Engineering Commons^™

Impact Of Primary Myoblasts On Macrophage Polarization In-Vitro, Olivia Welch

Master's Theses

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is characterized by the development of atherosclerotic plaques on arterial walls, leading to the narrowing of blood vessels, resulting in ischemia in the downstream tissue. In the United States, 12% of the adult population is affected by PAD and its related symptoms. Current surgical revascularization techniques can be effective in part of the patient population, but there is a need for other options. Alternatively, collateral blood vessels, or natural bypass arteries, enlarge to increase blood flow to the ischemic tissue in a process called arteriogenesis, which has been studied as a therapeutic option. Cell-based therapies, such …

A Date With Cheemis: Bullying In The Virtual Space, Nicholas Roger Nolasco

Liberal Arts and Engineering Studies

A Date With Cheemis is an alternative game mode for the social platform VRChat designed in the Unity real-time 3D development platform. The project is an experience where the player meets many non-playable characters (NPCs) and makes decisions based on different scenarios. The game tells the story of a VRChat user named Cheemis who is bullied for the avatar they use and how they interact with other characters. The player must make choices of how to react to the way the NPCs treat Cheemis, whether that be defending him or being a bystander. This experience is only available through the …

Technical Inventory Management For College Of Liberal Arts, Sofya Shatalova

Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

This project is sponsored by California Polytechnic State University’s Information Technology Services (ITS) department aimed to help with the transfer of inventory management from ITS to the College of Liberal Arts’ departments. Currently, there are no guidelines on how equipment is handled and little to no information about the flow of equipment. This creates difficulty for faculty and staff within those departments to check out, look up, or keep track of equipment. The sponsor needs for each department to be responsible for their own equipment and to familiarize themselves with the old database system the ITS used.

After understanding the …

Utilization Of Resin-Based Additive Manufacturing For Investment Casting, Matthew Frost, Isaiah Hong

Mechanical Engineering

Dr. Xuan Wang, an Industrial & Manufacturing Engineering (IME) professor at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, has sponsored the resin-based 3D printing investment cast senior project. The objective of the project was to thoroughly research the process and document the findings of using a resin-based 3D printed part as the pattern for investment casting. While this manufacturing process is not necessarily a new idea, the lack of technical research and documentation limits its ability to be reproducible. The research portion of the senior project included analyzing the limitations to the printing/casting manufacturing process. Measurements of part thicknesses, hole …

Assessing The Impact Of Bicycle Infrastructure And Modal Shift On Traffic Operations And Safety Using Microsimulation, Katherine E. Lee

Master's Theses

A transportation system designed to prioritize the mobility of automobiles cannot accommodate the growing number of road users. The Complete Streets policy plays a crucial part in transforming streets to accommodate multiple modes of transportation, especially active modes like biking and walking. Complete streets are referred to as streets designed for everyone and enable safety and mobility to all users. A strategy of complete streets transformation is to connect isolated complete street segments to form a complete network that improves active mobility and public transit ridership.

This research assessed the impact of efficiently and equitably connecting and expanding the biking …

Youth Pitching Kinematics: Associations With Body Overweight Parameters, Christina K. Fong

Master's Theses

The objective of this study was to investigate associations between injury-related kinematic parameters and overweight measures for youth baseball pitchers. The injury-related kinematic parameters considered were measurements 1) at foot contact: stride length, front foot position, shoulder external rotation, shoulder abduction, and elbow flexion; 2) between FC and ball release: peak knee extension; and 3) at BR: shoulder abduction. Data from three separate collection sites examined pitching mechanics of 18 10- to 11-year-old pitchers, 11 14- to 16-year-old pitchers, and 104 16- to 18-year-old pitchers Linear regression analyses were performed to determine significant correlations between kinematic parameters and body mass …

Development Of A Prototype Ball-And-Plate Balancing Platform, Scott J. Mangin

Master's Theses

Ball-and-plate balancing platforms have been utilized throughout academia to further understanding of nonlinearities that can occur when applying control algorithms to nonholonomic and underactuated systems. The objective of this thesis is to build upon an existing ball-and-plate balancing platform used in the Intro to Mechatronics class and create a robust platform system that can be utilized by future students to test various controller designs derived from MATLAB/Simulink®. The ball-and-plate platform design uses a myriad of sensors to track the system components in real time: a resistive touch panel is used to track the position of the ball on the plate, …

Aeroelastic Analysis Of Small-Scale Aircraft, Kent Roberts

Master's Theses

The structural design of flight vehicles is a balancing act between maximizing loading capability while minimizing weight. An engineer must consider not only the classical static structural yielding failure of a vehicle, but a variety of ways in which structural deformations can in turn, affect the loading conditions driving those deformations. Lift redistribution, divergence, and flutter are exactly such dynamic aeroelastic phenomena that must be properly characterized during the design of a vehicle; to do otherwise is to risk catastrophe. Relevant within the university context is the design of small-scale aircraft for student projects and of particular consideration, the DBF …

Bone And Cartilage Compression Simulator, Karoline M. Wucherer, Benjamin A. Parmentier, Thomasina E. Hinkle

Biomedical Engineering

A device was developed that delivers mechanical loads to bone and soft tissue samples under physiological conditions to aid in the research of tissue engineering bone and cartilage. To begin the design process, a Network Diagram and Gantt Chart were produced to create a general timeline for the project to follow. This allowed us to measure our progress and determine what effects (if any) delays could have on our project.

Live Cell Imaging Gas Control, Elsa M. Bean, Brady C. Berg, Abby A. Jens

Biomedical Engineering

The following document outlines the entire process for designing and manufacturing a Live Cell Imaging Gas Control subsystem in tandem with the Heated Stage subsystem to make a CO₂ and temperature-controlled chamber for use with the Olympus IX73P2F Microscope. It highlights the current literature and patents surrounding live cell imaging and touches on the existing live cell imaging setups currently being used by other entities. Following this, it defines the scope of the project, key customer requirements, and engineering specifications to ensure the design meets all the needs of its users. This document includes project planning steps to establish …

Load Slammer Design For Dc-Dc Converter Testing, Jonathan Hidalgo, Quinton Lacomb

Electrical Engineering

In this work, we dive into the detailed design of a test load or load slammer circuit for DC/DC converters to ensure their correct functioning. This is accomplished through quick variations in frequency, amplitude, and duty cycle of the current being drawn by the converter into the load. Computer simulations of the design were performed using LTSpice and the results show that the load current could be varied per design objectives. Hardware implementation of the design was also conducted and then tested. Results were then compared with the design requirements at lower currents to evaluate the validity of the design. …

Verification Of A Digital Microfluidics Platform, Karanpartap Singh

Electrical Engineering

The electrowetting effect describes the change in contact angle between a solid surface and electrolyte in response to an applied electric potential difference. Given a planar array of individually-actuated electrodes, electrowetting can be used to transport, mix, and separate picoliter to microliter-sized droplets of liquid on a dielectric layer. Applications of this phenomenon range from lab-on-a-chip and other microfluidic devices to liquid lenses capable of altering their topology and focus within milliseconds.

This project extends prior work simulating the dependence of droplet velocity on actuation voltage and demonstrates observed physics on a physical platform. The simulation portion of this project …

Smart Motor Syringe System, Connor Wilson

Electrical Engineering

In this document a proof-of-concept design is developed and implementation to showcase the latest development in an ongoing effort to produce a series of automated syringe pumps.

Underground Transmission For Renewable Energy: Design, Modeling, And Analysis, Matthew Suen

Master's Theses

A microgrid is a local energy grid that could be disconnected from the larger grid and operate autonomously. This particular segment of the power industry is growing due to its reliability during times of emergency and crisis. Among these benefits are improved efficiency, lower operating costs, renewable generation sources, and improved resiliency of the regional electric grid. Communities can better prepare for unprecedented weather like wildfires, hurricanes, and other natural disasters. Regions that produce renewable energy can export their surplus through high voltage transmission lines to balance power supply and demand needs.

This Underground High-Voltage Transmission Network project aims to …

Live Cell Imaging Heated Stage, Kerri Byrne, Anna Frauenheim, Simon Park

Biomedical Engineering

Live cell imaging is a method used by scientists to obtain a better understanding of tissue and cell functions through the study and imaging of cellular dynamics, however it is often detrimental to cell cultures due to effects of changing environment on dynamic cellular events. In order to combat the effects of a changing environment, our team has designed, manufactured, and tested an incubation chamber that will control the heat and pH environment that these cells are experiencing throughout the imaging process. This project is sponsored by the BMED microscopy core group to be used with the Olympus IX73P2F inverted …

Mechanical Horse Project, Hernan Ramirez Resendiz, Ben Apt

Mechanical Engineering

This document outlines our senior design project for the Cal Poly Mechanical Engineering Department on behalf of Jack’s Helping Hand. As a team of two Mechanical Engineering students, we developed a structure that can support a rider and can move in three degrees of freedom to model the gait patterns of a horse. This senior project will be continued by another group that will focus on electronics and implement the motors that will induce motion on the structure that our team has built. We collected baseline data by attaching an iPhone to a horse and used that motion to compare …

Development Of The Human Scale Twelve-Node Model, Tebrez W. Khan

Architectural Engineering

The attempted creation of a full-scale twelve-node model made of PVC pipe and golf balls. Intended use of the structure was for students to tactically learn from the model.

Effect Of Indentation On Sandwich Composite Structure Mechanical Behavior, Marius V. Jatulis

Master's Theses

Composite sandwich structures are prevalent in engineering applications where high strength to weight ratios are critical. A composite sandwich includes the addition of a core material between two composite face sheets to increase ultimate stress in compression and bending loading cases. The performance of many composite sandwich structure configurations is well understood in the undamaged case. This analysis examines a type of damage, low velocity indentation, and determines the effect on mechanical behavior. The scope of the analysis includes manufacturing sandwich composite structures, creating indentation in the composite, and testing the sandwich composite structure. The mechanical behavior of the composite …

Minivette Integrated Sample Prep Funnel For Cepheid Cartridges, Hanna N. Blumer, Sophia Arias, Camille Porciuncula, Ben Runkle

Biomedical Engineering

This report covers the redesign of the Sample Prep Funnel for Cepheid’s engineering team. The Sample Prep Funnel, responsible for relaying liquid from the sample collection device to the testing cartridge, experiences fluid loss that causes invalid test results. Our group's task was to redesign this funnel to minimize fluid loss and, overall, increase efficiency and effectiveness.

Pickleball Paddle For Minimizing Elbow/Shoulder Joint Forces, Kaley Sapper, Nick Rodgers, Claire Steines

Biomedical Engineering

The goal of this project was to design a pickleball paddle to prevent overuse injuries. This was accomplished through a design that minimizes joint forces experienced by the player during backhand strokes.

Living Off The Grid With Renewable Energy: A Case Study, Jake Reid O'Balle

Construction Management

The trend towards green, sustainable living is on the rise and the benefits are continuing to make noise in the world of homeowners. In this project, the benefits of renewable energy and consumer preferences were analyzed and applied to off-grid living in the form of a case study. It was found that the majority of homebuyers are concerned about the environment and wanted an environmentally friendly home but are not willing to pay more in order to achieve these desires. This information spurred the need for a detailed assessment of the feasibility of sustainable off-grid living. After conducting extensive research, …

A Case Study Comparing Panelization And Modularization Construction Methods, Tuukka Juhani Jaakkola

Construction Management

Construction industry is notoriously inefficient industry with a lot of room for improvement. Construction companies are constantly looking to increase their efficiency. NCC Finland decided to explore the method of modular construction as part of the efforts to increase production. NCC also happened to build a similarly sized project with the more traditional method of panelization and tilt-up construction. This Case study explores the experience of NCC as the general contractor of both projects. The aim is to understand the differences of the challenges and benefits experienced by the team from NCC. The findings show that Modular construction offers wide …

Investigating Student Interest In The Addition Of A Construction Law Topics Course, Flint D. Merrill-Gehrke

Construction Management

In the Construction Management program, our goal is to prepare for the responsibilities imposed upon us during a construction project. A major responsibility among these is navigating the complex legal relationships inherent to a construction project. While Cal Poly offers one Construction Law course, students are underprepared for what they will face. This project is designed to gauge interest from the Cal Poly Construction Management student body in the addition of a Construction Law topics course. It also aims to understand if additional legal studies would better prepare students for their entrance into the industry. Students were asked to answer …

Creating A Demolition Topic Course, Eli Jeremiah Lipton

Construction Management

Demolition is as old as construction itself and has always played an integral role in the construction process. That is, however, not the reality of the Construction Management (CM) program at California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly). The current curriculum covers a wide range of topics and prepares students to be able to join any residential, commercial, and heavy civil projects. These projects all have something in common, the demolition process. Undergraduates are not prepared with the basic demolition knowledge to be successful in the industry. Demolition is overlooked at Cal Poly and is not a primary focus in any …

The Development And Evaluation Of A New Trench Safety Equipment, Joshua D. Clesi

Construction Management

One of the most dangerous works in construction is trench work and excavation. Fatalities that range from permanent injuries to death happen to construction workers every day, not having a lot of alternatives to prevent unfortunate incidents such as cave-ins and shoring failures. What this paper is proposing is a new invention that may solve this ongoing problem with trench safety. The idea is a crane-like lift attached to the back of a pick-up truck that will vertically lift people out of the trenches in a matter of seconds before shoring collapses or the trench caves in. This project primarily …

The Integration Of Virtual Reality In The Commercial Construction Industry, Justin T. Gin

Construction Management

Virtual reality has recently been spreading throughout the commercial construction industry rapidly. Some of its capabilities are safety training, helping spot Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) issues, logistics planning, and virtual walkthroughs. Many construction companies were starting to utilize virtual reality's advantages until COVID-19 hit. The initial wave of COVID slowed down construction in general as well as the need or use of virtual reality. Now, some companies are worried about the health risks and implementation issues that virtual reality headsets might bring while other companies are optimistic about the future of virtual reality. This report will explore the different …

Using Project Production Methodology To Compare Onsite Prefabrication Steel Erection To Traditional Stick-Built, Corinne R. Nalder

Construction Management

Project production management provides continuity, predictability, and optimization of a process in comparison to the traditional approach of project management. Prefabrication is an example of project production management in which there is continuity of the product, reduced variability, and where the assembly process can be altered for best results. This paper will examine the benefits of project production management and compare two methods of steel erection in which one method performs an onsite prefabrication process while the other method employs the traditional stick-built process. The two methods will be modeled by a tool that replicates a repetitive process similar to …

Analysis Of The Potential Structure Of A Peer Mentorship Program For The Construction Management Department At Cal Poly, Slo, Jane C. Runte

Construction Management

The Construction Management Department at Cal Poly, SLO has no structured peer mentorship program as of 2022. The department has attempted to implement a peer mentoring program in the past but none with longevity. This paper analyzes data collected from the students of the CM Department through a qualitative and quantitative survey regarding the need and structure of a peer mentorship program to begin again. The survey’s main goal was to gain an understanding of whether or not the students think the department should implement a peer mentorship program and the structure that the student body would find most beneficial …

Sustainability Within Asphalt And Concrete Paving Systems, Matthew Clapp

Construction Management

The construction industry is continually determining ways to make the building process more streamlined, cost efficient and, more recently, sustainable. As the commercial construction industry becomes more structured, industry leaders are looking for new ways to make installation of materials and cleanup more environmentally friendly. Construction is responsible for a large portion of the overall harm toward the environment. Although the commercial sector has made great strides toward this effort in the last fifty years with programs such as LEED, there is still much to be taken into consideration. The goal of this research is to analyze the current trends …

Gnss Construction Surveying, Jake C. Carter

Construction Management

This Senior Project examines world of cutting-edge surveying technology which will be implemented into Cal Poly’s Construction Management 239 Construction Surveying course. It creates a field exercise for student learning that mimics the application the of Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) and how they are used in the construction industry. The new exercise includes the use of GNSS receivers, base hubs, field computers, and a Topcon MAGNET Field application. From the research phase to the training/learning phase to the implementation of the assignment into the course this project embodied the “Learn-By-Doing” philosophy. This project was successful in demonstrating how GNSS …