Engineering Commons^™

Bitseat: Reimagining The Financing For Airliners Using Nonfungible Tokens (Blockchain Technology), Edwin S. Ongola

Journal of Aviation Technology and Engineering

This essay describes how blockchain technology, particularly nonfungible tokens, can be used to raise funding for airliners. The essay begins with a brief overview on the costs, categories, and acquisition methods of airliners. After that, the essay introduces concepts on blockchain technology, tokens, and smart contracts. The essay then touches on how nonfungible tokens can be used to facilitate fractional ownership of airliners. From there, the essay discusses Bitseat, a conceptual nonfungible token for fractional ownership of airliners, covering its overall design, appeal, marketplace alternatives, and challenges. Finally, in the discussion, the essay summarizes the overall concept and outlines its …

Understanding Mental Wellness In Collegiate Pilots: The Interplay Of Fatigue, Sleep, And Health-Promoting Behaviors, Flavio Antonio Coimbra Mendonca, Samantha Bowyer, Carolina Anderson, Bill Deng Pan

Journal of Aviation Technology and Engineering

This study investigates patterns of fatigue severity, sleep hygiene, daytime sleepiness, and health-promoting lifestyle behaviors and examine the interrelationships among these factors in collegiate aviation students. Participants included undergraduate professional pilot students enrolled in a Code of Federal Regulations Part 141 four-year aviation degree program in the southeastern United States (N = 82).

Participants completed four validated self-report instruments: the Fatigue Severity Scale, the Sleep Hygiene Index, the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, and the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile II. Descriptive analyses were conducted to characterize the results of each assessment, and Pearson correlations and multiple regression analyses were performed to examine intervariable …

Vertical Alignment As A Systemic Strategy For Sustaining Workforce-Aligned K–12 Engineering Initiatives: A Collective Case Study Of District-Wide Microelectronics Integration, Greg J. Strimel, Victoria Constantine, Deana Lucas, Emily Haluschak, Yubin Lee, Morgan Hynes, Selcen Guzey, Tamara J. Moore

School of Engineering Technology Faculty Publications

Background

In response to the 2022 CHIPS and Science Act, a K–12 workforce development initiative was launched to embed microelectronics education across US school districts. To promote sustainability, the initiative employed a district-wide vertical alignment strategy that progressively integrates microelectronics content and engineering-related career experiences from kindergarten through high school. While vertical alignment is often used for curriculum planning, its broader potential as a systems-level strategy remains underexplored.

Purpose

This study investigated how vertical alignment functions within a K–12 engineering workforce development initiative, focusing on enablers/barriers toward expanding and sustaining integration efforts. The research questions addressed stakeholder experiences with the …

Transmogrifying Coding Into A Social Studies Technology Tool: Using Participatory Design With Engineers And Social Studies Educators To Design Data Visualization Tools For Social Studies Data Literacy Education, Bahare Naimipour, Jessica Zhang, Tamara Shreiner, Mark Guzdial

Journal of Pre-College Engineering Education Research (J-PEER)

Our work aims to inform, design, and create data visualization tools that are meant to be integrated specifically into social studies classes. In this essay we discuss the use of participatory design methods to learn what social studies teachers (both pre-service and in-service) want in their classrooms and test the usability of real tools with these participants. Through this approach we iteratively engage our users, and they inform the design and development of learning tools for the learning and instruction of social studies data literacy. Using a social construction of technology lens, we describe the scaffolding embedded in our tools …

Understanding Transgender And Gender-Nonconforming Students’ Experiences In Precollege Engineering Education: A Latent Profile Analysis, Jialing Wu, Medha Dalal, Rachel Figard, Adam R. Carberry

Journal of Pre-College Engineering Education Research (J-PEER)

Promoting gender equity and inclusion in STEM education remains a central priority, yet empirical research inclusive of transgender and gendernonconforming (TGNC) students is limited, particularly in precollege engineering contexts. This study leverages social cognitive career theory (SCCT) to identify latent profiles of students’ engineering-related beliefs while examining how TGNC students are represented across these profiles relative to their cisgender and gender nonreporting peers. The study draws on four years (2019–2023) of repeated cross-sectional survey data from a national precollege engineering initiative involving 75 high schools across 20 US states. Seven SCCT-related constructs were measured and used as part of latent …

Applied Research In Field Crop Pathology For Indiana, 2019, Darcy E. P. Telenko

Purdue University Press Books

Applied Research in Field Crop Pathology for Indiana, 2019 serves as a summary of the applied field crop pathology research trials conducted in 2019 under the direction of the Purdue Field Crop Pathology program in the Department of Botany and Plant Pathology at Purdue University. In Indiana, there are more than 57,600 farms, 16,000 crop producers, and 900 certified crop advisers, Extension educators, and crop-protection industry representatives who manage more than 11.4 million crop-production acres with a total value of $6.3 billion annually. There are more than twenty diseases affecting corn, soybeans, and wheat that may decrease crop production and …

Examining Data Richness In Undergraduate Students’ Reflections: A Linguistic Analysis Of Three Data Collection Methods, Kirsten A. Davis, Anne Wrobetz

School of Engineering Education Faculty Publications

Researchers select data collection methods for a variety of reasons. In our research on experiential education programs, we perceived that when we collected students’ reflections using different methods, the data we received was different. However, we found few existing studies to help us characterize what was different across our data sets to inform our decisions about which methods to use. Thus, the purpose of our study was to compare data richness across three data sets from previous studies of engineering students studying abroad, each collected using a different method (written diaries, interviews, video diaries). We used linguistic inquiry as a …

A Century Of Safer Skies: Statistical Insights Into Aviation Accidents And Death Rates, Abhijeet Regmi

Journal of Aviation Technology and Engineering

The purpose of this study is to determine whether the recent advancements in the technology used for aircraft maintenance and repair have resulted in an increase or decrease in the accident and fatality rates of aviation incidents and accidents. The primary concerns are the extremely low survival rates in aviation accidents and the necessity to determine whether or not the accident and fatality rates are declining in light of recent technological advancements. If the rate is rising, we must prioritize passenger and crew safety more and adhere to tight regulations when performing repairs and maintenance. The data were compared for …

Aspirational Mirrors: A Conceptual Model Of Alumni-Led Near-Peer Outreach For Precollege Engagement In Ocean Engineering, Habibi Palippui, Juswan Sade

Journal of Pre-College Engineering Education Research (J-PEER)

Precollege students in Indonesia, especially in rural and coastal regions, often lack exposure to engineering disciplines due to social, geographic, and informational barriers. This essay proposes a conceptual model of alumni-led near-peer outreach as an affective and culturally grounded mechanism to engage high school students in ocean engineering. Drawing from theories of social similarity, possible selves, and engineering identity, the model conceptualizes alumni as “aspirational mirrors” who influence students not merely through information but also through identification. The model outlines four primary mechanisms—social connection, narrative engagement, aspirational mirroring, and early identity activation—and also accounts for contextual variables such as school …

Mathematical Modeling And Simulation Of Wheel Hub Stresses Using Finite Element Analysis In Light Military Trainer Aircraft, Alysson Sousa Rabelo, José Aécio Gomes De Sousa, Feliciano José Ricardo Cangue, Luiz Leroy Thomé Vaughan

Journal of Aviation Technology and Engineering

The landing gear of modern aircraft accounts for approximately 20% of the structural weight and 5% of the total weight. Among its components, the wheel hub endures particularly high loads during landing, often leading to cracks and porosity associated with casting-induced micro-voids in magnesium and aluminum alloys. Over time, cyclic stresses enlarge these voids, converting them into critical stress concentrators. Differences in alloy properties, such as yield strength, fracture toughness, and corrosion resistance, further influence how cracks propagate, underscoring the importance of rigorous manufacturing methods and regular nondestructive inspections. To investigate these vulnerabilities, stress analyses were performed on a military …

Fatigue Behavior Characterization Of Magnesium And Aluminum Alloys In Military Trainer Aircraft, Alysson Sousa Rabelo, José Aécio Gomes De Sousa, Feliciano José Ricardo Cangue, Luiz Leroy Thomé Vaughan

Journal of Aviation Technology and Engineering

The increasing demand for lightweight and durable materials in aviation industry necessitates continuous improvements in research into fatigue-resistant alloys to improve operational efficiency, safety, and cost-effectiveness. The estimation of the operational life of aeronautical structures is directly related to the study of their mechanical properties, particularly concerning fatigue behavior due to the constant exposure to cyclic loads. For this reason, the aeronautical sector often invests significant capital in research for the development of new alloys that enable high structural performance, lightness, low cost, high durability, and tolerance to environmental damage. Despite the advancements in composite materials, aluminum and magnesium alloys …

Developing Indices To Study Engineers' Interest, Confidence, And Experience With Global Engineering Work Activities, Lexy Arinze, Joe Tort, Kirsten A. Davis

School of Engineering Education Faculty Publications

Background

As engineering work has become increasingly globalized, prior studies have examined the intercultural attitudes and competencies of engineering students and practicing engineers. However, we lack tools to study how engineers engage in global work across industries, roles, and organizational contexts.

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to develop a tool to measure engineers' interest, confidence, and frequency in performing global work tasks. To this end, we designed the Global Task Performance (GTP) indices, which evaluate four dimensions of engagement in global engineering work.

Methods

Guided by Social Cognitive Career Theory and the Global Engineering Competency (GEC) framework, we …

Effect Of Prefilmer Design On Atomization Behavior In The Pre-Vaporization Tube Of A Small-Scale Annular Gas Turbine Combustior, Amogh G. Natu, Antoine M. Fradet, Cohen Nunes, Daniel R. Guildenbecher

School of Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications

This work investigates the influence of internal prefilmer geometry on fuel spray atomization in the prevaporization tube (PVT) of a small-scale reverse-flow annular gas turbine combustor. Four configurations are examined: a control with no prefilmer, a planar internal prefilmer, and two angled internal prefilmers at θ = 60◦ and θ = 45◦ . Double-pulsed digital in-line holography (DIH) is used to measure droplet size distributions, spray density, Sauter mean diameter (SMD), and droplet velocities at the PVT exit under conditions scaled to represent nominal ignition conditions. Results show the control design exhibits poor atomization characterized by large droplet diameters, low …

Critical Arteries: Prioritizing Economic Vitality And Emergency Access In Local Networks, Jeremy Hunter

Local Transportation Asset Management Conference

Standard Asset Management Plans (AMPs) often rely heavily on Pavement Condition Index, Paser ratings, and Bridge Condition Ratings to dictate repair schedules. However, a strictly condition-based approach may neglect the economic and safety criticality of specific routes. This presentation proposes a multi-variable evaluation framework for counties, cities, and towns. I will explore methods for overlaying industrial data—specifically for heavy-haul sectors like logging, masonry, and agriculture—to identify and fortify the "economic lifelines" that sustain local revenue. Furthermore, I will address the necessity of resiliency planning within the AMP. By integrating hydraulic data and flood-prone area mapping, agencies can ensure that routes …

Applied Research In Field Crop Pathology For Indiana, 2020, Darcy E. P. Telenko

Purdue University Press Books

Applied Research in Field Crop Pathology for Indiana, 2020 serves as a summary of the applied field crop pathology research trials conducted in 2020 under the direction of the Purdue Field Crop Pathology program in the Department of Botany and Plant Pathology at Purdue University. In Indiana, there are more than 57,600 farms, 16,000 crop producers, and 900 certified crop advisers, Extension educators, and crop-protection industry representatives who manage more than 11.4 million crop-production acres with a total value of $6.3 billion annually. There are more than twenty diseases affecting corn, soybeans, and wheat that may decrease crop production and …

Convergence Education In A Stem-Focused University: An Ethnographic Study Of A Cross-College Design And Innovation Program, Greg J. Strimel, Sherylyn Briller, Jackson Otto, Rebecca Martinez, Douglas Pruim, Todd R. Kelley

School of Engineering Technology Faculty Publications

Background

Innovation often transcends the bounds of individual disciplines, yet undergraduate teaching is still largely organized today within single disciplines and respective academic units. Convergence education offers a promising organizational approach to bring transdisciplinary teaching and learning into undergraduate education by aligning institutional structures, pedagogy, and partnerships around meaningful, innovation experiences to address contemporary problems. However, longstanding academic silos in higher education hinder the adoption of convergence-focused pedagogies. Therefore, this study examined the three-year implementation of a novel convergence education initiative developed to foster design and innovation capabilities across multiple academic disciplines. By integrating faculty from the university’s engineering technology, …

Humanizing Engineering For Preservice Elementary Teachers Through Sustainable Engineering Stories, Jeffrey D. Radloff, Madison M. Morris, Jacob Pleasants

Journal of Pre-College Engineering Education Research (J-PEER)

Meeting the goals of US K–12 science education reform requires that preservice elementary teachers (PSTs) understand engineering as a specialized discipline and a human endeavor that addresses real-world issues. Yet in their formal education, few PSTs receive opportunities to learn about the humanistic dimensions of engineering: engineers’ personal values and motivations, the sociocultural nature of engineering work, and the societal significance of engineering. Storytelling about engineering offers a practical way to give PSTs access to these ideas. This study examines the impacts of integrating storytelling about engineering in a science methods course for future elementary school teachers. Over a two-year …

Slender And Nonslender Delta Wing Simulation And Analysis, Aashish Gyawali, Brinda Bhattarai, Nishesh Bista, Sundeep Rao Dr

Journal of Aviation Technology and Engineering

Stability, controllability, and maneuverability are critical factors for aircraft with short takeoff and landing distances, such as modern fighter aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles. Delta wings are commonly employed in these aircraft due to their efficient aerodynamics, enabling high maneuverability, and performance at both low and high speeds. Nonslender wings are used for low-speed performance and agility, while slender wings offer reduced drag and are suited for high-speed operations. In flight, an aircraft encounters different airflow patterns including vortices that circulate from the higher-pressure lower side of the wing to the lower-pressure upper side, contributing to lift generation. However, as …

Photoplethysmography For Measuring Cognitive Load In Xr Environments: A Systematic Review, Alya Alshehhi, Qammer H. Abbasi, Rami Ghannam

School of Engineering Technology Faculty Publications

Photoplethysmography (PPG) is a low-cost, low-power biosensing technology with growing applications in education, particularly for monitoring cognitive load in eXtended Reality (XR) learning environments. Measuring cognitive load is critical for preventing overload and optimising immersive learning, yet existing approaches such as self-reports or Electroencephalography (EEG) are often intrusive, costly or impractical for real-time use. This systematic review is the first to synthesize a decade of research (2015–2025) on the use of PPG for cognitive load measurement in XR. Twenty-three studies were identified and analysed according to PRISMA guidelines, with attention to sensor placement, integration with other modalities, research design, and …

The New 11th Edition Of The Indiana Mutcd, Joseph Bruno, David Boruff

Purdue Road School

The updated 11th edition of the Indiana MUTCD released in January of 2026 has many significant changes from the 2011 edition. This presentation provides an overview of the changes from the previous edition and significant variations between the federal MUTCD and the Indiana MUTCD.

Building A Vitalizing Team Culture, Iris Bull, Andrew Cibor

Purdue Road School

Leaders in the public sector face unique challenges in the recruitment and retainage of productive employees. Administrative staff from the City of Bloomington Engineering Department present an analysis of the strategies they employ to shape a high performing team. They examine mutable and designed aspects of their processes for advertising, interviewing, hiring, onboarding, and exit interviewing. Session participants will be provided tested strategies for stimulating professional growth, fostering intradepartmental collaboration, and building resilient culture.

History Of The Interstate System In Indiana, Steven Wuertz

Purdue Road School

A brief history of the Interstate System in Indiana and across the Nation— 1956–2026: 70 years of the Interstate System

Iconic Henry Street Bridge In Indianapolis, Marshall Lachecki, Keith Echternach, Mary Appel

Purdue Road School

The iconic new Henry Street bridge over the White River in Indianapolis is a connection to the west side of downtown Indy.  From the challenging hydraulics requirements to the bridge concepts, design, procurement and through construction and archaeology work, the City has worked with many stakeholders and the public to make this new crossing a success.  This presentation will focus on design elements of the bridge while touching upon other project elements.

Improvements In Waterborne Traffic Paint For Indiana, Joseph Bruno, Andrew Blackburn

Purdue Road School

INDOT has updated its specification for waterborne traffic paints that results in improved durability and the ability to apply traffic paint in colder weather. This presentation provides background on INDOT's waterborne traffic paint specification, a summary of the road trials that INDOT conducted to evaluate different paint specifications, future developments for waterborne traffic paint, and a maintenance perspective on INDOT painting operations.

Early In Career Panel: The Value Of Industry Involvement, Stephanie Ferzli, Calvin Rizzo, David Musoke

Purdue Road School

A panel of early-career professionals shares the importance and benefits of participating in industry organizations. Learn how involvement can shape careers and foster professional growth.

Let’S Walk And Talk: Building Trust (And Better Projects) Using Community Walk Audits, Ashlyn Devine, Taylor Firestine

Purdue Road School

This session introduces participants to the benefits gained from engaging in community-centered walking audits as practical tools for advancing quality active transportation projects and building trust with the public. Drawing from Health by Design’s Indiana Road to Zero Academy, participants will join a facilitated walking audit near the Purdue campus to discuss common concerns and questions that these exercises address while demonstrating how collaborative notetaking can translate into better planning, engineering, and policy decisions that reflect the unique needs of the community.

Draining Fountain Square With Alternate Delivery, Jason Koch, Mark St. John, Natalie Stephen

Purdue Road School

Indianapolis DPW has started construction on major drainage improvements in one of its oldest neighborhoods, Fountain Square. Building on lessons learned from similar projects in built-up, commercial areas, DPW decided to use an alternate delivery method to procure construction services. This session will provide a high level review of Indiana’s Public-Private Agreement statue (I.C. 5-23), how DPW applied it to the Fountain Square project, lessons learned, and how DPW plans to use this innovative delivery method for future projects.

Pel Stories, Tim Miller, Cameron Schuh, Sandra Flum, Blake Dollier

Purdue Road School

PEL Stories: Bridging Planning and Environmental Review: This presentation will highlight stories from planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) projects, demonstrating how early planning can streamline environmental review and improve project outcomes.

IndyPEL: Advancing Planning through Environmental Linkages: This session explores the IndyPEL project, highlighting how Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) studies are shaping transportation decisions in Indiana. Attendees will learn about stakeholder engagement, data-driven planning, and lessons learned.

Diverging Diamond Interchanges Lessons Learned: Design Refinements And Performance, Nathaniel Shellhamer, Daniel Mccoy, Jack Gallagher

Purdue Road School

This presentation will share an overview of INDOT’s experience with the design of diverging diamond interchanges (DDIs). Specific discussion will focus on design refinements being made in the most recent DDIs in Indiana, as well as lessons learned from existing DDIs in the areas of geometrics, operations and performance, and human factors/driver behavior. We will also review case studies and before-and-after analyses of existing DDIs.

Impact Of Urban Roadway Work Zones On Road Users And Other Stakeholders, Lyndsey Renee Harris

Lyles School of Civil Engineering Graduate Student Reports

As urban populations continue to rise at an unprecedented rate, the need for highly maintained infrastructure in cities -- buildings, utilities, and transportation networks -- has become increasingly critical. An urban work zone refers to a designated area within a city where roadway construction, maintenance, or rehabilitation activities are taking place. These zones are typically characterized by high traffic volumes, complex roadway networks, and proximity to residential, institutional, and commercial land uses. Urban work zones often involve lane closures, detours, reduced speed limits, and temporary traffic control measures to ensure safety for road workers and road users. Due to the …