conditions. But, minimizing the fuel consumption often leads to excessive battery damage. This paper introduces a new optimal control problem where the cost function includes terms for both fuel consumption and battery aging. The Ah-throughput method is used to quantify battery aging. ECMS (with the appropriate equivalence factor) is shown to also minimize the cost function that incorporates battery aging. Simulation …