Engineering Commons^™

Development Of A Data Acquisition System For Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (Uav) System Identification, Donald Joseph Lear

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Aircraft system identification techniques are developed for fixed wing Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV). The use of a designed flight experiment with measured system inputs/outputs can be used to derive aircraft stability derivatives. This project set out to develop a methodology to support an experiment to model pitch damping in the longitudinal short-period mode of a UAV. A Central Composite Response Surface Design was formed using angle of attack and power levels as factors to test for the pitching moment coefficient response induced by a multistep pitching maneuver.

Selecting a high-quality data acquisition platform was critical to the success of the …

Implementation Of A Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (Mcda) Toolkit To Aid In Ranking Naval Mission Vessel Combinations With Uncertainty, Andrew R. Miller

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Theses & Dissertations

United States (U.S.) military bases have largely been constructed outside of the contiguous United States (OCONUS) due to the need of close support logistics for conflicts and wars. In contrast, military bases within the contiguous United States (CONUS) have been constructed mostly due to economic and other related monetary factors. In addition to monetary concerns for the placement of military bases (specifically naval bases), there exists tactical, environmental, cultural, climate, logistical, and geographical issues that need to be fully considered before deciding on a naval installation location and the vessels to be stationed there. I will present a new toolkit …

Using Optimality Theory And Reference Points To Improve The Diversity And Convergence Of A Fuzzy-Adaptive Multi-Objective Particle Swarm Optimizer, Amit A. Kulkarni

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) has received increasing attention from the evolutionary optimization research community in the last twenty years. PSO is a metaheuristic approach based on collective intelligence obtained by emulating the swarming behavior of bees. A number of multi-objective variants of the original PSO algorithm that extend its applicability to optimization problems with conflicting objectives have also been developed; these multi-objective PSO (MOPSO) algorithms demonstrate comparable performance to other state-of-the-art metaheuristics. The existence of multiple optimal solutions (Pareto-optimal set) in optimization problems with conflicting objectives is not the only challenge posed to an optimizer, as the latter needs to …

Computational Methods For Nonlinear Systems Analysis With Applications In Mathematics And Engineering, Geoffrey Kenneth Rose

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

An investigation into current methods and new approaches for solving systems of nonlinear equations was performed. Nontraditional methods for implementing arc-length type solvers were developed in search of a more robust capability for solving general systems of nonlinear algebraic equations. Processes for construction of parameterized curves representing the many possible solutions to systems of equations versus finding single or point solutions were established. A procedure based on these methods was then developed to identify static equilibrium states for solutions to multi-body-dynamic systems. This methodology provided for a pictorial of the overall solution to a given system, which demonstrated the possibility …

Development And Validation Of A Hybrid Virtual/Physical Nuss Procedure Surgical Trainer, Mohammad F. Obeid

Computational Modeling & Simulation Engineering Theses & Dissertations

With continuous advancements and adoption of minimally invasive surgery, proficiency with nontrivial surgical skills involved is becoming a greater concern. Consequently, the use of surgical simulation has been increasingly embraced by many for training and skill transfer purposes. Some systems utilize haptic feedback within a high-fidelity anatomically-correct virtual environment whereas others use manikins, synthetic components, or box trainers to mimic primary components of a corresponding procedure.

Surgical simulation development for some minimally invasive procedures is still, however, suboptimal or otherwise embryonic. This is true for the Nuss procedure, which is a minimally invasive surgery for correcting pectus excavatum (PE) – …

A Correlational Study Of Sansec Sensors’ Electric Field Distribution On Lightning Attachment, Kayla M. Farrow

Electrical & Computer Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Old Dominion University and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Langley Research Center (LaRC) Aviation Safety Program Atmospheric Environmental Safety Technologies Project team conducted research in using SansEC (Sans Electric Connection) sensors to provide lightning strike protection (LSP) and damage mitigation for composite aircraft. SansEC sensors are simplistic devices consisting of an open circuit conductive trace, shaped in a planar geometric spiral [1], [2], [3]. SansEC sensors can be designed in various shapes and sizes depending on the application. For applications on exterior aircraft surfaces, the sensor must be designed to perform the required lightning strike protection [1], [3]. …

Emergency Diesel-Electric Generator Set Maintenance And Test Periodicity, Stephen John Fehr

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Manufacturer and industry recommendations vary considerably for maintenance and tests of emergency diesel-electric generator sets in emergency standby duty. There is little consistency among generator sets of similar technology, and manufacturers and their representatives often provide contradictory guidance. As a result, periodicity of emergency diesel-electric generator set maintenance and tests varies considerably in practice. Utilizing the framework proposed and tested by Fehr (2014), this research developed a parametric regression survival model of the reliability of modern diesel-electric generator sets in emergency standby duty as a function of maintenance, age, and cumulative run hours. A survival regression technique leveraging Cox’s (1972) …

Enhancement Of Thermoelectric Properties Of Ald Synthesized Pbte And Pbse By Phonon Engineering, Xin Chen

Electrical & Computer Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Thermoelectrics is a green renewable energy technology that plays an important role in power generation due to its potential in generating electricity out of waste heat. The main challenge for the development of thermoelectrics is its low conversion efficiency. One key strategy to improve conversion efficiency is focused on reducing the thermal conductivity of thermoelectric materials. In this thesis, the novel phononic engineering concept was implemented by conformal ALD deposition of PbTe, PbSe thermoelectric films, and PbTe/PbSe nanolaminates on patterned silicon substrates in order to improve the thermoelectric performance of the thermoelectric films. The silicon substrates were lithographically patterned with …

Thermally Assisted Pulsed Electric Field Ablation For Cancer Therapy, James Michael Hornef

Biomedical Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Pulsed Electric Fields (PEF) have promised improved treatment results in a variety of cancer types including melanoma, pancreatic and lung squamous cancer. Recent studies show that PEF-based cancer therapy may be improved further with the assistance of moderate heating of the target. Experiments were performed to design, calibrate and implement a feedback-looped infrared laser irradiation system that could maintain specified temperatures during the treatment. The exact treatment area, penetration depth and thermal distribution of a 980-nm laser fiber were quantified using several methods, including the knife-edge technique and a tissue optical property study. In vivo and in vitro experiments using …

A Systems-Based Framework For Design And Analysis Of An R And D Structure, Polinpapilinho F. Katina, Charles B. Keating, Luna M. Magpili

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Faculty Publications

A critical challenge for managerial effectiveness and competitive advantage in research and development (R and D) organizations is developing an appropriate structural configuration. However, in finding an appropriate structural configuration, R and D managers are faced with unprecedented levels of uncertainty, ambiguity, and accelerating complexity, coupled with demands for increased productivity. This paper develops a systems-based framework to support rigorous design, analysis, and transformation of the structure for R and D organizations. The framework development includes: (1) a review of the literature for the nature and role of the structure in R and D management; (2) setting of the R …

Delayed Hypersensitivity To Nanosecond Pulsed Electric Field In Electroporated Cells, Sarah D. Jensen, Vera A. Khorokhorina, Claudia Muratori, Andrei G. Pakhomov, Olga N. Pakhomova

Bioelectrics Publications

We demonstrate that conditioning of mammalian cells by electroporation with nanosecond pulsed electric field (nsPEF) facilitates their response to the next nsPEF treatment. The experiments were designed to unambiguously separate the electroporation-induced sensitization and desensitization effects. Electroporation was achieved by bursts of 300-ns, 9 kV/cm pulses (50 Hz, n = 3–100) and quantified by propidium dye uptake within 11 min after the nsPEF exposure. We observed either sensitization to nsPEF or no change (when the conditioning was either too weak or too intense, or when the wait time after conditioning was too short). Within studied limits, conditioning never caused desensitization. …

Damage-Free Peripheral Nerve Stimulation By 12-Ns Pulsed Electric Field, Maura Casciola, Shu Xiao, Andrei G. Pakhomov

Bioelectrics Publications

Modern technologies enable deep tissue focusing of nanosecond pulsed electric field (nsPEF) for non-invasive nerve and muscle stimulation. However, it is not known if PEF orders of magnitude shorter than the activation time of voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSC) would evoke action potentials (APs). One plausible scenario requires the loss of membrane integrity (electroporation) and resulting depolarization as an intermediate step. We report, for the first time, that the excitation of a peripheral nerve can be accomplished by 12-ns PEF without electroporation. 12-ns stimuli at 4.1-11 kV (3.3-8.8 kV/cm) evoked APs similarly to conventional stimuli (100-250 mus, 1-5 V, 103-515 V/m), …

Controllable Moderate Heating Enhances The Therapeutic Efficacy Of Irreversible Electroporation For Pancreatic Cancer, Chelsea M. Edelblute, James Hornef, Niculina I. Burcus, Thomas Norman, Stephen J. Beebe, Karl Schoenbach, Richard Heller, Chunqi Jiang, Sigi Guo

Bioelectrics Publications

Irreversible electroporation (IRE) as a non-thermal tumor ablation technology has been studied for the treatment of pancreatic carcinoma and has shown a significant survival benefit. We discovered that moderate heating (MH) at 43°C for 1-2 minutes significantly enhanced ex vivo IRE tumor ablation of Pan02 cells by 5.67-fold at 750 V/cm and by 1.67-fold at 1500 V/cm. This amount of heating alone did not cause cell death. An integrated IRE system with controllable laser heating and tumor impedance monitoring was developed to treat mouse ectopic pancreatic cancer. With this novel IRE system, we were able to heat and maintain the …

The Effect Of Magnification Loupes On Dental Hygienists' Posture While Exploring, Emily Ludwig, Gayle B. Mccombs, Susan L. Tolle, Daniel M. Russell

Dental Hygiene Faculty Publications

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of dental magnification loupes on posture during instrumentation.

Methods: A convenience sample of 27 right-handed dental hygienists, with no prior history of injuries or disabilities of the head, neck, or trunk region, enrolled in the study. Baseline posture calibration was taken and tri-axial accelerometers were placed on four locations of the head and trunk (occipital region of head; cervical vertebrae C5; thoracic vertebrae T5; lumbar vertebrae L1) to measure acceleration and the orientation of the body to gravity. Participants were randomly assigned to wear self-supplied magnification loupes during either …

Optimal Control-Based Inverse Determination Of Electrode Distribution For Electroosmotic Micromixer, Yuan Li, Yongbo Deng, Zhenyu Liu, Teng Zhou, Yihui Wu, Shizhi Qian

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Faculty Publications

This paper presents an optimal control-based inverse method used to determine the distribution of the electrodes for the electroosmotic micromixers with external driven flow from the inlet. Based on the optimal control method, one Dirichlet boundary control problem is constructed to inversely find the optimal distribution of the electrodes on the sidewalls of electroosmotic micromixers and achieve the acceptable mixing performance. After solving the boundary control problem, results are also provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method; the step-shaped distribution of the external electric potential imposed on the sidewalls is obtained, and the electrodes with an interlaced arrangement …

Defects In Skeletal Muscle Subsarcolmmal Mitochondria In A Non-Obese Model Of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Nicola Lai, China Kummitha, Charles Hoppel

Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

Skeletal muscle resistance to insulin is related to accumulation of lipid-derived products, but it is not clear whether this accumulation is caused by skeletal muscle mitochondrial dysfunction. Diabetes and obesity are reported to have a selective effect on the function of subsarcolemmal and interfibrillar mitochondria in insulin-resistant skeletal muscle. The current study investigated the role of the subpopulations of mitochondria in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance in the absence of obesity. A non-obese spontaneous rat model of type 2 diabetes mellitus, (Goto-Kakizaki), was used to evaluate function and biochemical properties in both populations of skeletal muscle mitochondria. In subsarcolemmal mitochondria, …

Nanostructure Evolution Of Magnetron Sputtered Hydrogenated Silicon Thin Films, Dipendra Adhikari, Maxwell M. Junda, Sylvain X. Marsillac, Robert W. Collins, Nikolas J. Podraza

Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

Hydrogenated silicon (Si:H) thin films have been prepared by radio frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering. The effect of hydrogen gas concentration during sputtering on the resultant film structural and optical properties has been investigated by real time spectroscopic ellipsometry (RTSE) and grazing incidence x-ray diffraction (GIXRD). The analysis of in-situ RTSE data collected during sputter deposition tracks the evolution of surface roughness and film bulk layer thickness with time. Growth evolution diagrams depicting amorphous, nanocrystalline and mixed-phase regions for low and high deposition rate Si:H are constructed and the effects of process parameter (hydrogen gas concentration, total pressure and RF power) …

Anaplasma Phagocytophilum Infection Modulates Expression Of Megakaryocyte Cell Cycle Genes Through Phosphatidylinositol-3-Kinase Signaling, Supreet Khanal, Hameeda Sultana, John D. Catravas, Jason A. Carlyon, Girish Neelakanta

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Anaplasma phagocytophilum, the agent of human granulocytic anaplasmosis infects neutrophils and other cells from hematopoietic origin. Using human megakaryocytic cell line, MEG-01, we show that expression of cell cycle genes in these cells are altered upon A. phagocytophilum infection. Expression of several cell cycle genes in MEG-01 cells was significantly up regulated at early and then down regulated at later stages of A. phagocytophilum infection. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assays revealed reduced cellular cytotoxicity in MEG-01 cells upon A. phagocytophilum infection. The levels of both PI3KCA (p110 alpha, catalytic subunit) and PI3KR1 (p85, regulatory subunit) of Class …

Inertization, Utilization, And Safe Disposal Of Incineration Residues, Anil Mehrotra

Civil & Environmental Engineering Projects for D. Eng. Degree

Combustion of coal or Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) caused air pollution and produces solid residues which contain high levels of toxic elements. The toxic characteristics of residues generated from combustion of MSW in waste-to-energy plants are strictly controlled by Federal and State Waste Management Regulations. According to Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), residue generated from combustion of MSW is considered hazardous and must be tested according to EPA Toxic Characteristics Leaching Procedure (TCLP) Method 1311 and suitably treated for its safe disposal to landfills. Experiments with various treatment chemicals as primary independent variable had earlier been conducted by several …

Nanosecond Electric Pulses Differentially Affect Inward And Outward Currents In Patch Clamped Adrenal Chromaffin Cells, Lisha Yang, Gale L. Craviso, P. Thomas Vernier, Indira Chatterjee, Normand Leblanc

Bioelectrics Publications

This study examined the effect of 5 ns electric pulses on macroscopic ionic currents in whole-cell voltage-clamped adrenal chromaffin cells. Current-voltage (I-V) relationships first established that the early peak inward current was primarily composed of a fast voltage-dependent Na⁺ current (I_Na), whereas the late outward current was composed of at least three ionic currents: a voltage-gated Ca²⁺ current (I_Ca), a Ca²⁺-activated K⁺ current (I_K(Ca)), and a sustained voltage-dependent delayed rectifier K⁺ current (I_KV). A constant-voltage step protocol was next used to monitor peak inward and late …

Initiating Event Analysis Of A Lithium Fluoride Thorium Reactor, Nicholas Charles Geraci

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Theses & Dissertations

The primary purpose of this study is to perform an Initiating Event Analysis for a Lithium Fluoride Thorium Reactor (LFTR) as the first step of a Probabilistic Safety Assessment (PSA). The major objective of the research is to compile a list of key initiating events capable of resulting in failure of safety systems and release of radioactive material from the LFTR.

Due to the complex interactions between engineering design, component reliability and human reliability, probabilistic safety assessments are most useful when the scope is limited to a single reactor plant. Thus, this thesis will study the LFTR design proposed by …

The Effect Of Bone And Ligament Morphology Of Ankle Joint Loading In The Neutral Position, Jinhyuk Kim

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Computational modeling of joints is used to investigate the effect of injuries, to plan surgeries, and to answer questions about joints that cannot be answered experimentally. Existing models of the ankle joint are moving toward being able to model specific patients, however, they do not include all of the anatomy (e.g., bones and/or ligaments) and have restrictive boundary conditions. These simplification in anatomy are made to minimize pre-processing and computation time. Because biomechanical modeling is increasingly focused on the implementation of patient specific cases, the effects of including more anatomical structures and determining how they affect the model results is …

Itsblue: A Distributed Bluetooth-Based Framework For Intelligent Transportation Systems, Ahmed Awad Alghamdi

Computer Science Theses & Dissertations

Inefficiency in transportation networks is having an expanding impact, at a variety of levels. Transportation authorities expect increases in delay hours and in fuel consumption and, consequently, the total cost of congestion. Nowadays, Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) have become a necessity in order to alleviate the expensive consequences of the rapid demand on transportation networks. Since the middle of last century, ITS have played a significant role in road safety and comfort enhancements. However, the majority of state of the art ITS are suffering from several drawbacks, among them high deployment costs and complexity of maintenance.

Over the last decade, …

Development Of The Compact Jet Engine Simulator From Concept To Useful Test Rig, Henry H. Haskin

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

NASA had a goal to develop a set of modeling tools for designing next generation civil transport aircraft with reduced noise, emissions and increased fuel efficiency by 2016. To verify the models, a database of aerodynamic and acoustic data was needed for an unconventional flying wing design that was predicted to meet the goals. A Compact Jet Engine Simulator (CJES) was needed as the jet source for the 5.8% scale model. Ultra-Compact Combustor Technology from the Air Force Research Laboratory was used to reduce the conventional burner acoustic test rigs down to the required scale size. The Air Force design …

Speech Based Machine Learning Models For Emotional State Recognition And Ptsd Detection, Debrup Banerjee

Electrical & Computer Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Recognition of emotional state and diagnosis of trauma related illnesses such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) using speech signals have been active research topics over the past decade. A typical emotion recognition system consists of three components: speech segmentation, feature extraction and emotion identification. Various speech features have been developed for emotional state recognition which can be divided into three categories, namely, excitation, vocal tract and prosodic. However, the capabilities of different feature categories and advanced machine learning techniques have not been fully explored for emotion recognition and PTSD diagnosis. For PTSD assessment, clinical diagnosis through structured interviews is a …

The Efficacy Of Programming Energy Controlled Switching In Resistive Random Access Memory (Rram), David Malien Nminibapiel

Electrical & Computer Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Current state-of-the-art memory technologies such as FLASH, Static Random Access Memory (SRAM) and Dynamic RAM (DRAM) are based on charge storage. The semiconductor industry has relied on cell miniaturization to increase the performance and density of memory technology, while simultaneously decreasing the cost per bit. However, this approach is not sustainable because the charge-storage mechanism is reaching a fundamental scaling limit. Although stack engineering and 3D integration solutions can delay this limit, alternate strategies based on non-charge storage mechanisms for memory have been introduced and are being actively pursued.

Resistive Random Access Memory (RRAM) has emerged as one of the …

Virtual Substrate Synthesis For Low-Cost High Efficiency Iii-V, Sean J. Babcock

Electrical & Computer Engineering Theses & Dissertations

The use of the low-cost thin-film vapor-liquid-solid (TF-VLS) method in the manufacturing of III-V solar cell substrates has the potential to provide a lightweight, flexible, and cheaper alternative to traditional III-V substrates typical of state-of-the- art power generation technology. The TF-VLS process has been shown to produce high optoelectronic quality polycrystalline InP on lightweight flexible metal foils. In this work, this novel method is applied to the growth of binary and ternary III-V materials which include: InP, InAs, and InGaP on Mo foils and/or sputtered Mo on Si wafers.

As a result of InP trials, powder XRD measurements have identified …

A Comparative Study Of The Effects Of External Selection On Settleability And Formation Of Aerobic Granular Sludge, Tyler A. Brickles

Civil & Environmental Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Aerobic granular sludge (AGS) has shown much promise in the advancement of the wastewater treatment industry. AGS has been studied intensely since the early 1990’s due to highly desirable characteristics of nutrient removal efficiency, low footprint, and abnormally faster settling rates than conventional activated sludge. With the exception of a few on-going research projects, all AGS systems have been studied and implemented through the use of sequencing batch reactors (SBR). Recently, a novel approach to developing AGS and improving settling characteristics of activated sludge within conventional activated sludge (CAS) processes has being attempted through the use of external selection.

Activated …

Diversity Team Building: Impact On Virtual Team Performance, Nina C. Magpili-Smith

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Although organizations have addressed diversity issues at the organizational-level with resulting positive employee outcomes, lack of scholarly attention to team-level interventions remain. Team-level interventions would benefit organizations more directly as they address issues directly related to task accomplishment. Since diversity may lead to negative performance results for teams, a team building intervention based on the latest empirical research was developed and tested to address the potential performance losses associated to diversity in decision-making teams. The team building intervention provides six crucial elements, namely (1) direct experience of how deep-level team diversity affect team dynamics, (2) diversity education, (3) cultivation of …

Improved Ballistic Wind Prediction Using Projectile Tracking Data, William Arthur Kenney

Computational Modeling & Simulation Engineering Theses & Dissertations

The United States Air Force AC-130 gunships have been in operation since the Vietnam War and have seen frequent use during recent conflicts. They are able to employ gun weapon systems from above a target in a way that maximizes possible time on target. When firing, the gun operators must deal with miss distances caused by winds acting on the projectile in flight. Operators currently perform a “tweak” to predict a ballistic wind affecting fired rounds which is then used in the fire-control to correct for the real winds and bring shots onto target. This correction, a single-point wind prediction, …