Engineering Commons^™

Improving Future Vehicle Fuel Economy And Operational Design Domain Through Novel Data Pipelines, Kyle James Carow

Masters Theses

Modern automobiles have greatly advanced in recent years, with technological developments that enhance performance, safety, and comfort. However, there is still much room for improvement. Today’s vehicles are heavily reliant on the combustion of fossil fuels, proven to be harmful for the environment on both a local and global scale. In addition, the safety benefits of autonomous vehicles and advanced driver assistance systems are not yet fully realized due to the limited operational design domain of these technologies. In this research, these needs are addressed through the development of two novel data pipelines. In the first study, a novel methodology …

Metabolic Modeling Of Cystic Fibrosis Airway Microbiota From Patient Samples, Arsh Vyas

Masters Theses

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disorder, found with higher prevalence in the Caucasian population, affecting > 30,000 individuals in the United States and > 70,000 worldwide. Due to the astoundingly high rate of mortality among CF patients being attributed to respiratory failure brought on by chronic bacterial infections and subsequent airway inflammation, there has been a lot of focus on systematically analyzing CF lung airway communities. While it is observed traditionally that Pseudomonas aeruginosa is the most threatening and persistent CF colonizer due to high antibiotic resistance, recent studies have elicited the roles of other pathogens and it has been widely …

Spatiotemporal Metabolic Modeling Of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Biofilm Expansion, Robert Sourk

Masters Theses

Spatiotemporal metabolic modeling of microbial metabolism is a step closer to achieving higher dimensionalities in numerical studies (in silico) of biofilm maturation. Dynamic Flux Balance Analysis (DFBA) is an advanced modeling technique because this method incorporates Genome Scale Metabolic Modeling (GSMM) to compute the biomass growth rate and metabolite fluxes. Biofilm thickness is pertinent because this variable of biofilm maturation can be measured in a laboratory (in vitro). Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) is the model bacterium used in this computational model based on previous research conducted by Dr. Michael Henson, available GSMMs, and the societal significance of patients suffering from …

Modeling The Torque Of Ferrite Nano-Particles As A Ferrofluid Suspended In Liquid To Determine The Electromagnetic Response To Angular Displacement, Jackson Tyler Brennecke

Masters Theses

Inertial sensing is an important part of engineering and technology, especially for determining spatial orientation. Most modern inertial sensing units rely on MicroElectroMechanical systems (MEMS) style gyroscopic sensors to determine angular acceleration. This research investigates a novel gyroscopic sensing technology that uses mechanical precision of magnetic nanoparticles, instead of MEMS, to determine inertial measurements. The only other study on this novel technology proposed a scalar set of equations for relating magnetic field and torque magnitude to the magnitude of angular displacement of the sensor. This research develops the theoretical model into a set of full vector equations, so that the …

Modelling The Financial Effects Of Naïve Neutral Zone Limits On Energy Storage Systems Participating In Midwest Iso Energy Markets Under Frequency Regulation Prioritization Policies, Patrick J. Mccarthy

Masters Theses

Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) participating in frequency regulation services in MISO (Midcontinent Independent System Operator) energy markets do so by charging from and discharging to the bulk electrical grid to satisfy power demands. Frequency regulation can demand a high energy throughput from a BESS, causing electrochemical aging. The aging of a BESS must be controlled to within financially feasible limits. MISO has proposed new frequency regulation prioritization policies that enable a BESS to manage its own aging by setting its acceptable State of Charge (SOC) range, called its neutral zone. MISO will seek to prioritize a BESS’ regulation so …

Control-Oriented Automatic Transmission- Based Powertrain Modeling And Simulation With Judder, Harshal B. Kundale

Masters Theses

This work presents automatic transmission-based powertrain modeling. The powertrain consists of an engine, torque converter with lock up clutch, transmission gearbox, propeller shaft, and vehicle body. Simplified powertrain component models are developed for vehicle powertrain dynamic response analysis and future control work. The powertrain components are modeled with algebraic and first order non-linear differential equations. A MATLAB-based powertrain simulation system is developed to investigate the transient characteristics during lock up of torque converter. Simulation results are used in the determination of effects of judder on torque and angular velocity. Clutch judder is a self-excited vibration that occurs during the clutch …

Well Log Interpretation And 3d Reservoir Property Modeling Of Maui-B Field, Taranaki Basin, New Zealand, Aziz Mennan

Masters Theses

"Maui-B is one of the largest hydrocarbon-producing fields in the Taranaki Basin. Many previous works have estimated reservoir volume. This study uses 3D property modeling, which is one of the most powerful tools to characterize lithology and reservoir fluids distribution through the field. This modeling will help in understanding the reservoir properties and enhancing the production by selecting the best location for future drilling candidates. In this study, 3D seismic, core, and well log data were used to build and define a structural model, facies analysis, and petrophysical parameters. After well log interpretation and petrophysical parameter calculations, each parameter was …

Assessment Of Rockfall Rollout Risk Along Varying Slope Geometries Using The Rocfall And Crsp Software, Mariam S. Al E'Bayat

Masters Theses

"Most routes in mountainous areas suffer from rock falling, rolling and bouncing risk. There are many computer programs concerned with simulating the rockfall problem, and whereas they have the same purpose, they however differ in the input data that's needed to simulate the problem, and they also differ in the way of processing and kind of output.

This study used Rocfall® and the Colorado Rockfall Simulation Program (CRSP®) to simulate sixty-three models of varying slope geometry, where only the slope geometry is changed with the same material properties for both the slope and the rocks.

Both programs were fast and …

Development And Testing Of A Fracture Energy-Based Model Of Explosive Asteroid Deflection, James A. Veerkamp

Masters Theses

"While asteroid deflection has been studied for the past half century, efforts have generally been directed towards methods that attempt to minimize disruption of the rock body. In order to widen the base of research, a fracture energy-based model of asteroid fragmentation was developed and applied to both asteroid scale and lab testable scale cases. Modeling of the orbital case suggests the capability to deflect a 100 meter diameter asteroid on a 10 year timescale. The model's predicted energy transfer is then compared to laboratory testing using a ballistic pendulum. The results of this testing suggest that the model as …

Bankfull Geomorphic Relationships And Hec-Ras Assessment In Small Catchments Of The Cumberland Plateau Ecoregion, Ryan Lee Hodges

Masters Theses

There is a great need for state governments to have effective watershed restoration and mitigation efforts to return degraded ecosystems to a stable, healthy condition. Given the growing investment in stream restoration efforts, there is an urgent need for tools to assess and improve the effectiveness of restoration efforts at local, state, and nationwide scales. In 2000 there was less than ten stream restoration permits provided by the state of Tennessee and has increased each year with almost forty permits issued in 2013. To better achieve successful stream restoration, appropriate channel designs must be used that reflect the hydraulic conditions …

Spatial Variation In Fine Sediment And Microbial Transport Along Stream Cross Sections: Implications To Modeling And Monitoring, Thomas Michael Walton

Masters Theses

Spatial variations in suspended concentrations of fine sediment and indicator bacteria in streams is noted as a source of uncertainty in various applications of water quality datasets. Without proper analysis of the persistence and reasoning for this variance in natural systems, a finer resolution of model calibration is necessary to account for spatial variation in stream cross sections. This level of calibration has become of utmost importance due to technological advancements presenting the ability for water quality modeling frameworks to generate a much finer resolution of outputs. While the importance of model calibration has been noted for remediating levels of …

Modeling Water Quality For Switchgrass Crop Production: Implications For Bioenergy Sustainability In East Tennessee, Zachariah Tzvi Seiden

Masters Theses

With passing of the US Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) of 2007, there has been considerable research conducted on the sustainability of bioenergy crop production in the United States; switchgrass has shown particular potential for bioenergy production in East Tennessee. Many studies evaluating the environmental impact switchgrass has on runoff and water quality use the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) for watershed modeling. Because SWAT is a lumped watershed model, it evaluates the result of hydrological processes for each hydrologic response unit (HRU), without accounting for the physical interactions between these HRUs. The Water Erosion Prediction Project (WEPP) …

Investigating Instabilities With Hec-Ras Unsteady Flow Modeling For Regulated Rivers At Low Flow Stages, Jennifer Kay Sharkey

Masters Theses

Dams are used throughout the United States for generation of electricity and flood control. The Tennessee River Valley’s regulated river system extends through Tennessee and parts of Kentucky, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. Of the dams in this area, 49 are managed by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). The TVA forecasts and monitors the activities related to these dams and others in the area on an around-the-clock basis to ensure maximum generation potential is attained and to prevent flooding of the surrounding cities. To best forecast hydrology for the regulated river system, the TVA chose to …

Distribution And Occurrence Of Escherichia Coli In Water And Sediments At Grand Glaize Beach In Lake Of The Ozarks State Park, Jordan Lee Wilson

Masters Theses

"Public swimming beaches at the Lake of the Ozarks State Park (LOSP) are popular vacationing spots for many Missourians; however, on several occasions Escherichia coli (E. coli) concentrations have exceeded standards set by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MDNR). Exceedances lead to beach closures which not only represent a potential public health threat but are also detrimental to the local economy and the public's perception of the lake's general water quality. In a collaborative effort between Missouri S&T, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) and the MDNR, an in-depth, two-summer study was conducted which included collection of …

Comparative Study On Posture And Its Influences On Horizontal Ground Reaction Forces Generated By Muscles: Implications For Crouch Gait, Hoa Xuan Hoang

Masters Theses

Crouch gait decreases walking efficiency due to the increased knee and hip flexion during the stance phase of gait. Crouch gait is generally considered to be disadvantageous for patients with cerebral palsy; however, a crouched posture may afford biomechanical advantages that lead some patients to adopt a crouch gait.

To investigate one possible advantage of crouch gait, a musculoskeletal model created in OpenSim was placed in 15 different postures from upright to severe crouch during initial, middle, and final stance of the gait cycle. A series of optimizations were performed for each posture to maximize ground reaction forces for the …