Engineering Commons^™

The Effect Of High Efficiency Building Technologies And Pv Generation On The Energy Profiles For Typical Us Residences, Evan S. Jones, Rosemary E. Alden, Huangjie Gong, Andrew G. Frye, Donald G. Colliver, Dan M. Ionel

Power and Energy Institute of Kentucky Faculty Publications

The penetrations of high efficiency technologies and photovoltaic (PV) generation are increasing in the residential sector. Technologies such as improved insulation and efficient HVAC systems significantly affect the energy profile of a house. This effect varies due to climate characteristics, i.e. temperature, solar radiation, relative humidity, and wind speeds. The effect of other technologies, such as efficient water heaters, lighting, or kitchen appliances, is mainly governed by human behavior, which may be represented by a schedule. This paper studies the performance of both climate-influenced and scheduled household devices among different levels of efficiency through combined computational and experimental methods. Three …

On The Feasibility Of Electrification For Large Mobile Cranes, Donovin Lewis, Damien Lawhorn, Dan M. Ionel

Power and Energy Institute of Kentucky Faculty Publications

Trends towards vehicle electrification to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and increase drive train efficiency have led vehicle manufacturers to seek out paths towards gradual hybridization. For heavy duty construction vehicles, electrification consists of two principle components: electric hybridization of the vehicle carrier and the vehicle's auxiliary function. Economic and physical feasibility for the transition to electrical replacements for critical system components is important for the gradual development of electrified systems. In this paper, we present an investigation into multiple pathways for the hybridization of mobile cranes paired with simulations that analyze the feasibility of system electrification. ADVISOR was used …

Longer Service Life Bridge Coatings, Danny Wells, Theodore Hopwood, Bobby Meade, Sudhir Palle

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) has maintenance oversight responsibilities for approximately 1,100 steel bridges; it also helps local governments and other entities with maintenance painting on other steel bridges. Because maintaining steel bridges is costly, Cabinet officials asked Kentucky Transportation Center (KTC) researchers to identify materials and methods that will prolong their service lives. Steel bridges are uniquely vulnerable to deterioration resulting from exposure to atmospheric conditions (e.g. moisture, ultraviolet rays) and chlorides, the latter due to the application of deicing materials. This study examines two strategies for extending service lives. First, it appraises a novel method of hot dip …

Reach-Scale Model Of Aquatic Vegetation Quantifies N Fate In A Bedrock-Controlled Karst Agroecosystem Stream, Nolan Lewis Bunnell, William I. Ford, Alex W. Fogle, Joseph L. Taraba

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

In-stream fate of nutrients in karst agroecosystems remains poorly understood. The significance of these streams is recognized given spring/surface water confluences have been identified as hotspots for biogeochemical transformations. In slow-moving streams high in dissolved inorganic nutrients, benthic and floating aquatic macrophytes are recognized to proliferate and drastically impact nutrient fate; however, models that quantify coupled interactions between these pools are limited. We present a reach-scale modeling framework of nitrogen dynamics in bedrock-controlled streams that accounts for coupled interactions between hydrology, hydraulics, and biotic dynamics and is validated using a multi-year, biweekly dataset. A fluvial N budget with uncertainty was …

Cardiorespiratory Fitness Diminishes The Effects Of Age On White Matter Hyperintensity Volume, Nathan F. Johnson, Ahmed A. Bahrani, David K. Powell, Gregory A. Jicha, Brian T. Gold

Physical Therapy Faculty Publications

White matter hyperintensities (WMHs) are among the most commonly observed marker of cerebrovascular disease. Age is a key risk factor for WMH development. Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is associated with increased vessel compliance, but it remains unknown if high CRF affects WMH volume. This study explored the effects of CRF on WMH volume in community-dwelling older adults. We further tested the possibility of an interaction between CRF and age on WMH volume. Participants were 76 adults between the ages of 59 and 77 (mean age = 65.36 years, SD = 3.92) who underwent a maximal graded exercise test and structural brain …

A Strategy To Predict The Global Warming Gas From Stock Farming —Potential Scaling Law Of The Released Methane From Livestock—, Toshiaki Nakashima, Tsuneyoshi Matsuoka, Yuji Nakamura

Progress in Scale Modeling, an International Journal

This work examines a scaling approach to predict the amount of methane released from the daily activity of livestock on farms. The subject animals are ruminants, i.e. having rumen or a ruminant stomach, that generates methane through digestion processes via several microbial fermentation steps. The produced methane is mixed into their breathing and released into the atmosphere. Existing data on methane released from various kinds of ruminant livestock were correlated as a power function of an animal’s weight, with an exponent near 0.92. This value is larger than a value of 0.75 which was related to the general metabolism rates …

Cracking During Flame Spread Over Pyrolyzing Solids, Yen Nguyen, Indrek S. Wichman, Thomas J. Pence

Progress in Scale Modeling, an International Journal

A theoretical and numerical model for the degradation of solid materials in combustion is developed. As solid materials are heated by the flame, they undergo an internal thermo- chemical breakdown process known as pyrolysis. As the pyrolysis front propagates into the sample, a charring layer is left behind which contains voids, fractures and defects. Cracks propagate to release tensile stresses accumulated when the sample is losing mass. The crack front may precede the pyrolysis front into the sample. Crack patterns and fracture behaviors vary depending on material properties and heating level and distribution. Cracks cause loss of material integrity by …

The Model Area In Successful Lean Transformation And Scale Modeling, William Cooper, M. Abbot Maginnis, David Parsley, Kozo Saito

Progress in Scale Modeling, an International Journal

The True Lean System Program at the University of Kentucky was created in 1994 to study how the development of the Toyota Production System (TPS) contributes to Toyota’s success. This increased understanding of Toyota’s experience would provide useful guidance to Western companies taking on the challenges of replicating Toyota’s success within their own organizations. The common struggle point shared by the companies who come to us is their inability to establish sustainable TPS-based Lean transformations throughout their organizations. Our work with these companies along with our study of Toyota’s own experience in bringing TPS to its own American operations has …

Scale And Numerical Modeling To Determine Operating Points Of A Non-Clogging Vortecone Filter In Mining Operation, Ashish R. Kumar, Sampurna Arya, Adam Levy, Steven Schafrik, William C. Wedding, Kozo Saito

Progress in Scale Modeling, an International Journal

Numerical and scale modeling studies of Vortecone, a pressure-driven wet-scrubber device for the efficient capture of over-sprayed paint in the automobile industry, are presented. In this manuscript, Vortecone was tested for removing dust particles from underground mining operations. The pressures required to operate Vortecone and the airflow rates through the Vortecone are the two most important factors for mine ventilation systems. This study used dry, no-particle conditions to obtain relationship between these two parameters and then designed a Vortecone filter ventilation system for mining operations. Commercial software, SC/Flow, was used to generate the CFD model with unstructured meshes and a …

Scale Modeling Of Dust Capture Through A Flooded-Bed Dust Scrubber Integrated Within A Longwall Shearer, Sampurna Arya, Ashish Kumar, Kozo Saito, Thomas Novak, Adam Levy

Progress in Scale Modeling, an International Journal

Meeting federal dust standards at a longwall mine face is among the more difficult challenges for a longwall mine operator. With recent changes in federal dust regulations requiring lower worker exposure, maintaining compliance has become increasingly difficult. The authors recommend the concept of controlling respirable and float dust, which is inherent in longwall mining, through the application of a flooded-bed dust scrubber to a longwall shearer. A full-scale physical model of a longwall shearer, modified with an integrated flooded-bed scrubber, was designed and fabricated at the University of Kentucky to measure the effects of a flooded-bed scrubber on dust capture …

The Behavior Of Micro Explosive Charge Underwater Explosion Near A Rigid Wall, Kazutaka Kitagawa, Atsushi Abe

Progress in Scale Modeling, an International Journal

The interactions between an underwater explosion and underwater structures is a research topic related to understanding strong impulsive forces for disaster preparation and prevention. This study is a part of series studying the behavior of underwater explosion bubbles near different boundaries and structures because understanding the boundary phases and the pulsation of bubbles could be a useful predictive tool. Micro explosive underwater explosions were conducted by detonating a very small amount of silver azide; the time evolution and attenuation of effects from the explosion were studied. Both numerical and experimental data were acquired and compared for underwater shock waves, gas …

Towards Scaling Laws For Ddt In Obstructed Channels, Elaine S. Oran, Vadim N. Gamezo

Progress in Scale Modeling, an International Journal

In a coal mine, natural gas can leak through walls and accumulate in enclosed regions that are no longer being mined or ventilated. If there is an accidental spark in the region containing this gas, it can ignite a flame that may transition to detonation (DDT). An important problem is to assess if, when, and where DDT can occur, and thus provide information needed to design strong enough barriers to protect active mining areas. We describe results of numerical simulations of flame acceleration and DDT in obstacle-laden channels to find a scaling law for 𝐿_DDT, the distance the …

Similitude Theory Applied To Plates In Vibroacoustic Field: A Review Up To 2020, Alessandro Casaburo, Giuseppe Petrone, Francesco Franco, Sergio De Rosa

Progress in Scale Modeling, an International Journal

Similitude methods are a set of tools which allow the design of scaled-up or scaled-down models of a full-scale structure called a prototype. In this way, the financial and temporal costs of experimental tests, and the problems associated with the set-up of too large (or small) test articles, may be overcome. This article provides a brief review of similitude methods applied to plates in a vibroacoustic field. Particularly, it is dedicated to a thorough analysis of similitude conditions and scaling laws for uncovering commonalities and differences, and physical interpretations, obtained from applying different scaling methods.

Scaling Considerations For Fire Whirls, Forman A. Williams

Progress in Scale Modeling, an International Journal

This brief report, based on a presentation made at the Eighth International Symposium on Scale Modeling, held in Portland, Oregon, in September of 2017, summarizes and evaluates different methods for classifying fire whirls and their scaling laws. It is indicated that a number of relevant non-dimensional parameters are known for fire whirls, and future scale-modeling experiments could provide useful additional information and insights.

Scaling Realistic Fire Scenarios, James G. Quintiere

Progress in Scale Modeling, an International Journal

A review is made of work on scale modeling in fire and presented from the experience of the author. Primarily, scale modeling in air is discussed but there is a brief discussion of a scale model with salt and fresh water for smoke movement. A complete set of dimensionless groups is presented for fire, then it is illustrated how selections were made for the partial scaling of specific fire scenarios. Studies have been motivated by basic research interests as well as for fire investigations. The dynamics of floorcovering fire spread in a corridor is studied to reveal many features of …

Near Simultaneous Laser Scanning Confocal And Atomic Force Microscopy (Conpokal) On Live Cells, Joree N. Sandin, Surya P. Aryal, Thomas E. Wilkop, Christopher I. Richards, Martha E. Grady

Physiology Faculty Publications

Techniques available for micro- and nano-scale mechanical characterization have exploded in the last few decades. From further development of the scanning and transmission electron microscope, to the invention of atomic force microscopy, and advances in fluorescent imaging, there have been substantial gains in technologies that enable the study of small materials. Conpokal is a portmanteau that combines confocal microscopy with atomic force microscopy (AFM), where a probe "pokes" the surface. Although each technique is extremely effective for the qualitative and/or quantitative image collection on their own, Conpokal provides the capability to test with blended fluorescence imaging and mechanical characterization. Designed …

University Of Kentucky Measurements Of Wind, Temperature, Pressure And Humidity In Support Of Lapse-Rate Using Multisite Fixed-Wing And Rotorcraft Unmanned Aerial Systems, Sean C. C. Bailey, Michael P. Sama, Caleb A. Canter, Luis Felipe Pampolini, Zachary S. Lippay, Travis J. Schuyler, Jonathan D. Hamilton, Sean B. Macphee, Isaac S. Rowe, Christopher D. Sanders, Virginia G. Smith, Christina N. Vezzi, Harrison M. Wight, Jesse B. Hoagg, Marcelo I. Guzman, Suzanne Weaver Smith

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications

In July 2018, unmanned aerial systems (UASs) were deployed to measure the properties of the lower atmosphere within the San Luis Valley, an elevated valley in Colorado, USA, as part of the Lower Atmospheric Profiling Studies at Elevation – a Remotely-piloted Aircraft Team Experiment (LAPSE-RATE). Measurement objectives included detailing boundary layer transition, canyon cold-air drainage and convection initiation within the valley. Details of the contribution to LAPSE-RATE made by the University of Kentucky are provided here, which include measurements by seven different fixed-wing and rotorcraft UASs totaling over 178 flights with validated data. The data from these coordinated UAS flights …

A Hybrid Achromatic Metalens, Fatih Balli, Mansoor A. Sultan, Sarah K. Lami, J. Todd Hastings

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

Metalenses, ultra-thin optical elements that focus light using subwavelength structures, have been the subject of a number of recent investigations. Compared to their refractive counterparts, metalenses offer reduced size and weight, and new functionality such as polarization control. However, metalenses that correct chromatic aberration also suffer from markedly reduced focusing efficiency. Here we introduce a Hybrid Achromatic Metalens (HAML) that overcomes this trade-off and offers improved focusing efficiency over a broad wavelength range from 1000-1800 nm. HAMLs can be designed by combining recursive ray-tracing and simulated phase libraries rather than computationally intensive global search algorithms. Moreover, HAMLs can be fabricated …

Fujio Cho Legacy Lecture Notes, Fujio Cho, Kozo Saito

Institute of Research for Technology Development Textbook Gallery

The Fujio Cho legacy lecture was created in 2013 as part of UK Institute of Research for Technology Development (IR4TD)’s True Lean Systems program to assist industrial clients to transform their organizations to a True Lean organization by effectively using principles and tools of Toyota Production System (TPS). During the years 1987-1994, Cho and Saito worked together to layout the foundation of the now well-established Toyota-University of Kentucky relationship on R&D, True Lean Systems, and production engineering, housed in IR4TD, the Toyota endowed Institute established in 2007 with the support from the Commonwealth of Kentucky under the research competitiveness trust …

Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Right Of Way Process Review (Phase I), Christopher W. Van Dyke, Bryan Gibson, Robin Baskette, Jeff Jasper, Candice Y. Wallace, Steven Douglas Kreis

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

From the Executive Summary:

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) is responsible for planning, developing, constructing, and maintaining a prodigious inventory of roadway and bridge assets throughout the state. Project development is a complex process involving the coordination of numerous divisions and preconstruction disciplines across the Cabinet. On many projects, right-of-way (ROW) acquisition presents many challenges. Frequently, the ROW process is found on the critical path, meaning that it effectively governs a project’s overall duration. In some cases — especially on more complex projects — acquiring the ROW may take several years. Recognizing the need to shorten the duration and improve …

An Aggregated And Equivalent Home Model For Power System Studies With Examples Of Building Insulation And Hvac Control Improvements, Huangjie Gong, Evan S. Jones, Dan M. Ionel

Power and Energy Institute of Kentucky Faculty Publications

Introducing new technologies into existing residences provides opportunities for the utility to enhance a community's power system performance. To validate the benefits of such technologies, an energy model is required in which their integration with a community's power system may be simulated. It can be difficult or impossible to properly model a power system without sufficient sample data. This paper proposes a method that uses Gaussian kernel density estimation (GKDE) to calculate the aggregated net power flow of a community's distribution system with only limited sample points at each time step. Example case studies that confirm the usefulness of the …

Nanoceria Distribution And Effects Are Mouse-Strain Dependent, Robert A. Yokel, Michael T. Tseng, D. Allan Butterfield, Matthew L. Hancock, Eric A. Grulke, Jason M. Unrine, Arnold J. Stromberg, Alan K. Dozier, Uschi M. Graham

Pharmaceutical Sciences Faculty Publications

Prior studies showed nanoparticle clearance was different in C57BL/6 versus BALB/c mice, strains prone to Th1 and Th2 immune responses, respectively. Objective: Assess nanoceria (cerium oxide, CeO₂ nanoparticle) uptake time course and organ distribution, cellular and oxidative stress, and bioprocessing as a function of mouse strain. Methods: C57BL/6 and BALB/c female mice were i.p. injected with 10 mg/kg nanoceria or vehicle and terminated 0.5 to 24 h later. Organs were collected for cerium analysis; light and electron microscopy with elemental mapping; and protein carbonyl, IL-1β, and caspase-1 determination. Results: Peripheral organ cerium significantly increased, generally more …

Lignin Valorization In Ionic Liquids And Deep Eutectic Solvent Via Catalysis And Biocatalysis, Jian Shi, Lalitendu Das, Enshi Liu, Joseph C. Stevens

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Patents

This invention relates to a method for extracting valorized compounds from lignin by contacting lignins with an ionic liquid and/or a deep eutectic solvent and adding a catalyst and/or a biocatalyst to assist in breaking down the source material. Converting lignin into high value chemicals adds revenues for a bio-refinery and helps to improve the economic viability of biofuel production.

Characterization And Enzyme Engineering Of A Hyperthermophilic Laccase Toward Improving Its Activity In Ionic Liquid, Joseph Craig Stevens, David W. Rodgers, Claire Dumon, Jian Shi

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

Ionic liquids (ILs) are organic salts molten at room temperature that can be used for a wide variety of applications. Many ILs, such as 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate ([C₂C₁Im][OAc]), have been shown to remove a significant fraction of the complex biopolymer lignin from biomass during pretreatment. Valorizing lignin via biological pathways (e.g., enzymes) holds promise but is limited by the low biocompatibility of many ILs used for pretreatment. The discovery of thermostable enzymes and the application of enzyme engineering techniques have yielded biocatalysts capable of withstanding high concentrations of ILs. Converting lignin from a waste product to value-added …

Effect Of Substrate Characteristics On The Growth And Sporulation Of Two Biocontrol Microorganisms During Solid State Cultivation, Ga Young Lee, Wenqi Li, Ulalo M. Chirwa, Jian Shi

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

Biocontrol agents are a group of naturally occurring organisms capable of interrupting the lifespan and suppressing the propagation of disease organisms. The use of biocontrol agents offers an environment-friendly and sustainable solution to the synthetic agrochemicals. In this study, we investigated parboiled rice and millets as substrates for spore production of two model biocontrol microorganisms (Bacillus pumilus and Streptomyces griseus) under solid state cultivation (SSC) conditions. The effects of cultivation parameters such as initial moisture content, water activity, and cultivation time on microbial growth and spore production were studied. Furthermore, texture profile analysis was performed to test the …

Plasma And Serum Proteins Bound To Nanoceria: Insights Into Pathways By Which Nanoceria May Exert Its Beneficial And Deleterious Effects In Vivo, D. Allan Butterfield, Binghui Wang, Peng Wu, Sarita S. Hardas, Jason M. Unrine, Eric A. Grulke, Jian Cai, Jon B. Klein, William M. Pierce, Robert A. Yokel, Rukhsana Sultana

Chemistry Faculty Publications

Nanoceria (CeO2, cerium oxide nanoparticles) is proposed as a therapeutic for multiple disorders. In blood, nanoceria becomes protein-coated, changing its surface properties to yield a different presentation to cells. There is little information on the interaction of nanoceria with blood proteins. The current study is the first to report the proteomics identification of plasma and serum proteins adsorbed to nanoceria. The results identify a number of plasma and serum proteins interacting with nanoceria, proteins whose normal activities regulate numerous cell functions: antioxidant/detoxification, energy regulation, lipoproteins, signaling, complement, immune function, coagulation, iron homeostasis, proteolysis, inflammation, protein folding, protease inhibition, adhesion, protein/RNA …

Changes In Lumbo-Pelvic Coordination Of Individuals With And Without Low Back Pain When Wearing A Hip Orthosis, Matthew T. Ballard, Colin Drury, Babak Bazrgari

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Publications

Individuals with low back pain demonstrate an abnormal lumbo-pelvic coordination compared to back-healthy individuals. This abnormal coordination presents itself as a reduction in lumbar contributions and an increase in pelvic rotations during a trunk forward bending and backward return task. This study investigated the ability of a hip orthosis in correcting such an abnormal lumbo-pelvic coordination by restricting pelvic rotation and, hence increasing lumbar contributions. The effects of the hip orthosis on the lumbo-pelvic coordination were investigated in 20 low back pain patients and 20 asymptomatic controls. The orthosis reduced pelvic rotation by 12.7° and increased lumbar contributions by 11%. …

Nanohybrid Membrane Synthesis With Phosphorene Nanoparticles: A Study Of The Addition, Stability And Toxicity, Joyner Eke, Philip Alexander Mills, Jacob Ryan Page, Garrison P. Wright, Olga V. Tsyusko, Isabel C. Escobar

Center of Membrane Sciences Faculty Publications

Phosphorene is a promising candidate as a membrane material additive because of its inherent photocatalytic properties and electrical conductance which can help reduce fouling and improve membrane properties. The main objective of this study was to characterize structural and morphologic changes arising from the addition of phosphorene to polymeric membranes. Here, phosphorene was physically incorporated into a blend of polysulfone (PSf) and sulfonated poly ether ether ketone (SPEEK) doping solution. Protein and dye rejection studies were carried out to determine the permeability and selectivity of the membranes. Since loss of material additives during filtration processes is a challenge, the stability …

Non-Destructive Technologies For Detecting Insect Infestation In Fruits And Vegetables Under Postharvest Conditions: A Critical Review, Akinbode A. Adedeji, Nader Ekramirad, Ahmed Rady, Ali Hamidisepehr, Kevin D. Donohue, Raul T. Villanueva, Chadwick A. Parrish, Mengxing Li

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

In the last two decades, food scientists have attempted to develop new technologies that can improve the detection of insect infestation in fruits and vegetables under postharvest conditions using a multitude of non-destructive technologies. While consumers' expectations for higher nutritive and sensorial value of fresh produce has increased over time, they have also become more critical on using insecticides or synthetic chemicals to preserve food quality from insects' attacks or enhance the quality attributes of minimally processed fresh produce. In addition, the increasingly stringent quarantine measures by regulatory agencies for commercial import-export of fresh produce needs more reliable technologies for …

Method And Apparatus For Increasing Mass Transfer In Aqueous Gas Adsorption Processes, Kunlei Liu, Leland R. Widger, Zhen Fan, Joshuah Stolaroff

Center for Applied Energy Research Faculty Patents

A method of removing and capturing an acid gas from a fluid stream includes exposing the fluid stream to an aqueous scrubbing solution in the presence of a packing element including alternating hydrophobic and hydrophilic features or zones. A related apparatus is also disclosed.