Engineering Commons^™

Graph Based Deep Reinforcement Learning Aided By Transformers For Multi-Agent Cooperation, Michael S. Elrod

All Theses

Mission planning for a fleet of cooperative autonomous drones in applications that involve serving distributed target points, such as disaster response, environmental monitoring, and surveil- lance, is challenging, especially under partial observability, limited communication range, and uncertain environments. Traditional path-planning algorithms struggle in these scenarios, particu- larly when prior information is not available. To address these challenges, I propose an innovative framework that integrates Graph Neural Networks (GNNs), Deep Reinforcement Learning (DRL), and transformer-based mechanisms for enhanced multi-agent coordination and collective task ex- ecution. My approach leverages GNNs to model agent-agent and agent-goal interactions through adaptive graph construction, enabling efficient …

Blockchain-Integrated Version Control For Secure And Transparent Software Supply Chains, Iwinosa W. Aideyan

All Theses

The software supply chain encompasses all stages of software development and delivery from initial coding and version control to integration and deployment. As development environments become increasingly distributed and reliant on external dependencies, ensuring the integrity, auditability, and consistency of code changes has become a pressing challenge. Traditional version control systems like Git, while effective for collaboration and tracking revisions, do not inherently provide tamper-evident commit histories. Features such as history rewriting (e.g., git rebase, git push --force) can be exploited to manipulate commit logs without detection, posing risks in security-sensitive domains. This thesis proposes a blockchain-integrated version control framework …

Privacy Implications Of Data Collection In Android Automotive Os, Bulut Gözübüyük

All Theses

Modern vehicles have become sophisticated computational and sensor systems, as evidenced by advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), in-car infotainment, and autonomous driving capabilities. They collect and process vast amounts of data through various onboard subsystems. One significant player in this landscape is Android Automotive OS (AAOS), which has been integrated into over 100 million vehicles and has become a dominant force in the in-vehicle infotainment (IVI) market. With this extensive data collection, privacy concerns have become increasingly crucial. The volume of data gathered by these systems raises questions about how this information is stored, used, and protected, making privacy a …

Gene Editing Combined With Apap Diet-Mediated Selection In A Ldlr-/- Mouse Model Of Familial Hypercholesterolemia, Pramita Suresh

All Theses

Cell-based gene therapy has garnered significant interest in treating familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), an autosomal co-dominant disorder characterized by elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels. However, achieving a therapeutic threshold level of engraftment of gene-modified cells is a significant hurdle. In FH, as in most liver diseases, the transplantation of healthy gene-modified hepatocytes does not result in a selective advantage for the healthy hepatocytes over native hepatocytes for clonal expansion in the liver. In FH, as in most liver diseases, the transplantation of healthy gene-modified hepatocytes does not provide a selective advantage for the healthy hepatocytes over native hepatocytes regarding clonal …

Defining Fidelity For Tradespace Application, Aditya Agrawal

All Theses

This research proposes a definition of tradespace fidelity and presents a study on its effectiveness in the tradespace. Tradespace exploration helps evaluate various design options, allowing engineers to make informed decisions in early design stages. Fidelity generally refers to how closely a model approximates reality. However, the definition of fidelity has been inconsistently defined and interpreted in various contexts concerning particular problems. In some cases, it is a measure of accuracy; in others, information; in another, uncertainty; and in others, computational complexity. Fidelity is poorly and inconsistently defined in the literature. In general, higher fidelity models tend to be more …

A Parametric Study Of Compact Wind Borne Debris In Tornadoes, Akash Yadav

All Theses

Debris lofted and transported by tornadoes is a significant source of damage during these storms. Several approaches have been taken to model such debris flight, ranging in complexity from fine-scale CFD simulations to coupling the compact debris flight equations with simplified analytic models for the tornado vortex. Both approaches have their merits, though the latter comes with significantly lower computational costs. Despite the simplifications, this second approach has successfully captured details of debris flight events established in post-tornado forensic surveys. Herein, we take advantage of the low computational cost of the latter approach to undertake a detailed parametric study of …

Mechanistic Insights Into Polymer-Assisted Graphene Exfoliation: The Roles Of Velocity, Adhesion, Cohesion, Temperature, Peeling Mode, And Edge Defect Via Coarse-Grained Molecular Dynamics, Linjiale Dai

All Theses

Graphene exfoliation is a critical step in the fabrication of high-quality graphene

layers. However, the underlying fracture mechanisms remain poorly understood. In this

work, I employed coarse-grained (CG) molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to

investigate how factors such as interfacial binding energy, substrate cohesion, temperature,

peeling mode, and edge defects influence the outcome of the exfoliation process. To model

polymer-assisted mechanical exfoliation, I used a finite-size system in which multilayer

graphene (MLG) is sandwiched between two thin polymer films. Leveraging the

spatiotemporal efficiency of the CG model, I performed fifty simulation iterations per

parameter set and analyzed the results from a …

Learning To Represent Temporal Dynamics And Generative Factors For Intelligent Visual Navigation, Sahand Khoshdel

All Theses

Visual navigation systems are crucial in various applications, including autonomous driving, unmanned aerial systems (UAS), and industrial automation. For these systems to operate efficiently in dynamic environments, they must not only interpret complex surroundings but also anticipate changes over time. Temporal prediction—forecasting environmental changes like moving obstacles or shifting lighting conditions—enables navigation systems to act proactively, enhancing both safety and performance. This dissertation investigates representation learning methods both as a backbone feature extractor for RL agents as well as a proxy for systems oriented for Explainable AI (XAI). Two main projects are presented as case studies to achieve the aforementioned …

Striking A Balance: Market Shock & Responses In Automotive Components Manufacturing, Emma Lane Mcgahey

All Theses

This thesis examines the effects of extreme market shocks on supply chain dynamics within the automotive industry. Through an analysis of demand data from an automotive manufacturer to its component suppliers (January 2018 to May 2024), the study investigates the relationship between market shocks and supply chain responses, providing insights into how auto components inventory management handles downstream responses to market shocks. With supporting public data—from FRED, BLS, and the U.S. Census Bureau resources—we explore two primary relationships: the impact of market shocks on the Average Standard Deviation of Demand (SDO) and the effect of demand variability on expedited pricing …

Investigating Challenges Of Converting Cad Models To Game Ready Assets, Vathsa Pawar

All Theses

This thesis explores the challenges associated with converting detailed CAD models into game-ready assets optimized for use in virtual reality (VR) environments using game engines, focusing on enhancing using mechanical engineering models. The primary goal is to establish a toolchain that allows the integration of CAD models into game engines for immersive applications, enabling engineers and stakeholders to interact with 3D models in a synthetic environment. The study employs several test cases ranging from simple door models to complex automotive vehicle prototypes, elaborating the process of exporting CAD models through intermediate formats (such as STEP, STL, GLB) using tools like …

Assessing The Potential For Photosynthetic Degradation Of Per- And Polyfluoroalkyl Substances, Marlow Thomas

All Theses

PFAS is a prevalent groundwater contaminant. It has been known to cause many health issues for humans and animals including cancer and several diseases. A main problem faced with PFAS is contamination in groundwater. Remediation strategies have been and continue to be researched to try to mitigate this issue. Current treatment strategies to mitigate PFAS include the use of granular activated carbon, ion exchange, chemical oxidation, and many hybrid treatments. There has not been one treatment technology to date that has prevailed as the best due to monetary and time constraints.

The main intention behind this research is to examine …

Influence Of Hygrothermal Conditions Of The Bistability Of Asymmetric Carbon Fiber Laminate Composites, Celia Hill

All Theses

Carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) laminates have widespread use in many industries because of their exceptional strength-to-weight ratio. Carbon fiber laminates following an asymmetric layup orientation can exhibit bistability meaning the laminate can exist at two stable geometric configurations. The morphing characteristics of bistable CRFP has a growing level of interest because of its potential in various applications including space aircraft structures for easy repair, automotive structures for energy dissipation and ergonomics, robotics for flexible motion and energy harvesting. Existing research shows that both moisture and temperature affect the material properties and behavior of CFRP laminates, however, the influence of moisture …

Toward Electrochemical Detection Of Salmonella Enterica Serovar Enteritidis On Hydroponically Grown Green Onions (Allium Fistulosum L.), Lisseth Casso-Hartmann

All Theses

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) established standards during the growing, harvesting, packing, and holding of produce for human consumption as part of implementing the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). One of the main requirements for farmers is to detect environmental pathogens such as Salmonella enterica species in water and sprout samples. S. enterica is a bacterium of significant concern due to its pathogenicity and ability to survive and persist in diverse environmental conditions. S. enterica has been associated with recalls in ready-to-eat foods. Traditional detection methods include Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), and plate counting, which …

Basic Safety Message Generation Through A Video-Based Analytics For Potential Safety Application, Abyad Enan

All Theses

With the advancement of modern artificial intelligence techniques, computer vision can play a vital role in enhancing roadway safety by reducing the risk of imminent collisions. To do so, a vision-based safety application is required, where a roadside camera can monitor the roadway traffic and predict potential risks of crashes in real-time. If any risky situation or behavior is observed that may lead to a crash, then a safety application can send warnings to the vehicles at risk. For vision-based safety applications on a roadway section, it is important to accurately monitor each vehicle’s location, speed, acceleration, heading direction, etc. …

Pressureless Sintering Of Sic - Oxide Multiphase Ceramics For Protective Coating Applications, Reilly Boros

All Theses

For hydrogen-fueled combustion, there exists a demand to improve coating materials that are capable of protecting SiC_f/SiC CMC turbine material. Promising coating materials must be able to shield from harsh oxidation while working at extremely high temperatures. The work presented in this thesis aims to expand the understanding of two promising material systems for integrated environmental barrier coating (EBC) – thermal barrier coatings (TBC) by fabricating bulk composite ceramic samples and performing characterization to further understand their sintering behaviors. In this study, a processing procedure to consistently produce dense composite ceramics of PDC SiC – Y₂Si …

Prediction Of Dislocation Density During Casting Of 316 Stainless Steel Based Alloys As A Function Of Chromium And Nickel Composition, Abhishek Chitradurga Ranganath

All Theses

By the 1990s, computational methods were beginning to be used to study dislocation density in mental casting. Prior to that time research was based heavily on laboratory studies. This move was encouraged by the need to overcome limitations that experimental approaches had, including high costs and time-consuming processes, and needs of researchers to understand atomic-scale phenomena. Computational techniques allow complex materials to be simulated in cost effective way and can provide insight into behaviour that could never be determined through experimental methods alone.

This work utilized molecular dynamics (MD) simulations along with machine learning approaches to examine the dislocation density …

Hardware Applications Of High-Speed Fault Detection Algorithms, Daniel Zintsmaster

All Theses

The growing need for a sustainable electric energy infrastructure has driven research into control, protection, and optimization of power systems. A key challenge is that the changing grid must operate at increasingly higher speeds, but many current hardware devices cannot meet these demands. This thesis focuses on power system protection, aiming to design a hardware solution that can detect and isolate faults in microseconds, ensuring faster, more reliable grid operations. The first hardware developed was for a low-voltage direct current (LVdc) microgrid, which faces challenges due to a lack of protection schemes and novel speed requirements. This thesis presents protection …

Comparative Analysis Of Design-Build And Design-Bid-Build Project Delivery Methods Through Cost, Schedule And Quality Performance For Warehousing And Storage Facilities, Vijaya Ravi Prasanth Reddi

All Theses

Storage facilities are essential for e-commerce operations, providing inventory, distribution, and delivery space. As per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of warehousing and storage businesses in the United States increased from 15,152 in 2010 to 21,287 in 2024, showing continuous growth over the decade. Given the recent surge, there is a need to understand the performance of these facilities better. This study aims to contrast the measure of quantitative performance of design-build (DB) versus traditional design-bid-build (DBB) project delivery methods (PDM) based on cost, schedule, and quality metrics for storage facilities. This research conducted a literature review to …

Optimizing Compression Efficiency With Adaptive Quantization Bit Depths, Carson Sisk

All Theses

Large-scale scientific instruments and applications generate massive amounts of data, lead- ing to significant challenges in data transfer and storage for analysis. This constitutes a major

bottleneck to workflow efficiency and scientific throughput. Lossy compression offers a solution to

these storage challenges in increasingly complex systems and services. Error-bounded lossy compression allows users to limit the error introduced during the compression process according to a user-defined metric and achieves significantly higher compression ratios than lossless compression for floating-point data. However, certain data types and compression configurations hinder the attainment of large compression ratios. To address the need for improved compression …

Application Of Lossy And Lossless Compression To Dicom Files, Yizhe Yang

All Theses

The Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) standard is widely utilized for the management, storage, and transfer of medical images. However, the substantial file sizes associated with DICOM data present challenges in terms of storage and data transmission. Data reduction techniques help address these challenges by minimizing the size of the data while preserving its integrity. This thesis examines various compression methods aimed at reducing the size of DICOM files. We evaluate five lossless compressors and four lossy compressors on DICOM data to compare and assess their performance. Through an analysis of each compressor’s compression efficiency and resulting image …

Life Cycle Assessment Approach For Energy Usage In Animal Rendering Plants, Abel Binoy Mathew

All Theses

The animal rendering industry plays a crucial role in transforming waste products from livestock production and meat processing facilities into valuable and economically beneficial products, promoting both resource efficiency and sustainability. This study uses a life cycle assessment (LCA) approach to evaluate energy usage and greenhouse gas emissions in animal rendering plants, focusing on electricity and natural gas as the main energy inputs for plant operation. This research examines three distinct rendering facilities, each processing different raw materials, to quantify the environmental impacts of rendering operations. Site visits, data collection, and real-time monitoring were used to capture energy use across …

Field Evaluation Of Transverse Post-Tensioning And Latex Modified Concrete On Bridge Load Distribution, Paige Waters

All Theses

The Airport Road Bridge (ARB) over Rocky Creek in Greenwood, SC is one of 377 channel bridges in South Carolina currently load-posted, limiting vehicle weight and potentially restricting access to vital services. The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) seeks a cost-effective method to strengthen these bridges and enhance their load-sharing capacity.

Through live load field testing, this research seeks to use two retrofitting techniques – transverse post-tensioning (PT) and latex modified concrete (LMC) overlay – to determine whether or not channel bridges can be improved. Direct tension testing was also performed to evaluate the substrate-overlay bond of the LMC …

Microbial-Chemical Degradation Of Styrene In Co-Mingled Plumes With Ethylbenzene, Benzene, And Carbon Tetrachloride, Marcela C. Flórez-García

All Theses

Industrial sites contaminated with a complex matrix of chemicals represent a problem for the ecosystem and a high risk for the health of all individuals. That is why remediation strategies are needed to mitigate this environmental impact. The latex zone, located at the Corteva industrial site in San Lorenzo, Argentina, is the subject of this research. The environmental impacts in this area are a consequence of petrochemical operations carried out for many years.

Monoaromatic hydrocarbons such as styrene, ethylbenzene, and benzene, and chlorinated methanes like carbon tetrachloride, chloroform, dichloromethane, and chloromethane are among the contaminants identified at the site that …

Higher Order Bessel Beams Integrated In Time (Hobbit) With Engineered Light Frequencies And Applications In Computational Imaging, Tyler Cramer

All Theses

This thesis presents an adaptive optical system which leverages the frequency shifts from an acousto-optic deflector (AOD) form an array of uniformly spaced frequency diverse beamlets. These beamlets are then spatially transformed (wrapped) into a circular array forming a non-diffracting ring with an unprecedented orbital angular momentum (OAM) mode switching rate of 50Mhz with an OAM range of ±64. Along with frequency diversity, the non-diffracting range of the beams are analyzed 6 Rayleigh ranges of an equivalently sized gaussian beam. Inherent in the frequencies superposed on the AOD are associated relative phases which can be controlled to form sets of …

The Effect Of Pressure Gradients On Perceived Discomfort, Zachary Bush

All Theses

Introduction:

A pressure gradient is where high and low pressure meet. It is responsible for displacement and irritation of the skin commonly caused by tight bandages, bracelets, or socks. The irritation is at the edge where the skin is displaced by the high and low pressure. An analysis of the effect pressure gradients have on discomfort would have significant medical relevance for any device, fixture, or clothing pressed against the skin at high pressure. This primarily includes prosthetic and orthotic devices.

The bottom surface of the heel provides a naturally circular, uniform pressure profile. This makes it the optimal testing …

Fault Detection And Location In Renewable-Fed Distribution Systems Using Low Voltage Sensors, Bushra Farhat

All Theses

The penetration of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) into the Electric Power System (EPS) is increasing. These (DERs) are mostly inverter-based resources (IBRs) that are integrated into (EPS) at the distribution level. Therefore, it has become necessary to leverage the integration of (IBRs) for both commercial and residential distribution systems through the deployment of Microgrid (MG). However, existing distribution systems that use fuses for sensing and isolating faults are not equipped to handle protection of microgrids where fault currents are fed from multiple sources and can flow downstream or upstream. Bulk of the protection schemes proposed in literature are heavily dependent …

Engineering The Properties Of Magnesium Aluminate Spinel Through Solid State Solutions, Robin Conner

All Theses

Magnesium aluminate spinel solid state solutions were prepared via the coprecipitation method and calcined in air at 900 °C for 2 h. The manipulation of magnesium aluminate spinel’s microstructure through the formation of solid state solutions with zinc and gadolinium substituting for magnesium was investigated. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR FTIR) confirmed the formation of a single cubic crystalline phase. The luminescence properties were investigated by radioluminescence (RL) under X-ray excitation and thermoluminescence (TL) measurements. In the case of zinc, all concentrations of the solid state solutions showed similar luminescence with bands at …

Genetically-Encoded Optical Barcodes For Single-Cell Analysis, Daniel Pritko

All Theses

Cell barcodes are capable of being used to answer many different biological questions. They have been used to track the lineage of cells to identifying the function of a gene. While there are multiple different methods to creating cell barcodes, they are limited in their scalability and application. In a previous publication we propose and computationally prove an optical single-cell barcoding method that bridges fast and scalable readouts with the benefits of genetic encoding. In this approach fluorescent proteins (fps) are combined to form fluorescent barcodes that can then be analyzed using a spectral flow cytometer. Here, we test the …

Exploring Healthcare Chatbot Information Presentation: Applying Hierarchical Bayesian Regression And Inductive Thematic Analysis In A Mixed Methods Study, Samuel Nelson Koscelny

All Theses

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, significantly increases the risk of heart disease and stroke, which are leading causes of death in the United States. While contributing to over 691,000 deaths in 2021 alone in the United States (U.S.), it also imposes immense economic burden on the healthcare system, costing approximately $131 billion annually. One way to address this issue is for increased self-care behaviors and medication adherence, both of which require sufficient health literacy. Despite the importance of health literacy, 90% of U.S. adults struggle with health-related subjects. Overcoming the issues associated with health literacy requires addressing the …

Trust: The Inertia Taxonomy Of Trust And Learning Outcomes Of Trust Building Exercises, Ann B. Lyons

All Theses

This study investigates United States construction professionals’ view of trust in the workplace. In particular the focus is on building trust through trust building exercises. In order to accomplish this, a literature review was conducted focusing on trust in the worldwide construction industry. This was followed by interviews with US construction professionals who focus on team building. These interviews informed a survey sent to a wide variety of US construction professionals. The survey had two sections of content questions, 1. view of trust indicators and 2. perception of trust building exercises. Finally, experts in the field of construction team building …