Engineering Commons^™

Machine-Learning-Guided Design Of A Biomedical High-Entropy Alloy For Additive Manufacturing: Cast-State Benchmark And Preliminary Lpbf Feasibility Assessment, Deyu Jiang, Lai Chang Zhang, Kuaishe Wang, Wen Wang, Chenyuan Zhu, Yuanfei Fu, Kai Wang, Wei Zhai, Ching Chiuan Yen, Weijie Lu, Di Zhang, Liqiang Wang

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Additive manufacturing of biomedical high-entropy alloys (BioHEAs) demands a combination of low elastic modulus, high strength, and damage tolerance, yet composition discovery remains largely empirical. Here, we establish a machine-learning framework that couples virtual screening with physical prototyping to link composition, deformation mechanism, and properties. Ensemble models for strength, elongation, and modulus were applied to screen Ti–Zr–Nb–Ta–Mo-centered quinary-to-septenary spaces (∼15 million compositions), revealing discrete performance islands anchored by a Ti–Zr backbone. A Zr-rich BCC alloy (Zr₃₉.₃Ti₁₉.₅Nb₁₇.₉Ta₁₆.₈Mo₆.₅) was identified and validated. In the as-cast state, it delivers ∼1.0 GPa yield strength, 22.3% elongation, and an 88 GPa elastic modulus; ductility originates …

Numerical Investigation Of The Influence Of Fiber Content On The Shear Performance Of Uhpc Deep Beams Reinforced With Hybrid Steel And Synthetic Fibers, Hossein Mirzaaghabeik, Sanjay Kumar Shukla, Nuha S. Mashaan

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This study investigates the shear performance of ultra-high-performance concrete deep beams (UHPC-DBs) reinforced with hybrid fibers comprising 5D steel fibers and Forta-Ferro (FF) synthetic fibers. UHPC-DBs are widely used in bridges, piles, and transfer girders because of their high load-bearing capacity. Although fiber content strongly influences shear behavior, the contribution of synthetic fibers in hybrid systems remains insufficiently understood. To address this gap, finite element analysis based on the concrete damage plasticity (CDP) model was developed in ABAQUS and validated using experimental results from five previously tested UHPC-DBs with different fiber contents. Load–deflection response, crack patterns, shear capacity, mid-span deflection, …

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

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

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

Covert Transmission For Active Ris-Aided Full-Duplex Uav Integrated Sensing, Communication, And Computation Systems, Qi Zhang, Wei Gao, Chuan Liu, Yu Yao, Shihao Yan, Feng Shu, Shi Jin

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Next-generation wireless network should accomplish integrated sensing, communication, and computation (ISCC) capabilities. This paper proposes a novel covert transmission scheme based on active reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS)-enabled full-duplex (FD) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-ISCC framework, where the multi-functional UAV realizes simultaneous target sensing and uplink (UL) covert communication, as well as performing edge computing (EC) for users. To maximize the minimum covert transmission rate (CTR) among all UL users, UAV transmit beamforming and trajectory, RIS weights, power allocation and signal processing in a FD UL transmission system are jointly devised. To tackle the intractable non-convex problem, we leverage second order cone …

Design Of Artificial Interference Signal Waveforms For Covert Communication Aided By Multiple Friendly Nodes, Xuyang Zhao, Wei Guo, Yongchao Wang, Shihao Yan

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

In this work, we consider a covert communication scenario with multiple friendly interference nodes. The goal is to hide a legitimate communication link from a transmitter to a receiver under a warden’s surveillance. Firstly, we propose a novel strategy for generating artificial noise (AN) signals and formulate a corresponding design problem, aiming to minimize the adverse effects of AN on the legitimate receiver while enhancing communication covertness. Specifically, we optimize the basis matrix for AN signal space using statistical information of the involved channel coefficients, when precise channel state information are unavailable. Secondly, we analyze the geometric structure of the …

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

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

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

A Novel Deep Transfer Learning-Based Adaptive Cascade Pi Controller Enhanced By Reinforcement Learning Algorithm And Snake Optimization For Robust Speed Regulation Of Brushless Dc Motors, Seyyed Morteza Ghamari, Asma Aziz

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Brushless DC (BLDC) are common in electric cars, industrial automation, and robotics because of their high efficiency, high torque control, and compact size. Nevertheless, strong speed and current regulation is not easily attained because of system variation, load variations and the shortcomings of traditional fixed-gain proportional-integral (PI) controllers. In this paper, a new snake optimization-assisted deep transfer learning-based reinforcement learning (SOA-DTL-RL)-based adaptive cascade PI controller is proposed that combines transfer learning with fast adaptation, Reinforcement learning with real-time optimization, and snake optimization with optimal initial gain selection to guarantee the robust speed and current regulation in BLDC motors. The proposed …

C2p-M: Critical Connection Protection In Multiplex Graphs, Conggai Li, Wei Ni, Ming Ding, Youyang Qu, Jianjun Chen, Wenjie Zhang, Thierry Rakotoarivelo

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Multiplex graphs represent diverse real-world interactions among entities, where multiple relationship types coexist within the same set of entities. These graphs introduce privacy risks, as data collectors can exploit cross-layer dependencies to infer hidden and sensitive connections. In this work, we propose a C2P-M framework that identifies and protects critical connections while preserving the structural information in multiplex graphs. Unlike conventional methods for single-layer graphs that perturb all edges uniformly, C2P-M selectively protects critical connections, maintaining the analytical usability of the graph. To achieve this, we introduce the multiplex p-cohesion model, which incorporates new score functions that account for both …

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

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

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

Optimizing Ev Battery Charging Using Fuzzy Logic In The Presence Of Uncertainties And Unknown Parameters, Minhaz Uddin Ahmed, Md Ohirul Qays, Stefan Lachowicz, Parvez Mahmud

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The growing use of electric vehicles (EVs) creates challenges in designing charging systems that are smart, dependable, and efficient, especially when environmental conditions change. This research proposes a fuzzy-logic-based PID control strategy integrated into a photovoltaic (PV) powered EV charging system to address uncertainties such as fluctuating solar irradiance, grid instability, and dynamic load demands. A MATLAB-R2023a/Simulink-R2023a model was developed to simulate the charging process using real-time adaptive control. The fuzzy logic controller (FLC) automatically updates the PID gains by evaluating the error and how quickly the error is changing. This adaptive approach enables efficient voltage regulation and improved system …

Mobility Of Hydrophilic And Hydrophobic Nanoparticles In Carbonate Reservoirs: Application To Subsurface Projects, Zain Ul Abedin Arain, Sarmad Al-Anssari, Muhammad Ali, Faisal Ur Rahman Awan, Alireza Keshavarz, Jitendra Sangwai, Mohammad Sarmadivaleh, Stefan Iglauer

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Nanoparticles (NPs) have been suggested for subsurface projects, including enhanced oil recovery (EOR), carbon capture and storage (CCS), and hydrogen storage, due to their small size, high surface energy, controlled surface properties, and significant effects on the underground formation properties. Silica is an excellent NP that efficiently modifies the surface properties of subsurface formations for incremental oil recovery and to derisk carbon and hydrogen leaks. However, the retention of injected NPs in a narrow area near the injection inlet can limit a project’s feasibility. In the present study, hydrophobic (hybrid) NPs were produced via silanization of silica NPs, and the …

Combined Effect Of Porosity And Pore-Size Heterogeneity On Young’S Modulus Of Chemically Corroded Rocks, Hao Li, Zhenjiang You, Leo Pel, David Smeulders

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Young’s modulus is a critical parameter for evaluating the stability of rock reservoirs, such as CO₂ geological storage. These reservoirs are exposed to chemically corrosions, which alter the pore structure, particularly porosity and pore size heterogeneity, thereby affecting Young’s modulus. This study conducted multiscale experiments to investigate how acid-driven chemical corrosion affects pore structure and its relationship with the Young’s modulus of rocks. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) was used to characterize pore structure evolution, while corrosion mechanisms were examined via mass loss, XRD, pH monitoring, and ion chromatography. Based on the experimental results, a Kinetic Weibull Modulus (KWM) model was …

Load-Settlement Behaviour Of Tailings Dam Foundation Strengthened Using The Wraparound Geosynthetic Reinforcement Technique, Francis Otieno, Sanjay Kumar Shukla

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This paper presents a numerical investigation of the load–settlement behaviour of a geosynthetic-reinforced tailings foundation comprised of gold tailings, subjected to the weight of a tailings dam embankment. The study considered varying conditions, including the horizontal and vertical components of the wraparound reinforcement, reinforcement burial depth, and shear strength parameters of the foundation material. A particular focus of this study is to investigate the effect of reinforcement wraparound ends on the settlement behaviour of the foundation using commercially available finite element (FE) software. The reinforcement is a single-layer biaxial woven geotextile, with and without wraparound ends, at varying depths from …

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

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

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

A Review On Underwater Beamforming: Techniques, Challenges, And Future Directions, Ruba Zaheer, Quoc Viet Phung, Iftekhar Ahmad, Asma Aziz, Daryoush Habibi, Yue Rong, Walid K. Hasan

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This paper comprehensively reviews recent advancements in Underwater Beamforming (UWB) systems, highlighting its pivotal role in underwater communication, sensing, and environmental monitoring. It explores the various beamforming applications, ranging from maritime surveillance to marine life monitoring, and indicates its significance in enhancing signal clarity, spatial resolution, and noise suppression in underwater acoustic environments. The unique challenges posed by the underwater environment that introduce complexities into the beamforming process such as non-stationary noise interference, severe signal attenuation, multipath propagation, and dynamic environmental variability are thoroughly discussed. The review systematically discusses and examines conventional, adaptive, and learning-based beamforming techniques, analyzing their strengths, …

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

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

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

Development Of An Active Heave Compensation System On A Cost Effective Microcontroller For A Fiber Optic Tether Management System, Frances Truong

Open Access Master's Theses

Fiber optic tether systems are used for real-time data transmission to remotely operated vehicles (ROV) due to their ease of deployment and light weight, but are prone to damage from tension loads. An active heave compensation system applied to a fiber optic tether system can address these challenges by actively managing the tether payout to reduce peak loads. Tether management systems with active heave compensation have been in use for larger systems such as work class vehicles and offshore oil rigs, but few are developed for small maritime systems. This work focuses on the development and incorporation of an active …

Effect Of Kelvin Seamount On Acoustic Propagation, Lindsey Moss

Open Access Master's Theses

This thesis contains CUI. It cannot be distributed, exported, uploaded, or published until it has gone through the proper public release process.

Gpu-Accelerated Biased Random-Key Genetic Algorithms: Framework Optimization And Llm-Driven Configuration, Fnu Harishjitu Saseendran

Open Access Master's Theses

This thesis presents two complementary contributions to the field of GPU-accelerated evolutionary metaheuristics for combinatorial optimization, organized in manuscript format.

The first manuscript, “BrkgaCuda 3.0: A Redesigned Multi-GPU Framework for Biased Random-Key Genetic Algorithms,” presents a ground-up architectural redesign of BrkgaCuda 2.0 that enables a true multi-GPU island model for Biased Random-Key Genetic Algorithms (BRKGA). The BRKGA island model evolves multiple semi-independent populations that periodically exchange elite solutions, a structure that maps naturally to multi-GPU parallelism; however, BrkgaCuda 2.0 is confined to a single GPU. BrkgaCuda 3.0 introduces an IslandManager that distributes populations across any number of GPUs, with multiple …

Design Of A Communication And Control System For A Mesopelagic Vertical Profiling Robot, Julian Blanco

Open Access Master's Theses

The VAMPIRE (Visual and Acoustic Mesopelagic Profiler for Interdisciplinary Research) is a new platform capable of collecting simultaneous environmental, acoustic, and visual data in the Mesopelagic ocean. This work describes the communication and control systems of the vehicle, and presents preliminary data from initial deployments in the open ocean. A system architecture was developed to allow high level control of the vehicle with several layers of redundancy and automatic fail over systems allowing for safe operation.  A one dimensional motion model is developed and a system identification is performed to better understand the vehicle's vertical maneuverability. This model is used …

Assessing Modular And Conventional Construction For Sustainable Student Housing At The University Of Rhode Island: A Life Cycle Approach, Lasse Franzen

Open Access Master's Theses

The building sector accounts for a significant share of global greenhouse gas emissions, with embodied impacts gaining importance as operational efficiency improves. Modular construction is frequently proposed as a lower-impact alternative to conventional site-built methods, yet reported findings remain inconsistent, and no comparative study of student housing was identified in the reviewed literature. This thesis compares the embodied environmental impacts of two student housing developments at the University of Rhode Island: the New University Housing Project (NUHP), a hybrid development combining a site-built concrete and steel podium with a factory-built volumetric timber module superstructure, and Brookside Hall, a conventional site-built …

Vortex-Vortex Interaction Cavitation Inception Using Statistical And Multi-Phase Models, Nicholas Berthiaume

Open Access Master's Theses

This document is not being released in full, as it contains Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) subject to safeguarding and dissemination controls under the policies of the National Institute for Undersea Vehicle Technology (NIUVT). Only those portions authorized for release are included herein.

Gaze Transition Entropy And Automation Trust In Multitasking Workspace, Yusuke Yamani, Austin Jackson, Tetsuya Sato, Feyishola Ashimi, Michael S. Politowicz, Eric T. Chancey, Makoto Itoh

Psychology Faculty Publications

Safe flight operation requires visual scanning across multiple displays in a cockpit, which collectively represent the state of the aircraft and supporting automation. Trust is a crucial factor that drives human-automation interaction, and recent work has suggested a relationship between an operator's visual attention and automation trust. One index that captures predictability of eye movements between different areas of interest is gaze transition entropy. The current work reanalyzed data from Sato et al., which examined eye movement patterns and trust in automation associated with the system monitoring task of the Multi-Attribute Task Battery. Results showed credible positive correlations between the …

Formulation Development Of Topical Inserts Containing Doxycycline And Doxycycline Combined With Tenofovir Alafenamide And Elvitegravir For The Prevention Of Sexually Transmitted Infections, Vivek Agrahari, M. Melissa Peet, Jasmin Monpara, Rijo John, Sriramakamal Jonnalagadda, Pardeep K. Gupta, Meredith R. Clark, Gustavo F. Doncel

CONRAD Publications

Despite advances in oral and injectable HIV prevention options and oral prophylaxis for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) of bacterial origin, there remains a critical need for effective on-demand topical (vaginal and rectal) products for pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP and PEP). To fill this gap, we have developed single and first-in-kind multi-active topical inserts for bacterial STIs and HIV/STIs prevention. We have formulated two different inserts, one containing doxycycline (DOX) at 10, 50, and 100 mg doses for bacterial STI prevention, and a multipurpose prevention product (TED insert) that combines DOX (10 mg) with the antiretrovirals tenofovir alafenamide (TAF; 20 …

Cylinder Wake Stability Effects Of Passive Forebody Modification And Active Harmonic Actuation, Matt Duran

Graduate Studies Theses and Dissertations 2026

This dissertation investigates the manipulation of global and three-dimensional instabilities in the wake of a circular cylinder through two separate flow control methods. This study first focuses on the influence of attached leading edge forebodies as a form of passive flow control designed to introduce upstream streamline curvature, where the curvature takes the form of a concave and convex case. We demonstrate that for both cases this induced curvature significantly modifies the primary instability, which suppresses periodic vortex shedding (Von Kármán vortex street). We found an increase in critical Reynolds number of 56.6 and 60.1 for the concave and convex …

Stem-Fit And Soil-Fit: Integrated Plant And Soil Nitrogen-Hormone Sensing With Machine Learning-Based Forecasting For Next-Generation Precision Agriculture, Nafize I. Hossain, Mohammad Solaiman, A.K.M. Ahsanul Habib, Md Al Mahmud Hossain Al Hadi, Shawana Tabassum

Electrical Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Inefficient fertilizer application in agriculture leads to reduced crop productivity, nutrient losses, and reduced crop resilience, highlighting the urgent need for real-time monitoring of plant–soil nutrient and stress dynamics. This research aims to develop and validate a multiplexed sensing platform for real-time, in-situ measurement of key soil nutrients (Soil-FIT) and plant phytohormones (Stem-FIT) involved in nitrogen signaling and stress regulation. The proposed sensor suite integrates 3D-printed modules for continuous monitoring of nitrate, ammonium, and pH in both soil and plant sap, along with salicylic acid (SA), indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), methyl jasmonate (MeJA), and ethylene (ET) in plant sap. The sensors, …

Development Of Feature Tokenizer Deep Learning Model For Fault Diagnosis In Marine Propulsion System, Pratik Anand Deshpande, J. Preetha Roselyn, Prabha Sundaravadivel

Electrical Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

The fault diagnostics in Brushless Direct Current (BLDC) motor drive system is critical for operational safety and system lifespan in propulsion system applications. However, signature parameters such as currents, voltages, speed, and torque have provided nonlinear behavior, which limits the usefulness of traditional model-based approaches. This research provides a deep learning based intelligent system to monitor the failures in marine propulsion system. Each signal feature is represented as a structured token, with a specific class token used to collect global contextual information. The proposed model captures both local temporal dynamics and global inter-feature interdependence multi-layer self-attention processes, allowing for the …

A Reconstruction Method For The Anisotropic Electrical Conductivity In A Hybrid Planar Inverse Problem, Athanasios Dimitriadis

Graduate Studies Theses and Dissertations 2026

Some single-physics medical imaging methods fail to reliably discriminate benign from malignant biological tissue. In partial response, a new class of inverse problems employ multi-physics phenomena, coupling methods of high resolution with methods of high contrast. In this thesis we are concerned with one such problem in which an anisotropic electrical conductivity is to be recovered from some internal knowledge of the current density field generated by maintaining a fixed boundary voltage. This internal data is obtained by the method of Current Density Impedance Imaging (CDII), which combines Maxwell's equations with Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) measurements. The anisotropy class is …

Mission-Focused Multidisciplinary Design Optimization Of Tilt-Rotor Evtol Propulsion System, Tyler Critchfield, Andrew Ning

Faculty Publications

Tilt-rotor propulsion system design requires a multidisciplinary approach to tackle important challenges and competing tradeoffs between disciplines. In this paper, we model rotor aerodynamics, blade structures, vehicle drag, electric propulsion, and tonal/broadband acoustics for a tilt-rotor, electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft using low-to-mid fidelity tools. We use gradient-based design optimization with automatic differentiation and parameter sensitivity analyses to explore the design space and complex tradeoffs of tilt-rotor distributed electric propulsion systems, exploring effects of variations in payload/empty weight, battery specific energy, and blade tip speed. This framework models multiple operating points with a mission-focused objective to account for the …

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

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

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