Engineering Commons^™

Stationary And Non-Stationary Time Series Prediction Using State Space Model And Pattern-Based Approach, Kin Ming Kam

Industrial, Manufacturing, and Systems Engineering Dissertations - Archive

The motion-adaptive radiotherapy techniques are promising to deliver ablative radiation doses to tumor with minimal normal tissue exposure by accounting for real-time tumor movement. However, a major challenge of successful applications of these techniques is the real-time prediction of target motion to accommodate system delivery latencies. Predicting respiratory motion in real-time is challenging. The current respiratory mo-tion prediction approaches are still not satisfactory in terms of accuracy and interpretability due to the com-plexity of breathing patterns and the many sources of variability across patients. In this paper, we propose a novel respiratory motion prediction approach based on future values of …

Response Of Free-Living Nitrogen-Fixing Microorganisms To Land Use Change In The Amazon Rainforest, Babur S. Mirza, C. Potisap, K. Nusslein, B. Bohannan, J. L.M. Rodrigues

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

The Amazon rainforest, the largest equatorial forest in the world, is being cleared for pasture and agricultural use at alarming rates. Tropical deforestation is known to cause alterations in microbial communities at taxonomic and phylogenetic levels, but it is unclear whether microbial functional groups are altered. We asked whether free-living nitrogen-fixing microorganisms (diazotrophs) respond to deforestation in the Amazon rainforest, using analysis of the marker gene nifH. Clone libraries were generated from soil samples collected from a primary forest, a 5-year-old pasture originally converted from primary forest, and a secondary forest established after pasture abandonment. Although diazotroph richness did not …

The Impact Of Slit And Detention Dams On Debris Flow Control Using Gstars 3.0, Leila Hassan-Esfahani, Mohammad Ebrahim Banihabib

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

Sedimentation, Modeling, GSTARS3.0, Debris flow, Slit dam, Detention dam

Evaluation Of Physico-Mechanical Properties Of Clayey Soils Using Electrical Resistivity Imaging Technique, Golam Kibria

Civil Engineering Dissertations - Archive

Resistivity imaging (RI) is a promising approach to obtaining continuous profile of soil subsurface. This method offers simple technique to identify moisture variation and heterogeneity of the investigated area. However, at present, only qualitative information of subsurface can be obtained using RI. A study on the quantification of geotechnical properties has become important for rigorous use of this method in the evaluation of geohazard potential and construction quality control of landfill liner system. Several studies have been performed to describe electrical resistivity of soil as a function of pore fluid conductivity and surface conductance. However, characterization tests on pore water …

Beluga Whale Vocalizations, Michael T. Johnson

Dr. Dolittle Project: A Framework for Classification and Understanding of Animal Vocalizations

Sound files:

A Chirp; A Whistle ; B Chirp; B Whistle: Buzz; C Whistle; CH6 A Chirp; D Whistle; Down Warble; Down Whistle; E Whistle; Voca

Sensible Heat Balance And Heat-Pulse Method Applicability To In Situ Soil-Water Evaporation, Andrew C. Trautz, Kathleen M. Smits, Paul Schulte, Tissa H. Illangasekare

Civil Engineering Faculty Publications - Archive

A combined heat-pulse and sensible heat balance method can be used to determine evaporation using temperature measurements and thermal property estimations. The objective of this study was to investigate the applicability of the combined heat-pulse and sensible heat balance method by comparing laboratory experimental data to both an analytical and a multiphase heat and mass transfer model. A bench-scale laboratory experiment was performed to measure soil thermal and hydraulic properties at fine spatial and temporal resolutions. Comparisons of experimental and numerical results confirmed the applicability of the heat-pulse and sensible heat balance methods to determine evaporation rates. Results showed close …

African Elephant Vocalizations, Michael T. Johnson

Dr. Dolittle Project: A Framework for Classification and Understanding of Animal Vocalizations

Sound files:

Croak ; Rumble ; Rev ; Snort ; Trumpet

Au-Based Core-Shell Nanoparticles For Direct Formic Acid Fuel Cells, Chiajen Hsu

Material Science and Engineering Dissertations - Archive

Unique Au/Pd core-shell nanoparticles were synthesized via galvanic replacement of Cu by Pd on hollow Au nanoparticles. Au/PtCu core-shell nanoparticles were also synthesized using this method. These core-shell nanoparticles exhibited unique electrochemical properties - the Au/Pd nanoparticles demonstrated superior electrochemical activity for formic acid oxidation and the Au/PtCu nanoparticles improved the kinetics in oxygen reduction reaction, when compared to their corresponding pure metal particles. In this dissertation, we aim at investigating catalytic abilities of these core-shell nanoparticles and understanding electrochemical reactions in direct formic acid fuel cells.Different Pd thicknesses on hollow Au nanoparticles in the core-shell configuration have been investigated. …

Grain Structure Evolution Of Tin-Based Lead-Free Solder Joints In Electronic Packaging Assembly And Its Impact On The Fatigue Reliability, Huili Xu

Material Science and Engineering Dissertations - Archive

Solder is one of the main joints materials used in the electronics for decades of years. It is not only the mechanical support but also conducts the electric signals in the electronics. However, the regulation of lead content in electronic devices has driven the transition from lead-tin solder to the lead-free solder that requires lots of research to fill the knowledge gap in the lead-free solder property. At the same time, the reliability issues due to solder failure are of great interest as the miniaturization and mobilization trend of the electronic devices continues. A lot of works have been done …

Bubble Template Synthesis Of Hollow Gold Nanoparticle, Chivarat Muangphat

Material Science and Engineering Dissertations - Archive

Recently, a new synthesis method for creating hollow gold nanoparticles by using electrochemically hydrogen nanobubbles as a template was discovered in our research group. Hollow gold nanoparticles with well-controlled, tunable dimension and morphology can be synthesized using various synthesis conditions. Such hollow gold nanoparticles exhibit unique optical properties that can be tuned by changing the nanoparticle structures. The objective of this study is to understand the formation mechanism of hollow gold nanoparticles synthesized using bubble template synthesis method. The synthesis process can be divided into two main processes: the formation of hydrogen nanobubble and the reduction of gold ions on …

The Effects Of Microstructure On The Mechanical Properties Of Hard Transition Metal Silicon Nitride Nanocomposite Coatings, Jessica Mooney

Material Science and Engineering Dissertations - Archive

In this body of work, the examination of two different transition metal silicon nitride (MeSiN) systems using two different methods of physical vapor deposition (PVD) allowed for the development of a detailed understanding between the processing conditions, the micro-scale and nano-scale morphology, and the mechanical properties of the as-deposited thin film nanocomposite coatings. TiSiN coatings processed using the high-energy Arc deposition technique had hardness values of up to 33.6 GPa, and a previously unidentified (TiSi)N FCC crystalline phase, likely present due to the amounts of energy employed during coating processing, was discovered via intensive low angle X-Ray diffraction (XRD) and …

A Comparison Of Bituminous Coal-Based And Coconut Shell-Based Activated Carbon For Removal Of Trace Hazardous Air Pollutants In Landfill Gas, Annaprabha Athappan, Melanie L. Sattler

Civil Engineering Faculty Publications - Archive

This study explored adsorption as a method of controlling hazardous air pollutant emissions from landfill gas (LFG). In particular, the study compared bituminous coal-based (BPL) and coconut shell-based (OVC) activated carbons as adsorbents for the hazardous landfill gas constituents para-, ortho-, and meta-xylene; ethylbenzene; and methyl ethyl ketone (MEK). Experiments were designed to replicate typical field usage conditions, using ambient temperature and relative humidity values, and testing the carbon as is, without pretreatment to remove moisture. BPL and OVC carbons from Calgon Carbon were tested in vials, with initial headspace concentrations ranging from 2130 to 5020 ppmv (86 to 120 …

Ozone Photochemistry In A Natural Gas Basin During Winter: Simulations Of Results From The 2012 Utah Basin Winter Ozone Study, P. M. Edwards, K. J. Akin, J. Degouw, W P. Dubé, J. Gillman, D. Helmig, J S. Holloway, B. Lener, R. Mclaren, D. D. Parrish, J. Peischl, J. M. Roberts, T. B. Ryerson, Randy S. Martin, C. Warneke, E. J. Williams, C. J. Young, S. S. Brown

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

The Uintah Basin in northeastern Utah, a region of intense oil and gas extraction, experienced ozone (O3) concentrations above levels harmful to human health for multiple days during the winters of 2009–2010 and 2010–2011. These wintertime O3 pollution episodes occur during cold, stable periods when the ground is snow-covered, and have been linked to emissions from the oil and gas extraction process. The Uintah Basin Winter Ozone Study (UBWOS) was a field intensive in early 2012, whose goal was to address current uncertainties in the chemical and physical processes that drive wintertime O3 production in regions of oil and gas …

Measurement Of Emissions From A Passenger Truck Fueled With Biodiesel From Different Feedstocks, Natchanok Pala-En, Melanie L. Sattler, Brian Dennis, Victoria Chen, Rachel L. Muncrief

Civil Engineering Faculty Publications - Archive

Biodiesel has generated increased interest recently as an alternative to petroleum-derived diesel. Due to its high oxygen content, biodiesel typically burns more completely than petroleum diesel, and thus has lower emissions of hydrocarbons (HC), carbon monoxide (CO), and particulate matter (PM). However, biodiesel may increase or decrease nitrogen oxide (NOx) and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, depending on biodiesel feedstock, engine type, and test cycle. The purpose of this study was to compare emissions from 20% blends of biodiesel made from 4 feedstocks (soybean oil, canola oil, waste cooking oil, and animal fat) with emissions from ultra low sulfur diesel (ULSD). …

Statistical Model For Estimating Carbon Dioxide Emissions From A Light-Duty Gasoline Vehicle, Benjamin Nmai Afotey, Melanie L. Sattler, Stephen P. Mattingly, Victoria Chen

Civil Engineering Faculty Publications - Archive

No abstract provided.

Volatile Organic Compound Emissions From Surface Coating Facilities: Characterization Of Facilities, Estimation Of Emission Rates, And Dispersion Modeling Of Off-Site Impacts, Annabrabha Athappan, Sulak Sumitsawan, Roja Haritha Gangupomu, Ketwalee Kositkanawuth, Parthen Parikh, Benjamin Nmai Afotey, Neelesh Sule, Sahithi Raj Kalidindi, Melanie L. Sattler, Yvette Pearson Weatherton

Civil Engineering Faculty Publications - Archive

Surface coating facilities are major sources of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in urban areas. These VOCs can contribute to ground-level ozone formation, and many are hazardous air pollutants (HAPs), including xylene, ethylbenzene, and toluene. This project was conducted in order to provide information for updating the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), USA, permit by rule for Surface Coating Facilities. Project objectives were: 1) To develop a database of information regarding surface coating facilities in Texas; 2) To estimate maximum emission rates for various VOC species from surface coating facilities in Texas; 3) To conduct dispersion modeling to estimate off-site …

Photocatalytic Degradation Of Air Emissions From Municipal Solid Waste Landfills, Mita S. Upadhyay, Melanie L. Sattler

Civil Engineering Faculty Publications - Archive

No abstract provided.

Volatilization Of Trichloroethylene From Trees And Soil: Measurement And Scaling Approaches, William J. Doucette, H. Klein, J. Chard, Ryan Dupont, W. Plaehn, Bruce Bugbee

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

Trichloroethylene (TCE) volatilization from leaves, trunk, and soil was measured to assess the significance of these pathways from phytoremediation sites at Travis and Fairchild Air Force Bases. Measurements were scaled temporally and spatially to estimate the annual volatilization of TCE at the Travis (0.82 ± 0.51 kg/yr) and Fairchild sites (0.014 ± 0.008 kg/yr). Volatilization was primarily through the leaf (0.34 ± 0.16 kg/yr at Travis and 0.01 ± 0.06 kg/yr at Fairchild) and soil (0.48 ± 0.36 kg/yr at Travis, 0.003 ± 0.002 kg/yr at Fairchild) pathways. The larger volatilization estimate at Travis was expected because of the site's …

Optimizing Load Control For A Residential Microgrid In A Collaborative Environment, Majid Ahmadi

Industrial, Manufacturing, and Systems Theses - Archive

This research is aimed to develop an analytical model for a Residential Microgrid under a collaborative environment. In order to maximize profit, Collaborative Consumption (C.C) as a community-based social agreement has been developed in a model to capture consumer behavior, and modeling Residential Microgrids in such environment has been investigated in this research for the first time. This study will introduce a framework for Residential Microgrids using a unique method of demand response based on the particular characteristics of residential loads. Moreover, such a framework enables consumers to participate actively in the supply side of the electricity market. Indeed, consumers …

New Approach For Minimizing Human Errors In Hospital Operating Rooms By Using Rfid Alerting Systems, Hamid S. Ghoraishi

Industrial, Manufacturing, and Systems Theses - Archive

Patient safety is an increasing concern in health care due to the fact the increasing number of medical errors. Most fatal medical errors happen in hospital operating rooms. This research proposes a unique approach that decreases medical errors in hospital operating rooms using an RFID-based technology to alert doctors and nurses when the wrong tool enters to the operating area, via text message.Radio frequency identification (RFID) is a portion of a new growth in the information era where items equipped with chips that can process data automatically will progressively become an essential part of everyday life. RFID permeates through many …

A Sustainability Based Framework To Make A Strategic Outsourcing Decision For Warehouses In The Electronics Industry, Chendur Murugananthan Anand

Industrial, Manufacturing, and Systems Theses - Archive

Over the course of last decades, sustainability matured from an abstract concept to an important source of corporate legitimacy. Supply chain management plays an important role in shaping and framing sustainability, due to the high level of external value added in many industries (Hofmann, Busse, Bode, & Henke, 2013). It is critical to accurately monitor and determine inventory holding costs and its impacts on decision making as it can be a representation of almost half of the overall assets of an organization. The concept of outsourcing stems from the traditional make-or-buy and subcontracting questions that companies have dealt with for …

Pattern Of Task Interpretation And Self-Regulated Learning Strategies Of High School Students And College Freshmen During An Engineering Design Project, Oenardi Lawanto, Deborah Butler, Sylvie Cartier, Harry B. Santoso, Wade H. Goodridge, Kevin N. Lawanto, David Clark

Engineering Education Faculty Publications

The objective of this exploratory study was to describe patterns in self-regulated learning (SRL) for secondary school and college freshmen while engaged in a design activity. The main research question guiding the study was: In what ways did secondary and first year college students differ in addressing an engineering design project? Specific focus was given by exploring how these two groups of students compared in their (1) task interpretation in relation to reported strategy use during the design process; and (2) task interpretation in relation to reported strategy use in project management. Students at one high school in the state …

Task Interpretation, Cognitive, And Metacognitive Strategies Of Higher And Lower Performers In An Engineering Design Project: An Exploratory Study Of College Freshmen, Oenardi Lawanto, Deborah Butler, Sylvie Cartier, Harry B. Santoso, Wade H. Goodridge

Engineering Education Faculty Publications

This paper examines the task interpretation and strategy use of higher- and lower-performing college freshmen while engaged in an engineering design project using a self-regulated learning (SRL) framework. Our goals were to consider how students’ interpretation of task demands could be associated with their use of planning, cognitive, and monitoring/fix-up strategies, both as part of the design process and when managing their time, resources and teamwork. The main research question that guided the study was: In what ways did higher- vs. lower-performing students differ when engaged in an engineering design project? With regards to this question, we specifically explored how …

Performance Qualification And Raman Investigation On Cell Behavior And Aging Of Lifepo₄ Cathodes In Lithium-Ion Batteries, Amir Salehi

Material Science and Engineering Theses - Archive

This thesis explores the ability of Raman spectroscopy to understand the complex chemistry taking place in LiFePO₄ cathodes of Li ion batteries. The performance of Li ion batteries was optimized through electrode fabrication and assembling procedures. Various amounts of Timcal Super P carbon were used to construct a conductive network of C-LiFePO₄ particles and the performance of the cathodes was examined during battery cycling. Raman spectroscopy along with electrochemical characterization such as charge/ discharge curves, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and Cyclic Voltammetry was employed for detailed investigation of battery performance and aging. It is found that both quantity and quality of …

Effects Of Surface Plasmon Excitations On Photoluminescence By Cdse/Zns Quantum Dots, Ankit Kumar Singh

Material Science and Engineering Theses - Archive

The influence of localized surface plasmons (LSPs) and surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) on the photoluminescence (PL) spectra of core/shell type CdSe/ZnS quantum dots (QDs) has been studied. Thin film samples of these QDs were deposited on glass slides, irradiated by 514 nm polarized beam from an Argon-ion laser, and PL spectra were measured using a high-resolution 1250M JY-Horiba spectrometer equipped with liquid-nitrogen cooled CCD detector. In the first set of experiments, PL spectra were measured on QDs and QDs-Au NPs mixture as a functions of the intensity of the 514 nm laser beam. In the second set of experiments, PL …

Synthesis Of Silver-Diamond Like Carbon Thin Films By Magnetron Sputtering, Venkatesh Majji

Material Science and Engineering Theses - Archive

Diamond-like carbon thin films are been used in wide range of applications due to their attractive tribological properties. Metal-doped DLC films have significant properties which make them compatible to use in larger variety of applications. The present study examines the dispersion and their effect on various tribological properties when Ag is incorporated into the DLC thin films. These Ag-DLC nanocomposite films were synthesized by a hybrid CVD and magnetron sputtering process in a discharge composed of CH4, and Ar atmosphere. These DLC and Ag-DLC films were characterized by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy …

Effects Of Strain Energy Release Rate On Delamination In Temperature Environment, Venkata Naga Ravitej Sankarabatla

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Theses - Archive

Delamination is the weakest and major failure mode in laminated composites. Extensive efforts on initiation and growth of delamination under mechanical load have been investigated. A little emphasis was made earlier to account for the delamination in laminates under temperature loading. Strain energy release rate, a fracture mechanics parameter has been widely accepted to use for study the characteristics of delamination growth. In order to conduct a quick assessment of delamination growth, a closed form expression is developed to quantify the strain energy release rate of the laminate subjected to temperature environment. A finite element model is also developed to …

Role Of Engine Age And Lubricant Chemistry On The Characteristics Of Egr Soot, Olusanmi Adeniji Adeniran

Material Science and Engineering Theses - Archive

Exhaust products of Diesel Engines serves as an environmental hazard, and to curtail this problem a Tier 3 emission standard was introduced which involves change in engine designs and introduction of EGR systems in Diesel engines. EGR systems, however has the challenge of generating soot which are abrasive and are major causes of wear in Diesel engines. This work has studied the characteristics of EGR soot formed in different range of engine age and in different lubricant chemistries of Mineral and Synthetic based diesel Oils. It is found that lubricant degradation is encouraged by less efficient combustion as engine age …

Cold Plasma Treatment Of Magnetic Nanoparticles, Ke Wang

Material Science and Engineering Theses - Archive

This thesis investigates the application of cold plasma to remove the oleic acid bonded on magnetic nanoparticles: SmCo5 nanoflakes prepared via surfactant assisted high energy ball milling and CoFe2O4 nanoparticles prepared via chemical synthesis. Oleic acid molecules bonded on nanoparticles are in the carboxylate form which could not be washed away by organic solvents in ultrasonic bath; only free oleic acid molecules left on the nanoparticle surface after ball milling can be washed away through ultrasonic bath. High temperature annealing method works for removing oleic acid but nanoparticles would be damaged because of oxidation and decomposition.The RF cold plasma has …

Investigation Of Side Wall Effects On An Inward Scramjet Inlet At Mach Number 8.6, Tiago Cavalcanti Rolim

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Dissertations - Archive

Experimental and computational studies were conducted to evaluate the performance of a scramjet inlet as the side cowl length is changed. A slender inward turning inlet with a total length of 304.8 mm, a span of 50.8 mm with a top and a bottom compression ramp each at 11.54 deg and a compression ratio of 4.79 was used. The side cowl lengths were of 0, 50.8 and 76.2 mm. The UTA Hypersonic Shock Tunnel facility was used in the reflected mode to test the inlet model. The model was instrumented with nine piezoelectric pressure transducers, for static and total pressure …