Engineering Commons^™

Implementation Of Multivariate Artificial Neural Networks Coupled With Genetic Algorithms For The Multi-Objective Property Prediction And Optimization Of Emulsion Polymers, David Chisholm

Master's Theses

Machine learning has been gaining popularity over the past few decades as computers have become more advanced. On a fundamental level, machine learning consists of the use of computerized statistical methods to analyze data and discover trends that may not have been obvious or otherwise observable previously. These trends can then be used to make predictions on new data and explore entirely new design spaces. Methods vary from simple linear regression to highly complex neural networks, but the end goal is similar. The application of these methods to material property prediction and new material discovery has been of high interest …

Compositional Optimization Of Amyloid-Graphene Oxide Nanohybrids For Biomaterials, Claire L. Drewery

Materials Engineering

Amyloid nanofibrils are natural materials capable of self-assembling into precise structures with tunable functionalities, while exhibiting excellent mechanical properties. In combination with highly conductive graphene oxide (GO), the 1-D amyloid nanofibrils and 2-D nanosheets of GO can produce a robust and bio-functional nanohybrid, hypothesized to exhibit multi-domain functional properties useful for enzyme sensing, water purification, drug delivery, and tissue scaffolding applications. Here, we examine the properties of an amyloid-graphene oxide nanohybrid film made with amyloids derived from hen egg white lysozymes in an attempt to explore the diverse toolbox of amyloid derivatives and establish ideal fabrication methods and formulations of …

Nano-Enhanced Composite Membranes For Water Desalination, Benjamin Fredrik Victor Sundling Von Fürstenrecht

Materials Engineering

In theory single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) will aid in ion rejection due hydrophobicity and smoothness of the SWCNT. An efficient means of water desalination utilizing SWCNT in a membrane seems plausible. A lyotropic liquid crystal (LLC) solution was made with a synthesized polymerizable surfactant methacryloxy ethyl hexadecyl dimethyl ammonium bromide (C16MA) to help with vertical alignment of SWCNT. Due to SWCNT lack of solubility and tendency to agglomerate in water, a dispersion performed using an inert surfactant centrimonium bromide (CTAB) to make sure that the SWCNT were homogeneously dispersed in the solution without altering the hexagonal packing factor of …

Investigation Of Copper Infiltration Alloys For Use In Metal Matrix Composite Drill Bits, Samuel J. Stueland, Timothy P. Markiewicz

Materials Engineering

A newly developed copper-based alloy, P98-X1 was tested for compressive strength to predict qualitative performance compared to MF53, F-Bronze, CuNiSn, and CuMnNi for use as the infiltration alloy in metal matrix composite (MMC) drill bits. Ingots of each alloy were cast using an arc furnace and cut into compression testing samples using wire electrical discharge machining (EDM). The alloys were selected for testing based on solid solution strengthening coefficient and melting point. Five of each alloy were compression tested to determine yield strength of the infiltration alloy. Yield strength was determined using a 0.002mm displacement offset from the linear elastic …

Rotating Beam Fatigue Of Forged 2219-T852 Aluminum Alloy, Julio Escamilla, Madison Reed

Materials Engineering

2219 aluminum has been used extensively in aerospace applications due to its ability to retain strength in large section thicknesses, thus making it ideal for large forgings. However, the Metallic Materials Properties Development and Standardization (MMPDS) handbook, a source of design data for aerospace industry applications, lacks information on 2219 in the T852 condition, particularly concerning the behavior of the alloy under cyclic loading conditions. Data was collected for forgings of 2219-T852 aluminum as produced by Weber Metals to determine the fatigue life of the alloy-temper combination and to assess the effects of forge thickness and orientation on fatigue life. …

Cisco Nexus 9200 Robustness Redesign, Colin Berge, Ethan Gold, Cole Christopherson, Rahul Makhijani

Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

Certain configurations of Cisco's Nexus 9200 product experienced issues with bending during shipping. Two solutions were developed to eliminate this problem: an external brace that could quickly address the problem yet was expensive and unsustainable, and a redesigned chassis, which was more economical but came with a longer time to implement. Real world packaging and shipping conditions were simulated in SolidWorks and Finite Element Analysis was used to model the stresses experienced when the product is dropped. Both designs were found to significantly reduce stress in critical areas, thus reducing the chance of failure and the cost of the problem. …

An Investigation Of The Anomalous Thrust Capabilities Of The Electromagnetic Drive, Hannah J. Simons

Physics

The Electromagnetic Drive (EMDrive) is a propellant-less engine concept hypothesized by aero- space engineer Roger Shawyer. Shawyer’s proposed thruster technology is grounded on the theory of electromagnetic resonant behavior exhibited by a radiofrequency cavity, though the source of any generated thrust is undetermined by current physical laws. NASA Eagleworks Laboratories at John- son Space Center conducted a vacuum test campaign to investigate previously reported anomalous thrust capabilities of such a closed radiofrequency cavity, using a low-thrust torsion pendulum. The team published positive, although small-scaled thrust results in 2017. Following NASA Eagleworks breakthrough result and operating under the assumption that the …

Weight Controlled Electric Skateboard, Zachary Barram, Carson Bertozzi, Vishnu Dodballapur

Computer Engineering

Technology and the way that humans interact is becoming more vital and omnipresent with every passing day. However, human interface device designers suffer from the increasingly popular “designed for me or people like me” syndrome. This design philosophy inherently limits accessibility and usability of technology to those like the designer. This places severe limits of usability to those who are not fully able as well as leaves non-traditional human interface devices unexplored. This project set out to explore a previously uncharted human interface device, on an electric skateboard, and compare it send user experience with industry leading human interface devices.

Fire Protection System Analysis Of Warren J. Baker Center Of Science And Mathematics, Jacob Dentici

Fire Protection Engineering: Culminating Experience Project Reports

This report analyzes the different fire protection systems and features of the Warren J. Baker Center for Science and Mathematics at the California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo campus. This building is used for lectures, laboratories, study spaces, faculty spaces, and storage spaces for the students and faculty at the Cal Poly campus. Typically, there are science and math courses taught within this building. The building is a 6-story structure, that is not classified as a high-rise due to the location of fire department access and has a five-story atrium located on levels 2 through 6. There are two …

Effects Of Heat Treatment On The Dimensional Stability And Mechanical Properties Of Guadua Bamboo, Kade Schmitz, Skye Dascher, Shalto Dascher

Materials Engineering

Contributing to about 4% of particulate emissions, the construction industry is one of the largest polluters of the environment. In an effort to reduce emissions, BamCore has produced a dual panel wall system made of Guadua bamboo with a Douglas fir veneer. Bamboo is a highly renewable material with a fast growth rate and carbon sequestration abilities. This project investigates how heat treating Guadua bamboo influences its dimensional changes and mechanical properties for building applications. It was found that a dimensional increase in every direction occurred for all samples when exposed to higher relative humidity (50% to 90%), and that …

Gaslamp Hotel-Fire Protection/Life Safety Analysis, Garner A. Palenske

Fire Protection Engineering: Culminating Experience Project Reports

The Gaslamp Hotel was analyzed for fire protection/life safety using two different methodologies; a prescriptive approach and a performance-based approach. Both considered the same features of the building. The prescriptive analyses studied the variation of the building’s fire protection/life safety components from those required by the applicable codes and standards. This included building construction, fire resistance, fire suppression, fire detection, smoke control system, and egress systems. The results of the analysis indicate that the building complies with the requirements of the applicable codes and standards, with three exceptions relating to occupant egress: 1) The first-floor bar area: One exit is …

Silverton Timeshare Tower “The Berkley”, Kevin Murphy

Fire Protection Engineering: Culminating Experience Project Reports

The Berkley (aka the Silverton Timeshare Tower) was reviewed for compliance with the code of record. This included review of the full architectural set of drawings, as well as the available Fire Protection Report and Amendments that were issued prior to and during construction. This analysis has been slowly performed throughout the extent of my graduate career at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly), and has been in depth for each applicable area of study. Each of the studies performed will be reviewed in the applicable sections below, be it for prescriptive analysis of the existing facility …

Cal Poly State University Robert E. Kennedy Library Fire Protection Analysis Report, Timothy Anderson

Fire Protection Engineering: Culminating Experience Project Reports

This report determines whether or not the fire protection and life safety features of Robert E. Kennedy Library are consistent with the fire protection objectives established in nationally recognized fire protection codes and standards. This analysis is performed to establish a technical baseline for identification of fire protection deficiencies.

Kennedy Library is the campus student library at California Polytechnic State University. The facility provides resources and services in a variety of media to meet the needs of university students and faculty.

This analysis consists of a prescriptive analysis and a performance-based analysis. The prescriptive analysis is an analysis of the …

Building V: Fire And Life Safety Analysis, Andrew Ko

Fire Protection Engineering: Culminating Experience Project Reports

A fire and life safety analysis was completed for Building V as part of a culminating project in the California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo Fire Protection Engineering Master’s Degree Program. This report will detail both a prescriptive design based on the 2013 California Building Code and applicable standards as well as a performance based analysis based on a design fire scenario.

The prescriptive design will discuss four main components of compliance: 1) Structural Fire Protection, 2) Fire Alarm, 3) Fire Sprinkler, and 4) Means of Egress. Structural fire protection analysis is separated into four parts: type of …

Fire Protection Engineering Final Report: Baylor Scott & White Medical Center, College Town, Tx, Jonathan Lo

Fire Protection Engineering: Culminating Experience Project Reports

This report examines the Baylor, Scott & White Medical Center in College Station, TX. This hospital is a 324,070 square feet midrise building of Type I-A construction and Group I-2 occupancy, with a basement and five above-grade floors. Publicly-available, simplified floor plans were obtained from the internet, and a prescriptive- and performance-based analysis was formed around these plans. It should be noted that these online plans may not contain all information and details in that are found in architectural plans, and that assumptions were made in order to ‘fill in the gaps’ and proceed with this report. For example, on …

Atx Storage: Fire And Life Safety Analysis, Perla Salcedo

Fire Protection Engineering: Culminating Experience Project Reports

The following report is a fire and hazard protection analysis of a new building. This new building is a self-storage building called ATX Storage locate in Austin, TX. The prescriptive requirements set by the codes and standards used at time of construction of the building have been met. The building has been properly classified with respect to occupancy as S1, Group B and R-3 and construction type II A Sprinklered. Appropriate design for interior partitions and exterior wall have been identified. Interior finish requirements have been analyzed for a better understanding of aesthetics guidelines. Based on the sprinkler drawing calculations, …

The Spheres, Justin Milne

Fire Protection Engineering: Culminating Experience Project Reports

The Spheres, an architectural masterpiece surrounded by a high-rise building complex, is in the heart of South Lake Union in Seattle, Washington. The Spheres building pushes limitations in building design on all levels. With hexecontahedron panels tessellated over the façade of its three spherical glass glaze greenhouse globes, the design affords futuristic personality, alongside energy efficacy while sustaining life within the building. While building innovations within The Spheres are certainly notable within all disciplines of Architecture, Engineering, and Construction, the contents of this report refer to fire protection engineering and code consulting elements.

In meeting The Spheres' required fire safety …

A Fire Protection Analysis Of Kipp Academy Of Opportunity, Shahrzad Alaei

Fire Protection Engineering: Culminating Experience Project Reports

The purpose of this report is to analyze and assess the life safety and fire protections systems of the KIPP Academy of Opportunity (KAO) charter school located in South Los Angeles. KAO is a 3-story building with a total area of 27,429 ft2 that was originally built in 2003 to serve 400 students.

Two separate fire and life safety assessments were performed in this project to ensure the building meets the requirements by the building code and fire safety standards. The prescriptive based analysis includes assessment of structural design, construction materials, egress design, fire alarm, communication system, fire suppression system, …

Production Optimization Of Ring-Banded Spherulitic Crystals Of Poly (3-Butylthiophene-2,5-Diyl) Using Controlled Solution Evaporation, Frederick Paul Henderson Iii

Materials Engineering

Conductive polymers can carry a charge due to the presence of excess electrons along the carbon backbone. By growing these polymers into crystals, the usual insulative isotropic matrix that polymers form will be replaced with anisotropic regions where conduction is possible parallel to the crystal lattice growth direction. In previous research, while growing sphere shaped crystals it was observed that a few would exhibit rings that formed parallel to the circumference of the sphere. In this project, the conditions to produce this ring structure were examined by looking at two polymer solutions (with carbon disulfide or dichlorobenzene as solvent) and …

A Study And Simulation Of Flux Induced Corrosion In Copper Tubing Used For The Distribution Of Potable Water, Daniel O. Benham

Materials Engineering

Water side corrosion within copper plumbing can occur due to a wide variety of unwanted circumstances. Through the controlled immersion of six ¾” copper tubing samples with five utilizing a unique industry standard soldering flux, this investigation associates residual flux deposits with the initiation of pitting in copper. Water stagnation in a copper potable water distribution system, typically associated with an infrequently used faucet, is a condition highly prone to copper pitting. A test apparatus designed to produce a partially stagnant flow condition with scheduled electrolyte flushes every 3 days was developed and constructed to contain 6 test samples for …

The Impact Of Preheat On 2205 Duplex Stainless Steel Welds, Angelee G. Q. Breuninger, Iris I. Li, Cristian V. Sion

Materials Engineering

The goal of this project is to determine the relationship between preheat temperature and phase balance of austenite and ferrite in the heat affected zone (HAZ) of a dissimilar thickness weld made of Sandvik SAF 2205 duplex stainless steel (DSS). Various preheat temperatures were applied (no preheat, 63°C, 98 °C, 141 °C, 181 °C, and 214 °C) to a 2-inch thick plate that was welded to a 0.072-inch thin sheet, with a 0.125-inch standoff, using manual gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW). Welding variables (voltage, amperage, and travel speed) were recorded and thermocouples were placed along the backside of the weld, …

Investigation Of The Encapsulation Efficiency Of Hexanal In Y-Cyclodextrin Metal Organic Frameworks, Travis J. Lang

Materials Engineering

Nanoporous materials have been extensively studied for applications such as drug delivery and organic compound storage. The nanoporous material of this study is a metal organic framework (MOF) which is a coordination of metal ions with organic binders. The structure created by this coordination can be used to absorb organic compounds, such as plant growth regulators, and subsequently release the organic compounds over a prolonged period to extend the storage life of foods. This study is examining the encapsulation efficiency of hexanal in γ-cyclodextrin metal organic frameworks (γ-CDMOFs) as a mechanism for potential active packaging applications. γ-CDMOFs were synthesized by …

Moisture Characterization Of Thermoplastics And Thermosets For Use As Matrices In Fiber Reinforced Composites, Kieran Hook, Ray Hsu

Materials Engineering

Epoxy matrix composites are widely used in aerospace industry for lighter aircraft while thermoplastic-matrix composites have traditionally been underutilized despite their excellent fracture resistance, impact strength, and the ability to be recycled. Toray Advanced Composites (Morgan Hill, CA) wants to investigate the structural integrity of thermoplastic matrices in common aircraft operating environments. An experiment was conducted to observe the effect of moisture absorption on thermoplastic composites’ mechanical strength. PEEK, PPS, and PEI matrices were compared to an epoxy matrix in this experiment. Samples were submerged in 160ºF distilled water to accelerate moisture absorption. For two months, the changes in mass …

Microstructural Transformation Of Cold-Sprayed Grcop-42 For Rocket Engine Combustion Chamber Liners, Mason Souther

Materials Engineering

Rocket engines have always relied on high-conductivity copper liners to protect structural components from extreme thermal loads produced by combustion. Forged NARloy-Z has been the material of choice for decades but increasing cost of its constituent silver and high waste in the machining process has reduced the alloy’s cost effectiveness. Aerojet Rocketdyne wants to determine the viability of cold-spray additively manufactured GRCop-42 as a replacement alloy to reduce liner cost. Screening tests were performed to observe the microstructural development and microhardness changes of cold-sprayed GRCop-42 after being subjected to multiple stages of the typical heat treatment of a combustion chamber …

Weld Fracture Between C450 Stainless And C300 Maraging Steels In Golf Club Heads, Emily Oreste, Shea Costner

Materials Engineering

This project studied fractures along the weld on the face of TaylorMade metalwood golf clubs. The weld joint investigated was between investment cast C450 stainless steel and hot rolled C300 maraging steel that had been joined by plasma arc welding (PAW). Cracking in the welds between these two metals was discovered during in-house prototype testing. To understand the differences between the clubs with intact weld joints and clubs with fractured weld joints, the microstructures throughout the weld zones were imaged and a grid of microhardness values of the entire sample cross-section was generated. The images and hardness values were analyzed …

Investment Cast C450 Microstructural Characterization In Golf Club Heads, Kenneth Yin-Fai Lau

Materials Engineering

Two types of tensile bars were observed in this study of golf iron heads for TaylorMade Golf. As-cast and as-cast then machined tensile bars. The tensile bars underwent tensile tests to observe tensile strength, percent elongation, and fracture mechanisms. Furthermore, the hardness of the tensile bars was also taken despite seeing no difference in sample types. However, the as-cast samples did not consistently meet the requirements of percent elongation > 10.00% as there was a sample with 0.00% and another with 1.26%. These samples also showed brittle fracture, instead of the desired cup-and- cone ductile fracture. To investigate further, transverse sections …

Minimizing The Dimensional Change In Two Component Epoxy Based Thermoset Adhesives Through Adapting Mix Ratio And Initial Crosslink Density, Jefferson Peter Norman

Materials Engineering

Meissner Filtration uses amine-hardened epoxy as a high-performance adhesive to encapsulate hollow fiber membranes at the ends of rigid filter housings. Dimensional change of the epoxy while curing can result in residual stress formation that is detrimental to the manufacturing of the filter and causes structural integrity issues when the filter is used in industrial processes where heating and cooling cycles are implemented. The residual stresses can cause cracks, microscopic fractures, and delamination from the housing, resulting in failure of the filter. The goal of this project was to evaluate how changes in processing conditions could minimize dimensional variability due …

Non-Toxic Soil Thickeners For Reducing Mudslide Intensity, Miranda Miao, Isaac Blackburn, Erika Haley Yao

Materials Engineering

Non-toxic food thickeners were investigated as a solution for thickening mud to mitigate the effects of mudslides. All soil was obtained from a site on the California Polytechnic State University campus where a mudslide occurred in 2017. Guar gum was mixed into the soil at 1 wt% and 10 wt% of the moisture content in the soil. Whey protein was mixed into the soil at 2 wt% and 19 wt% of the moisture content in the soil. The soils’ liquid limit was found using the Casagrande cup testing method. Liquid limit testing indicated that thickeners raised the liquid limit, most …

Mechanical Tear Testing And Failure Analysis Of Armordillo® Textile For Future Comparison With Next Generation Replacement Textiles, Jordan Bryce Pohl

Materials Engineering

ArmorDillo^® is a heavy-duty, waterproof textile designed to protect valuable equipment against outdoor elements such as rain, dirt, salt, ultraviolet rays, and damage from other external factors that is manufactured by Transhield^® USA and is currently in service with many branches of the United States Armed Forces, primarily the United States NAVY. Due to emerging security threats to classified military hardware the US NAVY through the United States Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) is actively researching and sourcing a textile replacement for ArmorDillo^® to meet these threats. This study investigates the mechanical durability of ArmorDillo^® under …

Gold Tree Solar Farm - Machine Learning To Predict Solar Power Generation, Jonathon T. Scott

Computer Science and Software Engineering

Solar energy causes a strain on the electrical grid because of the uncontrollable nature of the factors that affect power generation. Utilities are often required to balance solar generation facilities to meet consumer demand, which often includes the costly process of activating/deactivating a fossil fuel facility. Therefore, there is considerable interest in increasing the accuracy and the granularity of solar power generation predictions in order to reduce the cost of grid management. This project aims to evaluate how sky imaging technology may contribute to the accuracy of those predictions.