Engineering Commons^™

Addressing Challenges For Mapping Irrigated Fields In Subhumid Temperate Regions By Integrating Remote Sensing And Hydroclimatic Data, Tianfang Xu, Jillian M. Deines, Anthony D. Kendall, Bruno Basso, David W. Hyndman

Publications

High-resolution mapping of irrigated fields is needed to better estimate water and nutrient fluxes in the landscape, food production, and local to regional climate. However, this remains a challenge in humid to subhumid regions, where irrigation has been expanding into what was largely rainfed agriculture due to trends in climate, crop prices, technologies and practices. One such region is southwestern Michigan, USA, where groundwater is the main source of irrigation water for row crops (primarily corn and soybeans). Remote sensing of irrigated areas can be difficult in these regions as rainfed areas have similar characteristics. We present methods to address …

Mean Curvature Flow Of Compact Spacelike Submanifolds In Higher Codimension, Brendan Guilfoyle, Wilhelm Klingenberg

Publications

We prove long-time existence for mean curvature flow of a smooth n-dimensional spacelike submanifold of an n + m dimensional manifold whose metric satisfies the timelike curvature condition.

Software Defined Networks Based Smart Grid Communication: A Comprehensive Survey, Mubashir Husain Rehmani, Alan Davy, Brendan Jennings, Chadi Assi

Publications

The current power grid is no longer a feasible solution due to ever-increasing user demand of electricity, old infrastructure, and reliability issues and thus require transformation to a better grid a.k.a., smart grid (SG). The key features that distinguish SG from the conventional electrical power grid are its capability to perform two-way communication, demand side management, and real time pricing. Despite all these advantages that SG will bring, there are certain issues which are specific to SG communication system. For instance, network management of current SG systems is complex, time consuming, and done manually. Moreover, SG communication (SGC) system is …

Introducing Gaseous Transport Fuel To Ireland: A Strategic Infrastructure Framework, Niamh Power, Daniel Goulding, Dan Fitzpatrick, Rodger O'Connor, James D. Browne

Publications

European Union legislation in the form of the Renewable Energy Directive 2009/28/EC and the Deployment of Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Directive 2014/94/EC have placed mandatory requirements on Member States to deliver sustainable forms of alternative transport infrastructure in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the transport sector. However, there is currently little or no refuelling infrastructure to support the development of an alternative transport fuel market for compressed natural gas and its renewable form biomethane in a number of EU Member States. Primarily focussing on a combination of biomethane and compressed natural gas (bio-CNG), this paper analyses the key considerations …

(Invited) Emerging Role Of Silicon Carbide And Gallium Nitride Based Power Electronics In Power And Transportation Sectors, Prahaladh Paniyil, Rajendra Singh

Publications

Free fuel-based energy sources (solar and wind) are pointing towards a future in which sustainable energy is affordable, abundant and deployed with high energy efficiency. Driven by advancements in the technology of lithium batteries and the availability of low-cost sustainable clean electric power, the electrification of transportation is going through fundamental disruptive transformation. Without any doubt, both power and transportation sectors will provide phenomenal growth of power electronics in the 21st century. Recently, both SiC and GaN are drawing the attention as potential replacement of Si-based power electronics. These may open some new markets where Si based power electronics cannot …

Stem And Sustainability: Creating Aviation Professional Change Agents, P. Clark, Doreen Mcgunagle, L. Zizka

Publications

With the evolution of the workforce and the growing needs of the aviation industry, a clear need for concrete sustainability initiatives and actions have emerged. Sustainability in this sense becomes a matter of survival. For this reason, in this chapter, we will attempt to close three gaps in current sustainability studies: Theory vs practice, intention vs behavior, and education vs workplace.

Our purpose is to develop a ‘simple’ strategy for integrating all three pillars of sustainability into STEM HE programs that create authentic engagement and real buy-in from the students that are then replicated in the workplace. Based on the …

Evaluation Of Suas Education And Training Tools, Brent Terwilliger, Scott Burgess, James Solti, Kristine Kiernan, Christian Janke, Andrew Shepherd

Publications

The wide distribution and demographic composition of students seeking small unmanned aircraft system (sUAS) education presents a need to fully understand the capabilities, limitations, and dependencies of effective training tools. Concepts, practices, and technologies associated with modeling and simulation, immersive gaming, augmented and mixed-reality, and remote operation have demonstrated efficacy to support engaged student learning and objective satisfaction. Identification and comparison of key attributes critical to an aviation educational framework, such as competency-based training, enables educational designers to identify those tools with the highest potential to support successful learning. A series of factors, such as system performance, regulatory compliance, environmental …

Beyond 2020 Nextgen Compliance: Human Factors And Cognitive Loading Issues For Commercial And General Aviation Pilots, Mark D. Miller, Sam Holley

Publications

As previously identified by the authors, digitized flight decks have realigned SHELL model components and introduced cognitive overload con­cerns. Considering changes from implementing Next Generation air traffic management requirements in 2020, the authors assess digitized interfaces associated with cockpit displays of information integral to performance based navigation and similar operations. Focus is placed on Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast, digitized communications, and expanded electronic flight bags. The ADSB (In) cockpit display will enable pilots to have flight visual awareness on aircraft, terrain, weather and hazards to flight through live satellite updates every second. Increased optical demands and cognitive loading are anticipated …

A Change In The Dark Room: The Effects Of Human Factors And Cognitive Loading Issues For Nextgen Tracon Air Traffic Controllers, Mark D. Miller, Sam Holley, Bettina Mrusek, Linda Weiland

Publications

By 2020 all aircraft in United States airspace must use ADS-B (Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast) Out. This is a key component of the Next Generation (NextGen) Air Transportation System, which marks the first time all aircraft will be tracked continuously using satellites instead of ground-based radar. Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System (STARS) in the Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) is a primary NextGen upgrade where digitized automation/information surrounds STARS controllers while controlling aircraft. Applying the SHELL model, the authors analyze human factors changes affecting TRACON controllers from pre-STARS technology through NextGen technologies on performance. Results of an informal survey of STARS …

Modelling Of Aerodynamic Process For Coal Waste Dump Located In Geodynamically Dangerous Zone, Elena Vishnevskaya, Alexander Kobylkin, Valeriya Musina, Andrian Batugin, Vladimir Ponomarev, Oksana Vorobyeva

Publications

Previously made evaluations show confinement of fire coal waste dumps to geodynamically dangerous zones which in this work are considered as borders of active blocks of the earth crust. According to the hypothesis under development, when disposing the dumps in geodynamically dangerous zones (GDZ), which have a high penetrating, aerodynamic relation of the dumps with the environment occurs, making the dumps firing possible. Firing of the dumps inflicts environmental, social and material damage. This research is aimed to study possible mechanism of gas mass transfer through GDZ into the body of dump on the base of computer modeling of aerodynamic …

Artificial Intelligence In The Aviation Manufacturing Process For Complex Assemblies And Components, Elena Vishnevskaya, Ian Mcandrew, Michael Johnson

Publications

Aviation manufacturing is at the leading edge of technology with materials, designs and processes where automation is not only integral; but complex systems require more advanced systems to produce and verify processes. Critical Infrastructure theory is now used to protect systems and equipment from external software infections and cybersecurity techniques add an extra layer of protection. In this research, it is argued that Artificial Intelligence can reduce these risks and allow complex processes to be less exposed to the threat of external problems, internal errors or mistakes in operation.

Identifying Key Topics Bearing Negative Sentiment On Twitter: Insights Concerning The 2015-2016 Zika Epidemic, Ravali Mamidi, Michele Miller, Tanvi Banerjee, William Romine, Amit Sheth

Publications

Background To understand the public sentiment regarding the Zika virus, social media can be leveraged to understand how positive, negative, and neutral sentiments are expressed in society. Specifically, understanding the characteristics of negative sentiment could help inform federal disease control agencies’ efforts to disseminate relevant information to the public about Zika-related issues.

Objective The purpose of this study was to analyze the public sentiment concerning Zika using posts on Twitter and determine the qualitative characteristics of positive, negative, and neutral sentiments expressed.

Methods Machine learning techniques and algorithms were used to analyze the sentiment of tweets concerning Zika. A supervised …

Uncertainty Theory Based Reliability-Centric Cyber-Physical System Design, Houbing Song, Ya Jiang, Mingzhe Wang, Xun Jiao, Hui Kong, Rui Wang, Yongxin Liu, Jian Wang, Jiaguang Sun

Publications

Cyber-physical systems (CPSs) are built from, and depend upon, the seamless integration of software and hardware components. The most important challenge in CPS design and verification is to design CPS to be reliable in a variety of uncertainties, i.e., unanticipated and rapidly evolving environments and disturbances. The costs, delays and reliability of the designed CPS are highly dependent on software-hardware partitioning in the design. The key challenges in partitioning CPSs is that it is difficult to formalize reliability characterization in the same way as the uncertain cost and time delay.

In this paper, we propose a new CPS design paradigm …

Using Active Learning And The Wright State Model For Engineering Mathematics Education To Cultivate Academic Success Among First-Year Engineering Students, Leroy Long Iii

Publications

A mid-sized private university in the Southeast has created an experimental first-year engineering course based on the Wright State Model for Engineering Mathematics Education. The course aims to increase student retention, motivation, and success in engineering through an application-oriented, hands-on introduction to engineering mathematics. Therefore, active learning techniques were used throughout the course. Students provided preliminary qualitative data via end-of-course evaluations. Preliminary quantitative data included student course grades, cumulative GPAs (CGPAs), and retention rates. Thus far, students taking the experimental firstyear engineering course believe they gain confidence and skills such as problem-solving, time management, study habits, computer programming, as well …

Fatigue Identification And Management In Flight Training: An Investigation Of Collegiate Aviation Pilots, Flavio A. C. Mendonca Ph.D.

Publications

Pilot fatigue is a significant hazard affecting flight operations;

• Generally the product of one or more factors: Disrupted or lack of sleep;
• Inadequate food and or fluid intake;
• Mental;
• and Physical fatigue.

Previous studies have focused on military and commercial flight operations;

• Little to nothing has been done to investigate fatigue identification & management by general aviation pilots!

Synthesis Of Fault Traces In Se Louisiana Relative To Infrastructure, David Culpepper, Elizabeth Chinn Mcdade, Nancye Dawers, Mark Kulp, Rui Zhang

Publications

Geological faulting has been implicated as a contributor to subsidence, coastal land-loss and submergence of marshlands in southern Louisiana. This report reviews whether fault motion, either by slow creep or more sudden slip, can cause deformation of engineered structures resulting in increased infrastructure maintenance and repair costs. The impact of surface, or near-surface, geologic faulting on critical infrastructure is insufficiently documented in southeastern Louisiana, but the state has a vast amount of energy-sector subsurface data that to date has been under-utilized for transportation and other near-surface engineering applications. Recent and on-going work by research groups at Tulane University, University of …

Transforming The Professional Flight Program Curriculum: Justification, Process, And Future Development, Julius Keller, Flavio A. C. Mendonca, Brian G. Dillman, Michael Suckow

Publications

According to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), by 2036 the aviation sector will need 620,000 new pilots, 125,000 new air traffic controllers, and 1.3 million aircraft maintenance personnel (ICAO, 2018);

Pilots seeking a first officer position (a common entry-level position at Part 121 air carriers) are required to possess an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) Certificate and 1,500 hours of total flight time;

There are some exceptions!

Support from administration

Quantity vs Quality;

How can flight faculty improve student learning and job readiness?

Determination Of Personalized Asthma Triggers From Multimodal Sensing And A Mobile App: Observational Study, Revathy Venkataramanan, Krishnaprasad Thirunarayan, Utkarshani Jaimini, Dipesh Kadariya, Hong Yung Yip, Maninder Kalra, Amit Sheth

Publications

Background: Asthma is a chronic pulmonary disease with multiple triggers. It can be managed by strict adherence to an asthma care plan and by avoiding these triggers. Clinicians cannot continuously monitor their patients’ environment and their adherence to an asthma care plan, which poses a significant challenge for asthma management.

Objective: In this study, pediatric patients were continuously monitored using low-cost sensors to collect asthma-relevant information. The objective of this study was to assess whether kHealth kit, which contains low-cost sensors, can identify personalized triggers and provide actionable insights to clinicians for the development of a tailored asthma care plan. …

Uas Flight Operations In Complex Terrain: Assessing The Agricultural Impact From Hurricane Maria In The Central Mountainous Region Of Puerto Rico, Kevin Adkins

Publications

Hurricane Maria struck Puerto Rico in September 2017 as a Category 4 storm causing major damage to infrastructure, agriculture and natural ecosystems, as well as the loss of many lives. Among the crops hardest hit was coffee, one of the most important crops in Puerto Rico. As a perennial system, coffee takes various production forms along a gradient from high shade/biodiversity coffee farms to low shade coffee monocultures and therefore offers an ideal means for the study of resistance and resilience of an agroecosystem to weather and climate disturbance. During the summer of 2018, 14 impacted farms across the production …

An Investigation Of The Magneto-Active Slosh Control For Cylindrical Propellant Tanks Using Floating Membranes, Manikandan Vairamani, Pedro Llanos, Balaji Sivasubramanian, Somnath Nagendra, Kevin Crosby

Publications

The phenomenon of sloshing is a substantial challenge in propellant management, particularly in reduced gravity where surface tension-driven flows result in large slosh amplitudes and relatively long decay time scales. Propellant Management Devices (PMDs) such as the rigid baffles and elastomeric membranes are often employed to counteract motion of the free surface. In the present study, we investigate an active PMD that utilizes a free-floating membrane that, under an applied static magnetic field, becomes rigid and suppresses slosh. This semi-rigid structural layer can thereby replace bulky baffle structures and reduce the overall weight of the tank. In this paper, the …

Instilling An Entrepreneurial Mindset In A New Generation Of First-Year Engineering Students Through A Graphics Course Project, Lulu Sun, Leroy Long Iii

Publications

Each year, an increasing number of engineering start-up companies emerge in the U.S. and around the world. Innovation and entrepreneurship have never been so pronounced, especially in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. How can we train engineering students to be more entrepreneurially-minded so they are well-equipped to become global innovators? Engineering educators can use entrepreneurially-minded learning activities to help students develop an entrepreneurial mindset, which is a set of beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors. At a mid-sized Southeastern private institution, we used an open-ended team project and an end-of-semester poster competition within a freshman-level engineering graphics course to encourage …

Infographic: Enhancing Engineering Students’ Communication Skills Through A Team-Based Graphics Course Project, Leroy Long Iii, Kari L. Jordan, William Wanyagah

Publications

This infographic supports the article Enhancing Engineering Students’ Communication Skills through a Team-Based Graphics Course Project which can be accessed here: https://commons.erau.edu/asee-edgd/conference70/papers-2016/5/

Infographic: Stem All-Stars, Mckenna James, Leroy Long Iii

Publications

In this infographic, professional athletes with degrees in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) are displayed. For a variety of sports, the achievements, awards, and degrees of professional athletes are shown. Each of these professional athletes prove that students can study STEM while also being a successful athlete. Whether they studied mathematics, psychology, or aerospace engineering, these athletes from various racial/ethnic backgrounds rose to the challenge and achieved greatness in the classroom and in their sport. Due to the lack of female professional sports, the representation of professional female athletes is not shown. This infographic is meant to encourage youth …

Infographic: Celebrities Endorsing Stem, Melanie Canfield, Leroy Long Iii

Publications

This infographic displays quotes from a diverse group of celebrities promoting careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). These male and female celebrities of different racial and ethnic groups include professional athletes, actors, authors, musicians, and models. This infographic was inspired by Verizon's #weneedmore campaign, which featured LeBron James, Drew Brees, Adriana Lima, and Zendaya. Many youth aspire to become celebrities and are aware of careers related to athletics, acting, and music. However, far less youth aspire to become STEM professionals and are aware of the countless career opportunities in STEM fields. This infographic is not meant to discourage …

Infographic: D1 Stem Student-Athletes, Mckenna James, Leroy Long Iii

Publications

In this infographic, Division I student-athletes studying degrees in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) are displayed. The infographic focuses on women and racial/ethnic minoritized students who pursue STEM degrees and play a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I sport. For a variety of sports, the achievements, awards, and degrees of collegiate athletes are displayed. Whether they studied mathematics, psychology, or aerospace engineering, these diverse individuals from different gender/racial backgrounds rose to the challenge of being a STEM student-athlete and achieved greatness.

Traditional Vs Gesture Based Uav Control, Sam J. Holley, Brian Sanders, Dennis Vincenzi, Yuzhong Shen

Publications

Abstract. The purpose of this investigation was to assess user preferences for controlling an autonomous system. A comparison using a virtual environment (VE) was made between a joystick based, game controller and a gesture-based system using the leap motion controller. Command functions included basic flight maneuvers and switching between the operator and drone view. Comparisons were made between the control approaches using a representative quadcopter drone. The VE was designed to minimize the cognitive loading and focus on the flight control. It is a physics-based flight simulator built in Unity3D. Participants first spend time familiarizing themselves with the basic controls …

Infographic: Be A Stem Professional, Christian Pierre, Leroy Long Iii

Publications

Infographic describing top STEM professions.

Fiber Element-Based Nonlinear Analysis Of Concrete Bridge Piers With Consideration Of Permanent Displacement, Mokhtar Ansari, Farhad Daneshjoo, Amir Safiey, Naser Safaeian Hamzehkolaei, Maryam Sorkhou

Publications

Utilization of fiber beam-column element has gained considerable attention in recent years due mainly to its ability to model distributed plasticity over the length of the element through a number of integration points. However, the relatively high sensitivity of the method to modeling parameters as well as material behavior models can pose a significant challenge. Residual drift is one of the seismic demands which is highly sensitive to modeling parameters and material behavior models. Permanent deformations play a prominent role in the post-earthquake evaluation of serviceability of bridges affected by a near- fault ground shaking. In this research, the influence …

Integrated Health Monitoring And Reinforcement Of Transportation Structures With Optimized Low-Cost Multifunctional Braided Cables, Ibrahim Karaman, Darren Hartl

Publications

The objective of this research study is to design, fabricate, and characterize multifunctional high strength and self-sensing braided cables and structures using novel Fe-based shape memory alloys (SMAs). The system exploits unique properties of recently developed low-cost super-elastic FeMnAlNi SMAs, which enables excellent super-elastic properties, high strength, and self-sensing in structural health monitoring (SHM) systems. This novel material technology can be coupled with modeling efforts that allow for accurate prediction of both the materials and structural response during sensing. At the conclusion of the project, we have demonstrated that with careful design of processing parameters, it is possible to control …

Investigating Problem Of Distracted Drivers On Louisiana Roadways, Xiaoduan Sun

Publications

Due to the escalating usage of cellphone and social networking, distracted driving is and will remain as one of the most serious problems faced by Departments of Transportation (DOTs) and law enforcement agencies. Under the aim of in-depth investigation of distracted driving crashes in Louisiana, the specific objectives of this study are: (1) reviewing the crash reports for the quality of distracted driving crash reporting, (2) analyzing distracted driving-related crashes through regression model and data mining algorithm to link the severity of distracted driving crashes with the contributing factors collected in crash data, (3) investigating the observable characteristics of distracted …