Engineering Commons^™

Removable Equipment Climate Canopy, Jessica Perez, Sabine Heid, Zil Panchal, Anali Salazar

Mechanical Engineering

The Climate Canopy Project has developed an improved solution for creating an adjustable shade mechanism tailored specifically for users of pull walkers. Through extensive research, goal setting, and a comprehensive framework our project has examined the challenges faced by individuals who rely on walkers for mobility. Our stakeholder requires a product that is lightweight, removable, and compact. This study dissected the designs of previous products on the market and aimed to build a product that aligns with our sponsor’s desires.

This report presents the main goals for the design and manufacturing process, along with key design features utilized to produce …

Design Of A Launchable Remote-Controlled Rover And Protective Aeroshell, Matthew Loewer, Colby Weeks, Lake Williams, Jackson Zazzaro

Senior Theses

Planetary rovers, vehicles that can traverse challenging terrain, have excelled in their exploration missions to other celestial bodies. They have been especially suitable for exploring Mars, as rovers such as Opportunity and Perseverance have collected valuable geological, atmospheric, seismic, and magnetic information from the Martian surface. Rovers will remain vital in future space exploration missions, and it is necessary to understand their design and functionality. This paper focuses on the design and prototyping of a miniature rover that can survive the rough Martian terrain while collecting and submitting environmental data for scientific analysis. The design is based off proven Martian …

A Study Of The Effect Of Preparation Parameters On The Mechanical Properties Of Freeze-Dried Gelatin-Elastin-Hyaluronate Scaffolds, Mansour Qamash

Master's Theses (2009 -)

This thesis is dedicated to a detailed study of changes in the properties of Gelatin-Elastin-Hyaluronate (GEH) tissue engineering scaffold resulting from changes in preparation parameters. More specifically, utilizing a combination of foaming and freeze-drying techniques, this research investigates the effects of different parameters, including agitation speed, duration time, and chilling temperature on the scaffold’s structural integrity, porosity, and mechanical properties. The methodology involves a carefully calibrated process in which the scaffold matrix is initially prepared by incorporating 8% gelatin, 2% elastin, and 0.5% hyaluronate (w/v) into a homogenous aqueous solution, followed by controlled agitation and subsequent freezing at designated temperatures. …

Benchmarking Of A Sco2 Heat Exchanger Flow Loop, David Velasco

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

Heat transfer of supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO2) was studied experimentally by commissioning a sCO2 flow loop featuring a horizontal tube-in-tube counterflow heat exchanger with a circular cross section. The main objective was to establish experimental heat transfer research capabilities for sCO2 at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s (ERAU) Thermal Science Lab. sCO2 experiences a drastic change in thermophysical properties near its critical point that results in unique heat transfer characteristics. The high pressures at which sCO2 exists make the large gradients in thermophysical and transport properties difficult to study, experimentally and numerically. However, understanding the heat transfer characteristics and thermophysical behavior of …

Development Of On-The-Fly Quasi-Steady State Approximation For Chemical Kinetics In Cfd, Abhinav Balamurugan

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

This study analyzes the feasibility of On-The-Fly Quasi-Steady-State Approximation (OTF-QSSA) application for solving chemical kinetics within Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations, aiming to reduce the computational demand of detailed mechanisms. An algorithm that dynamically identifies and designates Quasi-Steady-State (QSS) species at specific grid locations and instances during the simulation was developed. With this information, our method pseudo-delays the advancement of concentrations for these QSS species—effectively setting their rate of concentration change to zero for a set number iteration before updating using the detailed mechanism and thereby omitting the computationally intensive processes typically required for their calculation during those skipped iteration. …

Obliquely Impinging Jet Heat Transfer Fields: Effects Of Mach Number On Nozzle-To-Plate Distance, Thinnesh Ragupathy

Masters Theses

This study investigates the consistent features of heat flux patterns on surfaces impacted by jets at various Mach numbers, ranging from 0.1 to 1.0. It utilizes temperature-sensitive paint (TSP) analysis to examine how these patterns change. The research also explores the presence of self-similarity in both the fluctuation of heat flux and skin friction patterns, which are derived from temperature and heat flux data. A semi-empirical model is proposed to explain this self-similarity, suggesting that Mach number primarily affects heat flux patterns through the recovery temperature at the impact site.

Understanding the self-similarity of heat flux patterns across different Mach …

Segregation And Heat Treatment Response Of Cast Quench And Partition Steels, Mujeeb Hussain Shaik

Masters Theses

Quench and partition (Q&P) steels have emerged as promising alternatives to traditional quenching and tempering methods, offering a superior balance of strength and ductility due to their unique microstructure of martensite, and retained austenite. This literature review examines the development and optimization of Q&P steels, focusing on their mechanical properties, heat treatment processes, and applications in various industries. This study explores the application and effectiveness of the Quench and Partition (Q&P) heat treatment process on cast steels and examines segregation phenomena in cast medium Mn steels. Medium Mn steels were employed for various Q&P cycles on cast specimens to investigate …

Design And Simulation Of Flow Channel Of Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell (Pemfc), Rishya Shringhan Ravichandran

Masters Theses

In Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC), flow channel plays an important role on the performance of the cell. This study mainly focuses on the simulation of flow channel under various conditions. A three-dimensional mode of PEMFC with 25cm² of active area was employed to simulate the flow channel of PEMFC which has various designs. The flow channel designs such as single serpentine, bi-serpentine and tri-serpentine channels were investigated using ANSYS FLUENT software. Initially, the flow channel width of 2mm was examined. The obtained results were compared to the experimental data to validate the model. Then, the dimension of …

Application Of The Fokker-Planck Equation For Quantifying Initial Condition Uncertainty Of Reversible Dynamic Systems, Troy S. Newhart

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Characterizing the behavior of dynamic systems requires the inclusion of initial conditions to propagate behavior forward in time. More realistic representations of system behavior quantify uncertainty about the initial conditions to assess sensitivity, reliability, and other stochastic response parameters. In many engineering applications, the uncertain initial conditions may be unknown given a desired response. This research applies the Fokker-Planck equation to reversible dynamic systems of select multi-dimensional nonlinear differential equations as a means for predicting the uncertainty about initial conditions. An alternating directions implicit numerical scheme is used to numerically solve the Fokker-Planck equation for both forward and reversed equations …

Thermo-Elasto-Plastic Stability Of Biaxially Loaded Hollow Rectangular Section Steel Beam-Columns With Applied Torsion, George Adomako Kumi

Civil & Environmental Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Presented herein is an experimental and theoretical study of biaxially loaded hollow rectangular section steel beam-columns with applied torsion at elevated temperatures. The theoretical analysis is based on a system of simultaneous materially nonlinear differential equations of equilibrium for which an iterative semi-analytic solution approach is formulated. Although the primary goal of this research is to study the influence of elevated temperatures on the steel member with the complex loading, rigorous analysis is also conducted of the member at ambient temperature for comparison. The experimental part of the study involves conducting tests on the members at both ambient and high …

Structural Characterization Of A Tritruss Module, Lauren M. Simmons

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

The TriTruss is a novel structural module developed by researchers at NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC) that can be used in space to assemble large support structures for a variety of applications. One such application is the metering truss or primary mirror backbone support structure of an In-Space Assembled Telescope (iSAT). For the iSAT application, the TriTruss will be supporting mirror segments, payloads, and instruments, all of which require the TriTruss to have a high stiffness. Structural characterization from testing and analysis is needed to ensure the integrity of the struts that make up a TriTruss module is maintained when …

Under Pressure: The Soft Robotic Clap-And-Fling Of Cuvierina Atlantica, Daniel Mead

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Evolution over billions of years has led to unique animals of all types. The tiny sea butterfly is one that remains mostly anonymous because of its size and low place on the food chain, but it is a swimming creature that when examined closely reveals a surprise. Shockingly, it has a swimming motion nearly identical to small insects flying at intermediate Reynolds numbers, referred to as the clap-and-fling. The centimeter long pteropod flapping briskly at 5Hz escapes attention with its size and speed. Modeling the clap-and-fling motion of the sea butterfly at a larger scale allows the benefits and uniqueness …

Comparison Of Conventional And Adaptive Acoustic Beamforming Algorithms Using A Tetrahedral Microphone Array In Noisy Environments, Megan Brittany Ewers

Dissertations and Theses

In situ acoustic measurements are often plagued by interfering sound sources that occur within the measurement environment. Both adaptive and conventional beamforming algorithms, when applied to the outputs of a microphone array arranged in a tetrahedral geometry, are able to capture sound sources in desired directions and reject sound from unwanted directions. Adaptive algorithms may be able to measure a desired sound source with greater spatial precision, but require more calculations and, therefore, computational power. A conventional frequency-domain phase-shift algorithm and a modified adaptive frequency-domain Minimum Variance Distortionless Response (MVDR) algorithm were applied to simulated and recorded signals from a …

Atomistic Insights Into The Mechanisms Of Ultrasonic Bonding, Milad Khajehvand

Engineering Ph.D. Theses

This thesis research uses a combination of computational and experimental approaches to provide atomistic insights into the mechanisms of ultrasonic bonding (UB), a family of solid-state metal-metal joining techniques, including ultrasonic wire bonding, ultrasonic flip-chip bonding, ultrasonic additive manufacturing, and ultrasonic spot welding. The work investigates the atomic-scale contact formation (i.e., the so-called Jump-to-Contact (JC) mechanism) between the UB counterparts, generation of a network of dislocations (i.e., one-dimensional crystallographic defects) at their interface, and the evolution of the network when the interface is under ultrasonic vibration. In particular, the thesis delivers invaluable insights on the mechanisms for contact formation, bond …

Efficacy Of Passive Ventilation With High Exhaust Demands: A Case Study Of Cal Poly Sst, Siddarth Bokka

Construction Management

The Simpson Strong Tie Demonstration Laboratory serves as a multipurpose space allowing students at the College of Architecture and Environmental Design at California Polytechnic State University to build full scale construction projects. The building features a material storage area, a high bay for construction of full-scale projects, and a mezzanine level that houses digital fabrication equipment. However, the building was never designed to house the specific equipment currently installed on the mezzanine and ventilate the exhaust fumes from them. Rather, the building relies on passive natural ventilation that is likely ineffective at properly exhausting hazardous fumes, resulting in complaints from …

Finite Element Analysis Of Thermal-Mechanical Instabilities In Nonmetallic Friction Composite Material, Joseph-Shaahu Shaahu

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Thermal-mechanical instability (TMI) has been a research topic of interest as it focuses a lot on transportation systems. Thermal-mechanical instability was first noticed in railway and experimentally studied with a pin-to-pin or pin-to-surface setup of sliding contact. The topic has been extended into brakes and clutches which are two of the most common sliding systems most susceptible to thermal buckling and thermoelastic instability (TEI), where thermal buckling and thermoelastic instability are two sub-categories of thermal-mechanical instability. Thermal-mechanical instability is an ongoing research to better understand the phenomenon and the limits at which such instability occurs. This work delved into the …

Exhaust Manifold Pressure As Engine Tuning Parameter, Kieran Truth Cunningham, Adam Sullivan Mathews, Connor Richard Smullen

Mechanical Engineering

In this project, the exhaust manifold absolute pressure (EMAP) of a 1986 Toyota Corolla was analyzed across a variety of load cases and was compared with the mass air flow (MAF) of the intake, simultaneously. Correlations were found in the trends of EMAP and MAF sensor readings that may prove helpful in tuning engines that have difficulty in accommodating a MAF sensor. These correlations were found in areas of the powerband where aftermarket tuned engines typically have poor airflow sensing. An equation was developed to spoof MAF input using EMAP and other engine operating parameters.

Pitot Tube Test Bench, Jesus Perez, Zachary Owen, Adrian Lopez

Mechanical Engineering

This Final Design Review documents the senior design project carried out by a team of Mechanical Engineering students attending California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo for Roger Benham, and his company Leak Control Services Inc. The requirement was to design, build, and validate the performance of a test fixture that quantifies the performance characteristics of flow rate and pressure drop of different pitot tube designs to be used in a chemical dispensing application for Mr. Benham. This document includes relevant background research on the need for the fixture as well as relevant technical research. This document also contains objectives …

Asme Electric-Human Powered Vehicle (Ehpv) Project, George Bernat, Roman Bradley, Casey Pickett, Paul Mansfield

Mechanical Engineering

This report documents the collaborative efforts of the senior design team and the Cal Poly Human Powered Vehicles Club in creating an electric-assisted human powered vehicle tailored for participation in ASME's e-HPV Spring 2024 competition. Delving into a comprehensive account of the project's lifecycle, the report outlines the iterative stages of ideation and design, the manufacturing processes, testing , and subsequent refinements undertaken by the team. Additionally, it provides analysis of the project management strategies employed, as well as an overall appraisal of successes, setbacks, and areas improvement. As a result of the project, the vehicle (shown below) was successfully …

Quantum-Powered Battery Scheduling In Modern Distribution Grids, Diba Ehsani

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The rising need for exploiting a novel and evolved computation is an increasing concern in the power distribution system to address the exponential growth of distribution-connected devices. Scheduling numerous battery energy storage systems in an optimal way is one of the emerging challenges that will be more noticeable as the number of batteries, including residential, community, and vehicle batteries, increases in the grid. This thesis focuses on this topic and offers a necessary component in building the quantum-compatible distribution system of the future. Using a constrained quadratic model (CQM) on D-Wave’s hybrid solver as well as a binary quadratic model …

Finite Element Analysis Of The Bearing Component Of Total Ankle Replacement Implants During The Stance Phase Of Gait, Timothy S. Jain

Master's Theses

Total ankle replacement (TAR) implants are an effective option to restore the range of motion of the ankle joint for arthritic patients. An effective tool for analyzing these implants’ mechanical performance and longevity in-silico is finite element analysis (FEA). ABAQUS FEA was used to statically analyze the von Mises stress and contact pressure on the articulating surface of the bearing component in two newly installed fixed-bearing total ankle replacement implants (the Wright Medical INBONE II and the Exactech Vantage). This bearing component rotates on the talar component to induce primary ankle joint motion of plantarflexion and dorsiflexion. The stress response …

A Study On High-Frequency Bending Fatigue, Microhardness, Tensile Strength, And Microstructure Of Parts Made Using Atomic Diffusion Additive Manufacturing (Adam) And Additive Friction Stir Deposition (Afsd), Hamed Ghadimi

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

This dissertation reports the findings of several studies on the mechanical and microstructural properties of parts made using atomic diffusion additive manufacturing (ADAM) and additive friction stir deposition (AFSD). The design of a small-sized bending-fatigue test specimen for an ultrasonic fatigue testing system is reported in Chapter 1. The design was optimized based on the finite element analysis and analytical solution. The stress–life (S–N) curve is obtained for Inconel alloy 718. Chapter 2 presents the findings of ultrasonic bending-fatigue and tensile tests carried out on the ADAM test specimens. The S-N curves were created in the very high-cycle fatigue regime. …

Steminism: Analyzing Factors That Improve Retention Of Women In Stem, Kira Carter, Jane Kelley, Jason Vasser-Elong, Rc Patterson

Dissertations

Our co-authored research ‘Steminism: Analyzing Factors That Improve Retention for Women as STEM Majors’ analyzed factors that contributed to the retention of women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) programs at Missouri University of Science & Technology (Missouri S&T). Women make up half of the US population, and while careers in (STEM) are an integral part of the US economy, women are underrepresented in these career fields. The purpose of our dissertation is to address the underrepresentation of women in STEM majors. Our methodology included homogeneous sampling to collect qualitative data. More specifically, we consulted with academic advisors and …

Modeling Thermosyphon And Heat Pipe Performance For Mold Cooling Applications, Dwaipayan Sarkar

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Thermosyphons are enhanced heat transfer devices that can continuously transfer very large amounts of heat rapidly over long distances with small temperature differences. The high heat transfer rate is achieved through simultaneous boiling and condensation of the working fluid and the continuous heat transfer is achieved through recirculation of the working fluid in its liquid and vapor phase. A potentially important application of the thermosyphons has been towards reducing the cycle times of the mold cooling processes which would provide economic incentives to the automotive industry.

Different operational and geometrical parameters such as the input heating power, fill ratio (FR), …

Analyses For Assessing The Centreline Translation, Asymmetrical Wind-Field, And Velocity Fluctuations Of Tornado Vortices, Niall C. Bannigan

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Tornadoes present an ever-increasing threat to communities worldwide, especially those with geographic conditions that place them in the path of several tornadoes annually. These conditions are likely to be exacerbated by ongoing trends in the climate. As such, it is necessary to move towards experimental and numerical tornado-like vortex studies that allow for more advanced simulation methods. Novel techniques for tracking and analysing tornado vortices simulated at high spatial and temporal resolution are presented herein. Significant wandering of the tornado's position and large peaks in the velocity field can be captured, demonstrating tangential gusting at more than 1.5 times the …

Containerization Of Seafarers In The International Shipping Industry: Contemporary Seamanship, Maritime Social Infrastructures, And Mobility Politics Of Global Logistics, Liang Wu

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

This dissertation discusses the mobility politics of container shipping and argues that technological development, political-economic order, and social infrastructure co-produce one another. Containerization, the use of standardized containers to carry cargo across modes of transportation that is said to have revolutionized and globalized international trade since the late 1950s, has served to expand and extend the power of international coalitions of states and corporations to control the movements of commodities (shipments) and labor (seafarers). The advent and development of containerization was driven by a sociotechnical imaginary and international social contract of seamless shipping and cargo flows. In practice, this liberal, …

Cfd Analysis Of Multi-Stage Phase Change Material For Latent Thermal Energy Storage In Solar Power Plants, Ahmad Wahbi Omari

Theses

The integration of latent thermal energy storage into concentrated solar power plants represents a promising solution for efficiently harnessing excessive solar energy during daylight hours and subsequently utilizing it during the nighttime when solar energy generation is limited or non-existent, all while catering to consistent energy demands. The core objective of enhancing latent thermal energy storage revolves around elevating its thermal capacity and minimizing the melting time, thus making it a more effective energy storage solution. This is achieved by employing three distinct organic phase change materials: Octadecanoic (PCM1), RT58 (PCM2) and Dodecanoic (PCM3), each characterized by variations in their …

Development Of An Electromagnetic System For Wireless Magnetic Manipulation Of Soft Capsule Endoscope For Drug Delivery Applications, Nada Ashraf Hussein Mahmoud

Theses and Dissertations

Wireless capsule endoscopy (WCE) is a remarkable diagnostic device that examines the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The WCE is a small capsule integrated with a camera that is used to visualize the inner mucosa of the GI tract. WCE has been proven to be the most effective method to diagnose GI diseases and GI cancers. The procedure reduces the discomfort and risk compared to conventional endoscopy methods. However, current WCEs lack the ability to take a biopsy or deliver a drug to a specific location. Those therapeutic functions can be introduced by wirelessly controlled WCEs. This thesis introduces an electromagnetic system …

A Rigid Body Framework For Modeling And Simulation Of Formation Of Autonomous Agents, Suguru Sato

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Theses

Formation motion, wherein multiple agents operate within close proximity while maintaining precise relative positions and coordinated movements has a significant impact in the realm of Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS). Formation establishment, and station-keeping have been critical research areas as several missions can be conceived, and accomplished by groups of “simple” autonomous agents. Advances in this research have led to multiple advantages in areas such as reconnaissance, aerospace exploration, map building, search and rescue, etc. particularly, if the formation motion is inspired by nature and natural phenomena such as flock of birds, school of fish, hydrodynamics (smooth streamlines), magnetic fields, and …

Experimental Study On Thermal Performance Of Metal Foam Heat Sinks In Single Phase Liquid Immersion Cooling, Manish Kumawat

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Theses

In 1965, Intel co-founder Gordon Moore made the observation that the transistor counts on a chip double with a frequency of approximately every two years. This development resulted in more compact and potent ICs. However, the amount of heat produced on a chip increased proportionally with the number of transistors. Later, in the early 2000s, Dennard Scaling broke down. Transistors became so small that leakage currents (unwanted currents that flow within the transistor) emerged as a significant issue, and they contributed substantially to power consumption and heat generation. These tightly packed transistors produced heat, which decreased their performance and shortened …