Engineering Commons^™

Sustainable Lightweight Foams From Hazardous Aluminum Dross, Chayapat Weerapakdee, Makoto Nanko, Yen-Ling Kuo, Sukasem Watcharamaisakul, Kaito Suzuki, Seiryu Suzuki, Siriwan Chokkha

Journal of Metals, Materials and Minerals

Aluminum dross is a hazardous byproduct from aluminum industry that causes environmental problems and high disposal cost. This work presents a sustainable route to upcycle secondary aluminum dross into lightweight ceramic foams for insulating refractory applications. Secondary aluminum dross powder was blended with polyethylene (PE) pore-forming agents (30 vol% to 70 vol%) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) binder added as a 7.5 wt% aqueous solution (binder contents: 1 vol% and 3 vol%), followed by pressing and sintering at 1400℃. Increasing PE systematically reduced bulk density and increased open porosity. At 70 vol% PE, the foams reached a bulk density of 0.94 …

Magnetocaloric Effect Of Gdtbdyerpr Rare-Earth High-Entropy Alloy, Yu Liu, Lei Gao, Jun Peng, Haitao Guo

Journal of Metals, Materials and Minerals

In this study, a GdTbDyErPr rare-earth high-entropy alloy (RE HEA) was successfully synthesized and its magnetic properties and magnetocaloric effect (MCE) were systematically investigated. The results indicate that the as-cast GdTbDyErPr RE HEA exhibits a single-phase hexagonal close-packed (HCP) structure with lattice parameters of a = 3.609 Å and c = 5.734 Å. Based on large parameter Ω, high mixing entropy (ΔSmix), and small parameters δ and εi, it can be inferred that the GdTbDyErPr alloy forms a disordered solid solution. The GdTbDyErPr RE HEA undergoes a first-order magnetic transition near about 143 K. The parameters |∆ |, RC, and …

Investigating The Effects Of Lamno. On The Morphology, Structural And Optical Properties Of Epoxy-Based Plastic Scintillators, Yeni Febrianti, Airine Hijrah Handayani, Marzuki Naibaho, Phahul Zhemas Zul Nehan, Zulkarnain -, Arbi Dimyati, Budhy Kurniawan

Journal of Metals, Materials and Minerals

Plastic scintillators are widely used in radiation detection due to their low cost, fast response, and ease of fabrication, although their performace is often limited by low density, low atomic number, make them less efficient for applications requiring high-energy radiation. In this study, LaMnO3 was synthesized using the hydrothermal method and employed as a dopant to enhance the optical and scintillation properties of epoxy-based plastic scintillators. Structural, morphological, and optical characterizations of LaMnO3 were carried out using X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), UV-Vis and  photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. The results confirm that …

Effect Of Mgo On Crawling And Physical Properties In Ceramic Glazes, Thongpanchang Timclub, Pathitta Anuraksombat, Thatree Muangkaew, Niti Yongvanich

Journal of Metals, Materials and Minerals

This study attempted to seek and verify the scientific aspects responsible for crawling in ceramic glazes. The selected additive was magnesium oxide (MgO). The glazes were applied on porcelain biscuits and fired between 1100℃ and 1300℃. The degree of crawling was enhanced with increasing amount of MgO, which was accompanied by formation of forsterite (Mg2SiO4) as a major phase. Complete island separation was achieved with 10 wt% MgO with good wettability and shiny surface. The morphology of the glaze demonstrated this phase as small crystals within the glaze layer. Addition of MgO resulted in a continuous decrease in the thermal …

Enhancing Aqueous Solubility Of A Psoralen Derivative Via Cyclodextrin Inclusion Complexation : In Silico And In Vitro Study, Gulzaib Basharat, Saba Ali, Pattharamon Chaikhun, Choosak Jaroenrit, Kuakarun Krusong, Thanthapatra Bunchuay, Tanatorn Khotavivattana, Thanyada Rungrotmongkol

Journal of Metals, Materials and Minerals

N-(4-Bromobenzoyl)-8-methoxypsoralen-4-amine (BNB) is a psoralen derivative with potent cytotoxic activity against breast cancer cells but with limited pharmaceutical application and therapeutic potential due to its extremely low aqueous solubility. To overcome this limitation, β-cyclodextrin (βCD) and its derivatives dimethyl-βCD (DMβCD), hydroxypropyl-βCD (HPβCD), and sulfobutylether-βCD (SBEβCD) were investigated as carriers to enhance BNB's aqueous solubility via cyclodextrin inclusion complexation. A combined computational–experimental strategy was employed, integrating molecular docking, 500-ns all-atom molecular dynamics simulations in quintuplicate runs (2.5 µs in total), and experimental validation by phase solubility analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Docking and simulations revealed …

The Performance Of The Heat Affected Zone Of 9% Ni Steel Narrow Gap Joint Performed By The Gmaw Process With Rotating Electrode, Jorge Carlos Ferreira Jorge, Jeferson Frederico Monteiro Costa, Matheus Campolina Mendes, Luís Felipe Guimarães De Souza, Hiron Akira Yamada Magalhães, Leonardo Sales Araújo

Journal of Metals, Materials and Minerals

This work investigates the mechanical properties and microstructural evolution of the heat-affected zone of 9% Ni steel narrow-gap welded joints produced by the GMAW process with a rotating electrode, since no literature on this subject is available. This process is an innovation of the GMAW process, which permits narrow gap welding because the circular motion of the electrode overcomes the main issue of the sidewall's lack of fusion observed in the conventional process. However, the rotation movement of the electric arc imposes a higher peak temperature at the heat affected zone, which can negatively affect the mechanical properties. The joints …

Synthesis And Characterization Of New Graft Copolymers Based On Ozonized Polyethylene: Comparative Approach Between Mass And Solution Grafting, Mostapha Karaoui, Samira Kharchouf, Houda El Yakoubi, Kaouthar Boumane, Mohammed Assouag

Journal of Metals, Materials and Minerals

New graft copolymers were developed from low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) following an initial ozonation step to introduce reactive functional groups onto the polymer backbone. Among the two polymers, LDPE demonstrated superior susceptibility to ozonation, making it the preferred substrate for subsequent grafting. Grafting was then performed primarily on ozonized LDPE using various functional monomers, including acrylic acid (AA), 4-vinylpyridine (4VP), acrylonitrile (AN), chloromethylstyrene (CMS), as well as copolymers such as AA–vinylphosphonic acid (AA-co-VPA) and AN–vinylphosphonic acid (AN-co-VPA). Grafting was carried out using both solution and melt techniques. The resulting materials were characterized by elemental analysis and Fourier …

Enhanced Red Emission Of Gd2moo6:Eu Phosphor-In-Glass Embedded In Sio2-Teo2-Na2o-Bao Matrix For Solid-State Lighting, Patarawagee Yasaka, Winut Wongwan, Seubsakun Khondara, Jakrapong Kaewkhao

Journal of Metals, Materials and Minerals

Gd2MoO6:Eu3+ phosphor-in-glass (PIG) composites were synthesized by a microwave-assisted melting technique using a 50SiO2:20TeO2:15Na2O:15BaO glass matrix containing 0.00 wt% to 10.00 wt% phosphor. Their structural, optical, and luminescent properties were systematically investigated. X-ray diffraction confirmed the formation of crystalline Gd2MoO6 phases, which became prominent at 5.00 wt% and 10.00 wt%, indicating partial crystallization within the glass network. The density and refractive index increased from 3.621 g∙cm‒3 to 3.774 g∙cm‒3 and 1.535 to 1.692 with higher phosphor loading, suggesting a more compact structure. Absorption spectra showed four characteristic Eu3+ bands at 464 nm, 534 nm, 2088 nm, and 2203 nm, while …

Hybrid Interface Effect Of G-C3n4/Zno Nanocomposites On The Photoelectrochemical Cathodic Protection Of 304 Stainless Steel In Chloride Solution, Htet Yadanar Soe, Thanate Na Wichean, Jularpar Sunttiprapar, Parichart Chaum, Gasidit Panomsuwan, Oratai Jongprateep, Ratchatee Techapiesancharoenkij

Journal of Metals, Materials and Minerals

The development of efficient and environmentally friendly corrosion protection systems for metals in aggressive environments has become a critical area of research, particularly for stainless steel used in marine and industrial applications. In this study, a series of graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) and zinc oxide (ZnO) composites with varying g-C3N4 weight ratios (10 wt% and 30 wt%), are integrated to form heterojunction structures with enhanced charge separation and interfacial activity. The g-C3N4/ ZnO (ZCN) composite thin films were prepared using a facile thermal mixing method and were characterized using XRD, SEM, BET, FTIR, UV-Vis, and PL to confirm their structural, …

Mechanical And Microstructural Characterization Of Tib2/Zro2 Reinforced Al5052 Nanocomposites For Structural Applications, Saumy Agarwal, Satnam Singh

Journal of Metals, Materials and Minerals

This study investigates the fabrication and mechanical characterization of Al5052 composites reinforced with nanosized TiB2 and ZrO2 particles via stir casting. Al5052 was chosen for its high strength-to-weight ratio and corrosion resistance, making it suitable for marine and automotive applications. The addition of hard ceramic reinforcements aimed to enhance mechanical properties without severely affecting ductility. Composite samples were tested as per ASTM standards. SEM analysis confirmed sound metallurgical bonding and generally uniform particle distribution. Density tests showed slight differences between theoretical and experimental values, with porosity generally increasing with reinforcement addition, attributed to particle agglomeration at higher loadings. Mechanical testing …

Green Synthesis And Optimized Annealing Temperature Effects On Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Using Mango Peel Extract, Supamas Wirunchit, Natchayaporn Sakulpeeb, Woradech Meedech, Sutee Chutipaijit, Wantana Koetniyom

Journal of Metals, Materials and Minerals

This study presents the green synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) using mango peel extract (MgE) as a natural reducing and stabilizing agent. Phytochemical extraction was performed with deionized water, ethanol, and methanol for 1 h to 5 h, with deionized water at 4 h yielding the highest flavonoid content. Using zinc nitrate as a precursor, 25 mL of MgE successfully facilitated the synthesis of ZnO-NPs (ZnO-25MgE). It was found that annealing temperature at 400℃ for 6 h produced pure ZnO. The obtained nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and field emission scanning electron microscopy …

The Effect Of Granule Composition On The Densification And Strength Of Two Different Compacted 92% Aluminas, Ryan Mccuiston, Kritkaew Somton

Journal of Metals, Materials and Minerals

High-alumina (Al2O3) ceramics are an important, but sometimes overlooked industrial material. Two 92% alumina spray-dried granules, which contained different sintering aid compositions, were studied. The two alumina granules, called MT and JP, were die compacted to form bend bars and heated at temperatures from 200℃ to 1600℃. The effect of the sintering aid composition on the shrinkage, density, and fracture strength of samples were investigated. It was found that MT samples had a lower density than the JP samples up to 1100℃, due to a greater weight loss following binder removal.  However, between 1200℃ to 1600℃, the MT samples had …

Eco-Friendly Pva-Walnut Shell-Based Triboelectric Nanogenerator For Biomechanical Energy Harvesting And Self-Powered Touch Sensing, Sabita Tripathy, Gayatri Mohapatra, Arjun Kumar, Manoj Kumar Debnath

Journal of Metals, Materials and Minerals

The growing demand for sustainable power in wearable electronics necessitates eco-friendly energy harvesting alternatives. Herein, a polyvinyl alcohol-walnut shell (PVA-WS) composite was developed as a biodegradable triboelectric active layer for a single-electrode triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG). Walnut shell powder, a lignocellulosic agricultural byproduct, was incorporated into PVA at an optimised 3 wt%, enhancing surface micro-roughness and charge trapping capability as confirmed by SEM and XRD analyses. The fabricated device yielded a peak output voltage of 130 V, short-circuit current of 390 nA, and maximum power of 20 μW at 500 MΩ under 1 Hz excitation, while also successfully harvesting biomechanical energy …

Surface Characteristics Of Montmorillonite Reinforced Cellulose Membranes Derived From Pineapple Waste, Naufal Rizky Amasda, Heru Suryanto, Aminnudin Aminuddin, Uun Yanuhar, Nanda Lidya Cinta Aulia Sari, Agus Suyetno, Komarudin Komarudin, Fajar Nusantara, Gaguk Jatisukamto, Aulia Surya Ramadhan

Journal of Metals, Materials and Minerals

This study aims to investigate the effect of montmorillonite on the surface characteristics and porosity of bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) membranes derived from pineapple peel waste. The bacterial cellulose was synthesized using Acetobacter xylinum using pineapple peel extract as medium component. Bacterial nanocellulose membrane (BNC) was obtained by crushing and homogenizing bacterial cellulose in a high-pressure homogenizer. BNC membrane was reinforced with montmorillonite content of 2 wt% to 8 wt%. The membrane was characterized for its properties using SEM, FTIR, surface roughness tester, tensile tester, water holding capacity test, and BET analysis. The results showed that montmorillonite was well-dispersed within BNC …

C.A.S. Full Assessment Report: State Of Florida Government Portal, Delante Clark

Graduate Scholarship and Creative Works

The purpose of this assessment is to evaluate the cognitive overhead, transparency, and attentional integrity of

official State of Florida digital interfaces using the Cognitive Attentional Standards (C.A.S.) platform.

While the Florida Digital Bill of Rights (FDBR) establishes strict regulatory guardrails for consumer data

transparency, tracking opt-outs, and attentional safeguards, the State of Florida explicitly exempts its own

government agencies, public universities, and non-profit entities from complying with these rules.

This assessment serves to investigate the tension between legislative intent and government execution. By

analyzing public sector websites through the C.A.S. platform, this project will establish a “state-enforced vs.

state-executed” …

Healthcare Digital Twins: A Methodological Literature Review On Integrating Iot And Ai For Personalized Medicine And Predictive Care, Sara Shahnazinia, Mahsa Tavasoli, Abdolhossein Sarrafzadeh, Ali Karimoddini

Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

Digital Twin (DT) technology has the potential to revolutionize healthcare delivery and enhance patient outcomes through personalized and precision medicine, simulation models for operations and interventions, and drug discovery. However, successful implementation of DTs in Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI) healthcare is contingent upon addressing key challenges such as privacy, ethics, and robust data security. This paper presents a methodological literature review of DT applications in healthcare, systematically analyzing the current state of research, key enabling technologies, and implementation challenges. The review summarizes DT categorization approaches (application-based, technology-based, and real-time function-based); delineates core DT components such as …

Gem-Can: A Real-World Dataset Of Can-Bus Attack Scenarios On An Autonomous Vehicle For Intrusion-Detection Research, Mahsa Tavasoli, Abdolhossein Sarrafzadeh, Ali Karimoddini, Tienake Phuapaiboon, Milad Khaleghi, Daniel Tobias

Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

This paper presents GEM-CAN, a labelled Controller Area Network (CAN) dataset captured from an autonomous GEM e6 platform under both normal operation and controlled cyber-attack conditions.

The dataset contains ∼143 K frames comprising (i) ∼ nominal autonomous operation (∼100k messages), (ii) DoS floods using arbitration ID 0 × 00000000 (∼41 K messages), and (iii) data-tampering injections that reuse legitimate IDs for brake and steering-lock (∼1.3 K messages). Each record includes timestamp, arbitration ID (11/29-bit), DLC, eight payload bytes, and a Normal/Attack label. A companion metadata file enumerates attack windows, PCAN bus-load traces, bitrate, and test conditions. Data were collected with …

Towards Optimal And Resilient Ac/Dc Microgrids: Control Design, Analysis, And Implementation, Jun Zhang

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Microgrids serve as a small-scale power grid for utilizing renewable energy to enhance energy reliability, sustainability, and resilience. As an autonomous system, an islanded microgrid can disconnect from the utility grid and operate independently by maintaining system voltage and frequency. However, this new feature introduces coordination problems among distributed generators (DGs), such as 1) how to make sure the voltage profile and current sharing in DC microgrid with different types of converters; 2) how to reduce the impact of cyberattack when the system coordination is performed based on communication, and 3) how to calculate the steady state under a droop …

Secure Peer-To-Peer Messaging Using Distributed Servers, Jack Stoller

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Traditional messaging systems that rely on centralized infrastructure often introduce three security vulnerabilities: single points of failure susceptible to availability attacks, metadata leakage, and man-in-the-middle attacks.

This project designs, implements, and validates a distributed peer-to-peer messaging system that addresses each of these concerns through architectural design. A consistent hash ring is used with virtual nodes to distribute user data across a mesh of connected nodes, eliminating centralized dependency on any single server. Message contents travel directly between browser clients over a WebRTC data channel secured with end-to-end DTLS encryption, bypassing the server infrastructure. Inter-node communication is protected by mutual TLS …

Brrbox, Shawn J. Myers, Lane Cline, Michael Davis, Christian Secrest

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This report details the project known as “The BRRBOX”, a reusable, insulated thermoelectric cooler developed to keep internal temperatures at refrigeration levels or cooler for at least 48 hours. The cooler will track its internal temperature during this period and be able to give the data at the end of its delivery cycle to keep up with food and pharmaceutical standards during delivery. The BRRBOX uses Peltier-based cooling alongside vacuum insulation panels and fans to achieve efficient thermal control. An onboard microcontroller will monitor temperature, record the data, and adjust the cooling output to minimize power consumption. The box will …

Automated Pill Dispenser, Ryan Oderkirk, Connor Beaven, Rachelle Labrie, Josue Panchana

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The project we propose is an automated system for dispensing dosages of medication throughout the day. It will be able to alert a user when their pills need to be taken and give them the correct dosages of up to four different medications. These dosages are configurable as well as the scheduled time they are to be taken. In addition, the pill dispenser will alert users when they are low on medications and need to refill the machine.

Automated Soil Resetting System For Extraterrestrial Regolith Simulation, Parker W. Brennan, Anthony C. Daniels

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This project focuses on designing an automated soil resetting system for extraterrestrial regolith simulation. The system will prepare a regolith simulant testbed to a desired, repeatable density, enabling reliable wheel–terrain testing for planetary rover research. Manual soil preparation currently exposes testers to hazardous particulates and produces inconsistent results.

The proposed system will integrate mechanical and control elements to reset the soil bed safely and efficiently. A combination of raking and vibrational methods will be explored, with feedback sensors and automation to achieve target density control. The research will proceed through literature review, benchtop experimentation, prototype design, and full-scale testing over …

Adjustable Car-Camping Bed Frame, Zachary Lamonica, Mitchell Mcgrath

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This project explores an innovative camping solution designed to enhance mobility, comfort, and accessibility for outdoor enthusiasts. The first is the Adjustable Car-Camping Bed Frame, engineered to be lightweight, collapsible, and adjustable to various vehicle interiors. It prioritizes ease of setup, compact storage, reliability, and affordability, enabling convenient travel without sacrificing comfort. The design aims to simplify camping while maintaining durability. As an aerospace systems engineering student, I will apply systems engineering to the Bed Frame, using aerospace software and principles. The scope includes research, design, prototyping, and testing, with a focus on real-world usability and environmental adaptability. Additionally, my …

Automatic Pet Feeder Network, Daniel J. Herttna, David A. Bechtel, Alexander Deskovich

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This project will describe the design process and research behind the Automatic Pet Feeder Network, otherwise known as The Petwork. The system consists of a tank to hold the food, a latching system to drop the food at the desired time, a weight sensor to verify that the proper amount of food has been dispensed, a power supply unit that steps down 120V AC standard wall outlet power, & a microcontroller that will interpret the user's input from a mobile phone application. The networking portion is covered by having a primary and a secondary feeder. The mobile application will communicate …

Development Of A Hypersonic Aerodynamic Analysis Methodology For Conceptual Design, Stephen Atkins

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Theses

This research promotes the advancement of the Aerospace Vehicle Design Synthesis (AVDS) system through the development of a low order numerical hypersonic aerodynamic analysis methodology. The AVDS methodology outlines how to utilize disciplinary tools and relies on the careful selection or development of those tools to carry out the aerospace vehicle sizing and evaluation processes. An overview of the aerodynamic analysis process from both industrial and academic perspectives is presented to provide context for the present work. The different philosophies of design are discussed insofar as they dictate how aerodynamic tools are used in the design process. Next, a literature …

A Three-Stage Causal Root-Cause Diagnostic Protocol For Nonstationary Industrial Time Series Data, Cansu Yalim, Resit Unal, Holly A. H. Handley

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Faculty Publications

Predictive maintenance (PdM) systems effectively forecast failures, but they often fail to find root causes, particularly when system dynamics change over time. This limitation arises from applying static causal models or decoupled segmentation to handle nonstationary industrial time series. For regime-aware causal diagnostics and interventional effect estimation, we introduce a three-stage time-varying dynamic Bayesian network (TV-DBN) protocol. Using a minimum description length (MDL) objective that connects segmentation to mechanism changes, Stage I jointly infers change points and regime-specific graph structure. Stage II produces a completed partially directed acyclic graph (DAG) by orienting edges within each regime using a combination of …

Evaluating High-Strength Steel Welded Connections For Future Aws Welding Standards, Parker Minter

2026 Research Poster Competition

Welding plays a critical role in many civil engineering applications as it is a common method used to connect structural steel components. Because of how widespread the practice is, the American Welding Society (AWS) has developed a set of standardized welding guidelines to ensure consistent quality in structural welds. These standards allow common weld types to be fabricated using pre-approved procedures (e.g. welding materials, temperatures, and positions). Recently, high-strength structural steels have begun to be available domestically. Current AWS standards do not allow for high strength steels (yield strength greater than 80ksi) and need to be evaluated for the inclusion …

Unmanned Aircraft Vehicle Safety Reporting And Analysis Of Incidents Utilizing Machine Learning, Cody Harrison

2026 Research Poster Competition

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) are rapidly evolving and being integrated into a wide range of applications, from commercial deliveries to police surveillance and recreational use. As UAVs become more prevalent, the complexity of operations and potential for incidents or accidents will continue to increase. Understanding why these incidents and accidents occur is critical to ensure safe and reliable drone operations as the industry continues to grow. To combat these issues, it is invaluable to analyze UAV incidents quantifiably to identify leading causes and risks in a streamlined and efficient matter. Current manual reporting systems often struggle with the sheer volume …

How Do Different Flight Training Programs Impact Pilot Proficiency?, Abigail Henson

2026 Research Poster Competition

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), founded in 1958, ensures safe and efficient use of national airspace by regulating aircraft and pilot certification, setting standards for airports, and managing the National Airspace System. One such regulation is in the certification process for aspiring student pilots. Students who want to obtain their private pilots license can do so by picking either a Part 61 or Part 141 flight school. While both lead to the same certification, these two options differ significantly in terms of structure; Part 61 programs offer flexibility with their individualized approach and fewer requirements while Part 141 schools follow …

Analysis Of Loss Of Engine Power Events In General Aviation, Saloni Satappagol

2026 Research Poster Competition

Among different parts of aviation, general aviation (GA) stands out as one of its largest and most vital sectors. GA is defined as any civil aviation activity excluding scheduled commercial flights and military operations. While loss of engine power is a serious subset of general aviation accidents, accounting for more than 200 fatal accidents per year, several gaps remain in our current understanding of these accidents. While current literature includes older studies from 2000-2014, new data from the past decade have not been analyzed for trends yet. With this significant gap of more than a decade in understanding, it is …