Engineering Commons^™

Architecture, Modeling, And Analysis Of A Plasma Impedance Probe, Magathi Jayaram

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Variations in ionospheric plasma density can cause large amplitude and phase changes in the radio waves passing through this region. Ionospheric weather can have detrimental effects on several communication systems, including radars, navigation systems such as the Global Positioning Sytem (GPS), and high-frequency communications. As a result, creating models of the ionospheric density is of paramount interest to scientists working in the field of satellite communication.

Numerous empirical and theoretical models have been developed to study the upper atmosphere climatology and weather. Multiple measurements of plasma density over a region are of marked importance while creating these models. The lack …

Incorporating Spatial Information Into Gas Plume Detection In Hyperspectral Imagery, Cameron S. Grant

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Detection of chemical plumes in hyperspectral data is a problem having solutions that focus on spectral information. These solutions neglect the presence of the spatial information in the scene. The spatial information is exploited in this work by assignment of prior probabilities to neighborhood configurations of signal presence or absence. These probabilities are leveraged in a total probability approach to testing for signal presence in a pixel of interest. The two new algorithms developed are named spatial information detection enhancement (SIDE) and bolt-on SIDE (B-SIDE). The results are explored in comparison to the clutter matched filter (CMF), a standard spectral …

Toward The Validation Of Depth-Averaged, Steady-State Simulations Of Fluvial Flows Using Three-Dimensional, Steady-State, Rans Turbulence Models, Pedro Abdiel Mateo Villanueva

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Calculations of fluvial flows are strongly influenced by geometry complexity and large overall uncertainty on every single measurable property, such as velocity and shear. Moreover, a considerable portion of the data obtained from computational simulations arose from two-dimensional, steady-state models. The present work states a different approach to perform computer-based simulations and analyze fluvial flows. For the first part, the suitability of OpenFOAM to be used as the main CFD solver to analyze fluvial flows is studied. Initially, two well documented channel configurations are computationally studied using OpenFOAM. Finally, these results are compared to the output obtained from one of …

Destructive Testing And Finite-Element Modeling Of Full-Scale Bridge Sections Containing Precast Deck Panels, Travis R. Brackus

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Full-depth, precast panel deck systems are becoming more common in bridge installation and repair. The objective of these systems is to achieve the performance of cast-in-place systems while simultaneously saving time and money. The structural behavior of these systems has been the subject of scrutiny in recent research. The Utah Department of Transportation demolished a steel I-girder bridge containing a precast panel deck system and provided two full-scale specimens for this project. Destructive testing was performed at Utah State University on the specimens to investigate three failure modes: flexural, beam shear, and punching shear. Finite-element models were created using ANSYS …

Increasing Parameter Certainty And Data Utility Through Multi-Objective Calibration Of A Spatially Distributed Temperature And Solute Model, Christina J. Bandaragoda, Bethany T. Neilson

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

To support the goal of distributed hydrologic and instream model predictions based on physical processes, we explore multi-dimensional parameterization determined by a broad set of observations. We present a systematic approach to using various data types at spatially distributed locations to decrease parameter bounds sampled within calibration algorithms that ultimately provide information regarding the extent of individual processes represented within the model structure. Through the use of a simulation matrix, parameter sets are first locally optimized by fitting the respective data at one or two locations and then the best results are selected to resolve which parameter sets perform best …

Selective Biochlorination Of Hydroxyquinolines By A Flavin-Dependent Halogenase, Fuchao Xu, Amanda Merkley, Dayu Yu, Jixun Zhan

Biological Engineering Faculty Publications

Rdc2 is a flavin-dependent halogenase from Pochonia chlamydosporia. Through the introduction of a His₆-tag to both the N- and C-termini, the isolation yield of Rdc2 from Escherichia coli using Ni-NTA affinity chromatography was increased by three-fold. In vitro reaction of Rdc2 and a flavin reductase (Fre) with seven different hydroxyquinolines revealed that 3-hydroxyquinoline (3), 5-hydroxyquinoline (5), 6-hydroxyquinoline (6), and 7-hydroxyquinoline (7) can be specifically halogenated. These products were prepared by incubating the corresponding substrates with IPTG-induced E. coli BL21(DE3)/Rdc2. They were respectively characterized as 3-hydroxy-4-chloroquinoline (3a), 5-hydroxy-6-chloroquinoline (5a), 5-chloro-6-hydroxyquinoline (6a), and 7-hydroxy-8-chloroquinoline (7a) by NMR and MS …

Earth Systems Lesson Plan: Size And Forces Of The Solar System, Getaway Special Team 2010

Education and Outreach

No abstract provided.

Physics Lesson Plan: How Far And Fast Does It Travel?, Getaway Special Team 2010

Education and Outreach

No abstract provided.

Elementary And Middle School Science Lesson Plan: Solid, Liquid, Gas, What Is It?, Getaway Special Team 2010

Education and Outreach

No abstract provided.

Groundwater Stress And Vulnerability In Rural Coastal Aquifers Of The Kalpitiya Peninsula, Sri Lanka, D. Jayasekera, Jagath J. Kaluarachchi, K. Villholth

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

Rural coastal aquifers are undergoing rapid changes due to increasing population, high water demand with expanding agricultural and domestic uses, and seawater intrusion due to unmanaged water pumping. The combined impact of these activities is the deterioration of groundwater quality, public health concerns, and unsustainable water demands. The Kalpitiya peninsula located northwest of Sri Lanka is one area undergoing such changes. This land area is limited and surrounded almost completely by sea and lagoon. This study consists of groundwater sampling and analysis, and vulnerability assessment using the DRASTIC method. The results reveal that the peninsula is experiencing multiple threats due …

Year Six Annual Report: Activities, Findings And Evaluators' Reports, Ncete Faculty

Reports to NSF

The National Center for Engineering and Technology Education (NCETE) is a collaborative network of scholars with backgrounds in technology education, engineering, and related fields. Our mission is to build capacity in technology education and to improve the understanding of the learning and teaching of high school students and teachers as they apply engineering design processes to technological problems.

A One-Dimensional Finite-Difference Solver For Fully-Developed Pipe And Channel Flows, Doug F. Hunsaker

Utah Space Grant Consortium

An algorithm is developed to solve the fundamental flow cases of fully-developed turbulent flow in a pipe and in a channel. The algorithm uses second-order finite-difference approximations for nonuniform grid spacing and is developed in such a way as to easily facilitate the implementation of several two-equation, Reynolds-Averaged-Navier-Stokes turbulence models. Results are included for the Wilcox 1998 k-ω model.

Laboratory Approach To Modeling The Initiating Mechanism In The Piping Failure Of Sandy Soils, Olalekan O. Olorunsola

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

This research intends to develop a testing apparatus to measure the critical gradient in sandy soils. The designed apparatus will be used in subsequent studies to develop a relationship between critical hydraulic gradient, soil properties and the inclination of the exit face.

This study evaluates several design modification to assess the effects of the modifications, and develop a design that most closely models the field mechanism of piping initiation. The design is initiated from a conceptual design and is executed into the first version. This design is called the Alpha Version. The next version, or more precisely, the Beta Version, …

Coping With The Curse Of Dimensionality By Combining Linear Programming And Reinforcement Learning, Scott H. Burton

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Reinforcement learning techniques offer a very powerful method of finding solutions in unpredictable problem environments where human supervision is not possible. However, in many real world situations, the state space needed to represent the solutions becomes so large that using these methods becomes infeasible. Often the vast majority of these states are not valuable in finding the optimal solution. This work introduces a novel method of using linear programming to identify and represent the small area of the state space that is most likely to lead to a near-optimal solution, significantly reducing the memory requirements and time needed to arrive …

Oscillation Phenomenon Of The New York Canal At The I-84 Overpass In Boise, Idaho, Erik W. Robison

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

As part of the Idaho Transportation department's GARVEE program, the 1-84 bridge structure at the New York Canal in Boise, Idaho, was widened in 2009. During the 2009 irrigation season, oscillation patterns were noticed at the bridge structure which resulted in erosion damage to the banks of the canal. After ITD consulted with Horrocks Engineers, a contract was established with the Utah Water Research Laboratory at Utah State University to construct a Froude scale model of the structure. The purpose of the model was to determine the cause of the oscillations, and develop an effective method to eliminate them. The …

Autonomous Security Patrol System, Jake Erramouspe

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

This project provides an efficient and cost-effective solution to building security and active monitoring. The security is monitored and controlled by autonomous patrol robots. Any indication of a security breach will result in an immediate alarm and activation of the robot group to subdue and tranquilize the intruder.

Data Analysis Of Utah's I-80 And I-215 Bridges - For The Use In The Development Of Accelerated Bridge Construction Standards, Erik S. Rosvall

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This study discusses five bridges on Utah's I-80 that were replaced in the summer of 2008 using Accelerated Bridge Construction methods. Each superstructure was built offsite and moved into place with the use of Self-Propelled Modular Transporters. The bridges were instrumented and monitored during the moving process to investigate the effects of moving an entire superstructure into place. Collected data was analyzed to find the level of stress each superstructure experienced during lifting, moving, and placement of each bridge.

The change in supporting conditions from when the superstructure was built to being transferred onto Self-Propelled Modular Transporters caused significant stress …

Remotely Sensed Data Assimilation Technique To Develop Machine Learning Models For Use In Water Management, Bushra Zaman

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Increasing population and water conflicts are making water management one of the most important issues of the present world. It has become absolutely necessary to find ways to manage water more efficiently. Technological advancement has introduced various techniques for data acquisition and analysis, and these tools can be used to address some of the critical issues that challenge water resource management.

This research used learning machine techniques and information acquired through remote sensing, to solve problems related to soil moisture estimation and crop identification on large spatial scales. In this dissertation, solutions were proposed in three problem areas that can …

Support Materials Development And Integration For Ultrasonic Consolidation, Matthew L. Swank

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Support materials play a vital role across the entire field of additive manufacturing (AM) technologies. They are essential to provide the ability to create complex structures and features using AM. Successful implementation of support materials in ultrasonic consolidation (UC) will provide a vast opportunity for improvement of geometric complexity. Experimentation was performed to evaluate suitable support materials and their effectiveness within UC. Additionally a fused deposition modeling (FDM) system was integrated into the UC build environment to create an automated support deposition system. Finally several unique structures were built using support materials to demonstrate the improved geometric capability and to …

Guidance And Navigation Linear Covariance Analysis For Lunar Powered Descent, Travis J. Moesser

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

A linear covariance analysis is conducted to assess closed-loop guidance, navigation, and control system (GN&C) performance of the Altair vehicle during lunar powered descent. Guidance algorithms designed for lunar landing are presented and incorporated into the closed-loop covariance equations. Navigation-based event triggering is also included in the covariance formulation to trigger maneuvers and control dispersions. Several navigation and guidance trade studies are presented demonstrating the influence of triggering and guidance and study parameters on the vehicle GN&C performance.

Mathematical Modeling Of Light Utilization And The Effects Of Temperature Cycles On Productivity In A Steady-State Algal Photobioreactor, Peter Edwin Zemke

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The work presented here investigated two methods of improving productivity in microalgal photobioreactors: applying temperature cycles intended to maximize photosynthesis and minimize respiration, and development of a mathematical model that predicts improvements in photon utilization using temporal light dilution (flashing).

The experiments conducted on diurnal temperature cycles with Dunaliella tertiolecta in 30-L outdoor photobioreactors showed that a properly chosen temperature cycle can improve mass and energy productivity by 18% over an identical photobioreactor with a constant temperature. However, excessively large temperature cycle amplitudes reduced productivity. A 4-7% increase in energy content was observed in microalgae exposed to temperature cycles. The …

Analog Front-End Design Using The Gm/Id Method For A Pulse-Based Plasma Impedance Probe System, Arun J. Rao

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The Plasma Impedance Probe (PIP) is an electronic instrument that measures the impedance of a dipole antenna immersed in a plasma environment. Measurements made by the PIP provide valuable information regarding the plasma environment. Knowledge of ionospheric plasma density and density disturbances is required to understand radio frequency communication with satellites. The impedance curve provides us with significant plasma characteristics such as the electron-neutral collision frequency and plasma electron density.

The work proposed here is a transistor-level implementation of the analog front-end, the non-inverting amplifier that is used to drive the antenna. The antenna immersed in plasma is excited with …

A Study On Stainless Steel 316l Annealed Ultrasonic Consolidation And Linear Welding Density Estimation, Raelvim Gonzalez

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Ultrasonic Consolidation of stainless steel structures is being investigated for potential applications. This study investigates the suitability of Stainless Steel 316L annealed (SS316L annealed) as a building material for Ultrasonic Consolidation (UC), including research on Linear Welding Density (LWD) estimation on micrographs of samples. Experiment results are presented that include the effect of UC process parameters on SS316L annealed UC, optimum levels of these parameters, and bond quality of ultrasonically consolidated SS316L annealed structures in terms of LWD. In support to these efforts, a Measurement System Analysis for LWD assessment has been performed, and a new instrument for LWD measurement …

Architecture, Inertial Navigation, And Payload Designs For Low-Cost Unmanned Aerial Vehicle-Based Personal Remote Sensing, Calvin Coopmans

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This thesis presents work done towards a Personal Remote Sensing (PRS) system: small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) with electronic, control, and sensing subsystems. Based on papers presented to conferences (AutoTestCon2008 and MESA2009), as well as other work on PRS, multiple levels of engineering are detailed: complex multi-UAV data flow; attitude estimation filters; real-time microprocessor functionality; and small, mobile power systems. Wherever possible, Open-Source tools and designs have been used, modified, or studied, providing excellent cost to performance ratios in most cases. First, the overall PRS UAV architecture, AggieAir, is presented with a motivating examples (GhostEye and EagleEye camera payloads). Then, …

The Pursuit Of An Unequivocal Primary Representation, Delroy A. Brinkerhoff

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

A chief human characteristic is the desire and ability to change the world. Prior planning is crucial when those changes are complex and extensive, and require the cooperation of many people. To satisfy this need, many disciplines have developed specialized notations for representing the plans. Developers in one discipline, computer-based instruction, are burdened by the current need to use two separate notations. Instructional experts design the instruction and represent the design with a primary representation. The instruction described in a primary representation is easy to see, which makes the representation suitable for evaluation, communication, and enhancement. Programmers translate the primary …

Effects Of Submergence In Montana Flumes, Ryan P. Willeitner

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

As part of a continued research project for the Utah Water Research Laboratory and the State of Utah, a study of flow measurement devices is being conducted throughout the state. Initially the project included only measurement devices associated with high-risk dams, but has since been broadened to any measurement structure of interest for water users in the state. The physical dimensions, relative elevations, and flow accuracy were documented for each included device.

After visiting sixteen sites, it was found that fourteen of the measuring devices had incorrect geometries. Of these fourteen, thirteen of them were originally Parshall flumes. A large …

Thermo-Mechanical Reliability Of Micro-Interconnects In Three-Dimensional Integrated Circuits: Modeling And Simulation, Omar Rodriguez

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Three-dimensional integrated circuits (3D ICs) have been designed with the purpose of achieving higher communication speed by reducing the interconnect length between integrated circuits, and integrating heterogeneous functions into one single package, among other advantages. As a growing, new technology, researchers are still studying the different parameters that impact the overall lifetime of such packages in order to ensure the customer receives reliable end products. This study focused on the effect of four design parameters on the lifetime of the interconnects and, in particular, solder balls and through-silicon vias (TSVs). These parameters included TSV pitch, TSV diameter, underfill stiffness and …

Fundamentals Of Operation Of The Induced Bed Reactor (Ibr) Anaerobic Digester, Jacob Shaun Dustin

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The Induced Bed Reactor (IBR) was developed at Utah State University to apply high-rate anaerobic digestion techniques to high solids content substrates. This technology has been successfully implemented at full-scale multiple installations in the United States and Canada as a waste treatment and energy production technology, but the physical processes necessary to further optimize the system were not well understood.

Bench scale IBRs were operated as anaerobic digesters at 35°, 45°, and 55° C under three organic loading rates and three corresponding hydraulic retention times. Reactor performance was monitored at steady state for residence time distribution and substrate reduction.

The …

Design And Scale-Up Of Production Scale Stirred Tank Fermentors, Ryan Z. Davis

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

In the bio/pharmaceutical industry, fermentation is extremely important in pharmaceutical development, and in microbial research. However, new fermentor designs are needed to improve production and reduce costs of complex systems such as cultivation of mammalian cells and genetically engineered micro-organisms. Traditionally, stirred tank design is driven by the oxygen transfer capability needed to achieve cell growth. However, design methodologies available for stirred tank fermentors are insufficient and many times contain errors. The aim of this research is to improve the design of production scale stirred tank fermentors through the development of dimensionless correlations and by providing information on aspects of …

Wavelets As A De-Noising Approach Of Cartilage Displacement Field Determined By Mri, David Francisco Toribio Carvajal

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Tissue engineering was once categorized as a subfield of biomaterials, but having grown in scope and importance, it can be considered as a field in its own right. Tissue engineering studies the mechanical properties of tissues and the applications that repair or replace portions of or whole tissues. The analyses of the mechanical properties of tissues can help in the diagnosis of tissue diseases and in the monitoring of the progress of tissue treatments and replacements.

In order to study the mechanical properties of tissues, it is often required to repeatedly compress and decompress the tissue. This deformation process helps …