Engineering Commons^™

Large Scale Electronic Health Record Data And Echocardiography Video Analysis For Mortality Risk Prediction, Alvaro Emilio Ulloa Cerna

Electrical and Computer Engineering ETDs

Electronic health records contain the clinical history of patients. The enormous potential for discovery in such a rich dataset is hampered by their complexity. We hypothesize that machine learning models trained on EHR data can predict future clinical events significantly better than current models. We analyze an EHR database of 594,862 Echocardiography studies from 272,280 unique patients with both unsupervised and supervised machine learning techniques.

In the unsupervised approach, we first develop a simulation framework to evaluate a family of different clustering pipelines. We apply the optimized approach to 41,645 patients with heart failure without providing any survival information to …

A Microfluidics-Based Cross-Flow Filtration Platform For Rapid Processing Of Amphiphilic Biomarkers From Blood, Kiersten D. Lenz

Biomedical Engineering ETDs

Early and accurate detection of bacterial infections can help save lives, prevent the spread of disease, and decrease the overuse of antibiotics. Our team at the Los Alamos National Laboratory has developed novel assays to detect bacterial biomarkers from patient blood at the point-of-care in order to facilitate a universal diagnostic platform. However, these biomarkers are amphiphilic in nature, and this biochemical property causes them to be sequestered by high-density and low-density lipoproteins (HDL and LDL) in the host’s blood. Extraction of the bacterial biomarkers from the lipoprotein complexes is thereby required for the development and deployment of a diagnostic …

Nonpolar Gan-Based Vcsels With Lattice-Matched Nanoporous Distributed Bragg Reflector Mirrors, Saadat M. Mishkat-Ul-Masabih

Electrical and Computer Engineering ETDs

Wide-bandgap optoelectronic devices have undergone significant advancements with the advent of commercial light-emitting diodes and edge-emitting lasers in the violet-blue spectral region. They are now ubiquitous in several lighting, communication, data storage, display, and sensing applications. Among the III-nitride emitters, vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) have attracted significant attention in recent years due to their inherent advantages over edge-emitting lasers. The small active volume enables single-mode operation with low threshold currents and high modulation bandwidths. Their surface-normal device geometry is conducive to the cost-effective formation of high-density 2D arrays while simplifying on-chip wafer testing. Furthermore, the low beam divergence and circular …

The Collison Floating Evaporation Pan: Design, Validation, And Comparison, Jacob William Collison

Civil Engineering ETDs

Accurate tracking of open-water evaporative losses, one of the largest consumptive uses of water in the Southwestern USA, is increasingly important with anticipated climate shifts toward longer and more severe droughts. A new open-water evaporation technique, the Collison Floating Evaporation Pan, (CFEP), was tested on Cochiti Lake, New Mexico, USA for one year with objectives being: identify the limitations and potential solutions to evaporation techniques; deploy, test the reliability, and validity of the CFEP and evaluate uncertainties in standard evaporation techniques; and improvements over prior evaporation techniques. The CFEP provided reliable evaporation measurements during sustained winds greater than 20 m/s. …

Neutronic And Cfd-Thermal Hydraulic Analyses Of Very-Small, Long-Life, Modular (Vsllim) Reactor, Luis M. Palomino

Nuclear Engineering ETDs

Neutronic and CFD-thermal hydraulic analyses are performed of the Very-Small, Long-LIfe, and Modular (VSLLIM) nuclear reactor. This reactor was developed at the University of New Mexico’s Institute for Space and Nuclear Power Studies (UNM-ISNPS) to generate 1.0 – 10 MW_th for extended periods without refueling. It offers passive operation and safety features and redundant control and would be fabricated, assembled and sealed in the factory. During nominal operation and after shutdown, the VSLLIM is cooled by natural circulation of in-vessel liquid sodium, with the aid of an in-vessel chimney and annular helically-coiled …

Symmetry And Dopant Diffusion In Inverted Nanopyramid Arrays For Thin Crystalline Silicon Solar Cells, Seok Jun Han

Chemical and Biological Engineering ETDs

In this dissertation, we enhance the efficiency of thin flexible monocrystalline silicon solar cells by breaking symmetry in light trapping nanostructures and improving homogeneity in dopant concentration profile. These thin cells are potentially less expensive than conventional thick silicon cells by using less silicon material and making the cells more convenient to be handled when supported on polymer films. Moreover, these cells are widely applicable due to their flexibility and lightweight. However, for high efficiencies, these cells require effective light trapping and charge collection. We achieve these in cells based on 14-mm-thick free-standing silicon films with light-trapping arrays of nanopyramidal …

Multifunctional Properties Of Gan Nws Applied To Nanometrology, Nanophotonics, And Scanning Probe Microscopy/Lithography, Mahmoud Behzadirad

Optical Science and Engineering ETDs

GaN nanowires are promising for optical and optoelectronic applications because of their waveguiding properties and large optical bandgap. Recent researches have shown superior mechanical properties of GaN nanowires which promises their use in new research areas e.g. nanometrology. In this work, we develop a scalable two-step top-down approach using interferometric lithography as well a bottom-up growth of NWs using MOCVD, to manufacture highly-ordered arrays of nanowires with atomic surface roughness and desired aspect-ratios to be used in nanophotonics and atomic precision metrology and lithography. Using this method, uniform nanowire arrays were achieved over large-areas (~1 mm²) with aspect-ratio …

Microsphere-Based Disordered Photonic Structures: Control Of Randomness In Langmuir-Blodgett Assembly And Radiative Cooling Applications, Sarun Atiganyanun

Nanoscience and Microsystems ETDs

Many biological photonic structures in nature exhibit a significant degree of disorder within their periodic framework that enhances their optical properties. However, how such disorder contributes to the unique photonic characteristics is not yet fully understood. To facilitate studies on this topic, we investigated self-assembly of microspheres as a method to controllably introduce randomness to photonic structures. Specifically, we examined Langmuir-Blodgett assembly, a layer-by-layer fabrication technique. We developed and experimentally verified a model for the process and determined a condition of surface pressure and substrate pulling speed that corresponds to a maximum structural order in a layer. Along the trajectory …

Fluid Transport In Porous Media For Engineering Applications, Eric M. Benner

Chemical and Biological Engineering ETDs

This doctoral dissertation presents three topics in modeling fluid transport through porous media used in engineering applications. The results provide insights into the design of fuel cell components, catalyst and drug delivery particles, and aluminum- based materials. Analytical and computational methods are utilized for the modeling of the systems of interest. Theoretical analysis of capillary-driven transport in porous media show that both geometric and evaporation effects significantly change the time dependent behavior of liquid imbibition and give a steady state flux into the medium. The evaporation–capillary number is significant in determining the time-dependent behavior of capillary flows in porous media. …

Cellular Modification And Artificial Cell Construction, Jimin Guo

Chemical and Biological Engineering ETDs

With all its complexities and different biofunctionalities, a cell is the basic structural and functional unit of all living organisms with the exception of viruses. In this dissertation, I demonstrated gain of function strategies of modifying mammalian cells using silicification and modular nanoparticle (NP) exoskeletons. In addition, I used a modular design concept to build a multifunctional artificial RBC system which can mimic the unique characteristics (e.g. shape, flexibility, the ability to carry oxygen, and long circulation times) of the native RBCs. Together, these cell modification or artificial cell construction strategies are expected to generate new mammalian cell-like structures with …

Validation Of The State Based Peridynamic Lattice Model, Anima Bista

Civil Engineering ETDs

This thesis presents a study performed to validate the State-based Peridynamic Lattice Model (SPLM) using results obtained from laboratory experiments. The SPLM is capable of modeling cracking of solids using particle lattices. We use a plane stress, elastic-plastic damage SPLM model for the simulations. The SPLM model is appropriate for computational simulations of cementitious materials as it automatically allows cracks to develop. In this study, the lattices are rotated through different angles and the variations of the cracking patterns are studied. In the laboratory, we performed nine Brazilian split cylinder tests, three anchor pullout/direct tensile tests, and eight compression tests …

Quantification Of Sediment Yields From Semi-Arid Watersheds Using Unmanned Aerial Systems And Photogrammetry Techniques, Jared L. Romero

Civil Engineering ETDs

Sediment has long been considered an environmental pollutant, causing physical and ecological impairments linked to the detachment and transport of sediments from the land surface to downstream communities. Additionally, aging flood control and water storage detention facilities have suffered the effects of sediment accumulation, spurring new research in the field of soil erosion and sediment yield estimation. Recent advances in technology have stimulated the use of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and photogrammetric techniques for near-surface data collection and monitoring, with such techniques being used previously to achieve centimeter-level accuracy reconstruction of the land surface. This study seeks to apply UAS …

Algorithmic Multi-Color Cmos Avalanche Photodiodes For Smart-Lighting Applications, Md Mottaleb Hossain

Optical Science and Engineering ETDs

Future smart-lighting systems are expected to deliver adaptively color-tunable and high-quality lighting that is energy efficient while also offering integrated visible-light wireless communication services. To enable these systems at a commercial level, inexpensive and fast sensors with spectral-sensing capability are required. CMOS-compatible silicon avalanche photodiodes (APDs) can be an excellent fit to this problem due to their excellent sensitivity, high speeds and cost effectiveness; however, color sensing is a challenge without resorting to expensive spectral filters, as done in commercially. To address this challenge, we have recently designed and modeled a novel CMOS-compatible dual-junction APD. The device outputs two photocurrents …

Generation And Use Of Femtosecond, Gigawatt, Near Infrared Laser Pulses From An Amplified, Mode-Locked, Ti:Sapphire Laser, David Anthony Valdés

Optical Science and Engineering ETDs

This work modeled the early to middle successes achieved in the field of ultrafast, high peak power optics, beginning with the work of Nobel Prize winners Donna Strickland and Gérard Mourou in 1985. In our work, 100 fs light pulses of around 800 nm were generated by a Ti:Sapphire oscillator, then amplified to approximately 30 GW peak power using a chirped pulse amplification system that included regenerative and multi-pass amplifiers. As a verification of our pulses having high peak powers and ultrashort durations, they were then used to strike water, glass, and a Kerr Cell. Supercontinuum generation was observed as …

Interrogation Of Spent Nuclear Fuel Casks Using Cosmic-Ray Muon Computed Tomography, Daniel C. Poulson

Nuclear Engineering ETDs

Properly accounting and safeguarding spent nuclear fuel are key components in the International Atomic Energy Agency’s mission of non-proliferation. Currently, no instruments are deployed that are able to verify the spent nuclear fuel contents of dry storage casks. Cosmic-ray muons provide an ideal probe for the heavily shielded casks due to their ability to penetrate thick, dense materials. Coulombic scattering of the muons, to first order, is proportional to the Z2/A of the material; this makes it especially sensitive to actinides, such as uranium and plutonium. The combination of these traits allows muons to be used to image and verify …

Non-Invasive Beam Monitoring With Harmonic Cavities, Brock F. Roberts

Electrical and Computer Engineering ETDs

NON INVASIVE BEAM MONITORING WITH HARMONIC CAVITIES

by

Brock Franklin Roberts

B.S PHYSICS, UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA DAVIS, 1992

DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING

UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO, 2019

ABSTRACT

A cavity designed to have multiple harmonic TM0N0 modes can be used to accurately measure the longitudinal profile of a bunched charged particle beam passing through its bore, non-invasively, and in real time.

Multi-harmonic TM0N0 cavities were designed, constructed, and beamline tested in a variety of experiments at the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (TJNAF or Jlab). Measurements with a sampling oscilloscope provided signals that resemble the profile of electron …

Metabolon-Inspired Design Of Multi-Modal Catalytic Cascade, Madelaine Seow Chavez

Chemical and Biological Engineering ETDs

Developing hybrid catalytic systems has been researched for the past decade in an effort to efficiently incorporate catalysts of different modalities in catalytic cascades. It has become imperative to design a cascade system where the catalysts are spatially organized to control the delivery of precursors, intermediates, and products. In this work, we have shown that a molecular catalyst, biocatalyst, and metallic catalyst can be co-localized using a carbonaceous support to create a hybrid catalytic system and complete the oxidation of oxalic acid to create a microchemical reactor. The molecular, pyrene-TEMPO catalyst oxidizes glyoxalic acid to oxalic acid. The enzyme oxalate …

Transport In Mid-Wavelength Infrared (Mwir) P- And N-Type Inassb And Inas/Inassb Type-Ii Strained Layer Superlattices (T2sls) For Infrared Detection, Lilian K. Casias

Electrical and Computer Engineering ETDs

In order to tackle vertical transport, lateral transport must be better understood. There are added challenges to determining the lateral bulk carrier concentration in narrow bandgap materials due to the potential for electron accumulation at the surface of the material and at its interface with the layer grown directly below it. Electron accumulation layers form high conductance electron channels that can dominate both resistivity and Hall-Effect transport measurements. Therefore, to correctly determine the lateral bulk concentration and mobility, temperature- and magnetic-field-dependent transport measurements in conjunction with Multi-Carrier Fit (MCF) analysis were utilized on a series of p-doped InAs_{0.91 …}

Developing A Synthetic Model Of The Candida Albicans Cell Wall Using Self-Assembled Monolayers To Host Beta-Glucan As Ligands, Ushnik Ghosh

Biomedical Engineering ETDs

The goal of this investigation is to study mechanisms the immune cell receptor, Dectin-1, uses to identify the fungal cell species, Candida albicans. Dectin-1 identifies extracellular matrix polysaccharides that Candida albicans express known as β-glucan. To study the interaction of β-glucan – Dectin-1 at the nanoscopic scale, the investigators of this project have endeavored to model the Candida albicans cell wall with engineered Self-Assembled Monolayers presenting β-glucan as a ligand for immobilized Dectin-1 receptors. By engineering a simplified ex-vivo model of the Candida albicans cell wall, the investigators of this study aim to gain precise control of the composition …

Modeling Multiphase Flow And Substrate Deformation In Nanoimprint Manufacturing Systems, Andrew Cochrane

Nanoscience and Microsystems ETDs

Nanopatterns found in nature demonstrate that macroscopic properties of a surface are tied to its nano-scale structure. Tailoring the nanostructure allows those macroscopic surface properties to be engineered. However, a capability-gap in manufacturing technology inhibits mass-production of nanotechnologies based on simple, nanometer-scale surface patterns. This gap represents an opportunity for research and development of nanoimprint lithography (NIL) processes. NIL is a process for replicating patterns by imprinting a fluid layer with a solid, nano-patterned template, after which ultraviolet cure solidifies the fluid resulting in a nano-patterned surface. Although NIL has been demonstrated to replicate pattern features as small as 4 …

Iron-Containing Nanoparticles For The Treatment Of Chrionic Biofilm Infections In Cystic Fibrosis, Leisha M. A. Martin

Nanoscience and Microsystems ETDs

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the most common genetic disease resulting in the morbidity and mortality of Caucasian children and adults worldwide. Due to a genetic mutation resulting in malfunction of the Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR) protein, CF patients produce highly viscous mucus in their respiratory tract. This leads to impairment of the mucociliary clearance of inhaled microbes. In addition to reduced microbial clearance, anoxic environmental conditions in the lungs promote biofilm-mode growth of the pathogenic bacterial species Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Chronic infections of P. aeruginosa begin in early childhood and typically persist until respiratory failure and death result. The …

Nitrate Dynamics In An Arid Irrgation Network: Can Nutrient Loops Be Closed With Management Techniques?, Kelsey B. Bicknell

Civil Engineering ETDs

Nutrients are the third leading cause of impairment in aquatic ecosystems, yet they remain necessary to support our growing agriculture system. Mining (as with phosphorus) and manufacturing (as with synthetic nitrogen) fertilizers deplete non-renewable resources and consume large amounts of energy. We have opportunities to optimize food-energy-water (FEW) resources, particularly in arid regions where wastewater, rather than agriculture, is the number one contributor of nutrients. This study evaluates the capacity of three unique channels (i.e., the Drain canal, the Delivery canal, and the Rio Grande River) within the agriculture system of the Middle Rio Grande Valley to process nutrients from …

Development Of Actionable Metrics For Water Loss Reduction In Water Distribution Systems, James R. Markham

Civil Engineering ETDs

Many water utilities lose significant amounts of treated water (and the revenue that does with it) through pipe breaks or undetected leaks in their underground distribution networks. To help utilities understand their water loss, the American Water Works Association developed a Water Audit Software program which calculates lost volumes and system performance indicators based on input supplied by the water utility.

To make the Water Audit Software a more useful tool for a greater number of utilities and the states that mandate auditing, additional fields should be added to the Water Audit Software to collect data about system pipe materials, …

Drivable Space Datasets Created By Airborne Lidar And Aerial Imagery, Ryan E. Dow

Civil Engineering ETDs

The civil engineering and construction industries are currently using geo browsers such as Google Earth to access satellite and aerial imagery to create and update design drawings for roadway construction, which leads to inaccuracies in the construction phase and in effect, delays the time, and increases the cost of a project. Technological advancements in the civil engineering and construction industries have enabled the design processes to be more efficient and accurate. This research focuses on using the cutting-edge technology of airborne LiDAR and aerial imagery to extract roadway network information from an urban area, which can be used to enhance …

Detection And Classification Of Vibrating Objects In Sar Images, Francisco German Perez Venegas

Electrical and Computer Engineering ETDs

The vibratory response of buildings and machines contains key information that can be exploited to infer their operating conditions and to diagnose failures. Furthermore, since vibration signatures observed from the exterior surfaces of structures are intrinsically linked to the type of machinery operating inside of them, the ability to monitor vibrations remotely can enable the detection and identification of the machinery.

This dissertation focuses on developing novel techniques for the detection and M-ary classification of vibrating objects in SAR images. The work performed in this dissertation is conducted around three central claims. First, the non-linear transformation that the micro-Doppler return …

A Transient Thermal And Structural Analysis Of Fuel In The Annular Core Research Reactor, Elliott Pelfrey

Mechanical Engineering ETDs

The health of a nuclear reactor’s fuel is essential to the operational longevity of the reactor. The health of the fuel in the Annular Core Research Reactor (ACRR) is a topic of increased interest due to both a proposed new facility that would include the ACRR and the recent resurfacing of contradictory reports regarding thermal stresses in its fuel pellets. Unlike other reactor fuels, which are widely used and well-characterized, the fuel in the ACRR is unique. The ACRR’s fuel elements consist of UO­₂-BeO fuel pellets, fluted niobium refractory liners, and stainless-steel cladding. The purpose of this thesis …

Strong Light Matter Interactions At The Nanoscale: Formation Of Polaritons In Hybrid Dielectric Metasurfaces, Huck Kootenai Green

Electrical and Computer Engineering ETDs

Study and control of light matter interactions at the nanoscale is an extremely active topic of research as it can create intriguing new opportunities for sensing, optoelectronics, nonlinear optics, and other nanophotonic devices. Various platforms have been investigated to study light-matter interactions at the nanoscale. The most recent explorations in research come from one platform, metasurfaces – planar equivalents of three dimensional metamaterials. Previous studies of strong light matter interaction have been demonstrated on metallic metasurfaces. However, there are little experiments demonstrating strong light-matter interaction in all dielectric metasurfaces. We present a study demonstrating strong light-matter interactions in a hybrid …

Direct Numerical Simulation Of Incompressible Spatially Developing Turbulent Mixing Layers, Juan Diego Colmenares Fernandez

Mechanical Engineering ETDs

Turbulent mixing layers are a canonical free shear flow in which two parallel fluid streams of different velocities mix at their interface. Understanding spatial development of a turbulent mixing layer is essential for various engineering applications. However, multiple factors affect physics of this flow, making it difficult to reproduce results in experiments and simulations. The current study investigates sensitivity of direct numerical simulation (DNS) of such a flow to computational parameters. In particular, effects of the computational domain dimensions, grid refinement, thickness of the splitter plate, and the laminar boundary layer characteristics at the splitter plate trailing edge are considered. …

Incorporation Of Egfr And Ron Receptors Into Nanodiscs, Cristina Flores-Cadengo

Biomedical Engineering ETDs

Understanding the structure-function relationship of membrane receptors is essential to comprehend the crosstalk between key signaling pathways. Aberrant trans-activation between receptors can lead to tumorigenesis. Two of these receptors known to be involved in cancer development are receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs), RON (Recepteur d'Origine Nantais) and EGFR (Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor). There has been evidence of heterodimerization and crosstalk between these two receptors based on co-immunoprecipitation, however the structural requirements behind these interactions remain unknown. Structural studies could provide insights into these RTKs’ modes of dimerization and structure-function relationship. However, structural studies of full-length membrane proteins are often difficult due …

The Influence Of Process Variables On Physical And Mechanical Properties In Laser Powder Bed Fusion, Joshua Robert Koepke, Bradley Jared, Yu-Lin Shen

Mechanical Engineering ETDs

Laser powder bed fusion additive manufacturing consists of a process that incorporates many process variables into fabricating parts. This study investigated several of these process variables and determined their influence on part properties. The process variables investigated include laser power, velocity, focus offsets, layer thickness, and powder particle size. Physical properties will be compared including surface roughness, form, and density. Tensile testing provided mechanical properties including unloading Young’s modulus, ultimate tensile strength, yield strength, uniform elongation, and ductility. Process maps will be developed that will provide recommendations for these process settings. It will be shown that these laser settings can …